Black Box Peripheral Sharer 2 to 1 User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2000. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

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SUPPORT
INFORMATION
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SEPTEMBER 2000
PI138A
PI138AE
PI140A
PI140AE
Peripheral Sharer 2 to 1
Peripheral Sharer 4 to 1
STATUS
PERIPHERAL SHARER
SELECT
4
3
1
2
STATUS
PERIPHERAL SHARER
SELECT
2
1

3
FCC STATEMENT
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of
Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required
to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.
This unit is CE certified.

4
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como
sea recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de
calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos
(incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.

5
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo
del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en
el aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo
a las recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos
de las lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo
no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del
aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio
en su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

6
Peripheral Sharer
TRADEMARKS
Hewlett-Packard®, HP®, and LaserJet®are registered trademarks
of Hewlett-Packard.
Lexmark™is a trademark of Lexmark International.
Velcro®is a registered trademark of Velcro USA Inc.
Microsoft®and Windows®are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All applied-for and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

7
Peripheral Sharer
Contents
1. Specifications ....................................................................................................8
2. Introduction....................................................................................................10
2.1 Key Features............................................................................................10
2.2 Package Contents ...................................................................................10
3. Installation ......................................................................................................12
3.1 Cables ......................................................................................................12
3.2 Mounting the Peripheral Sharer ...........................................................12
3.3 Connecting Your Devices .......................................................................12
3.4 Configuring the Peripheral Sharer .......................................................12
3.5 Configuring Your PC..............................................................................13
3.6 Installing the Software............................................................................13
4. Using the Peripheral Sharer ...........................................................................14
4.1 Power-On Status......................................................................................14
4.2 Front-Panel Key ......................................................................................14
4.3 Modes of Operation ...............................................................................15
4.4 Status Display ..........................................................................................15
5. Application-Specific Instructions...................................................................17
5.1 Printer Sharing .......................................................................................17
5.2 Sharing Parallel Port Tape Backup Drives............................................18
5.3 Sharing a Printer and a Tape Backup Drive .........................................19
5.4 Sharing a Parallel Port CD-ROM Drive .................................................19
6. Software Utilities.............................................................................................22
6.1 SMART.EXE............................................................................................22
6.2 SMARTCON.EXE...................................................................................23
6.3 DOWNLOAD.EXE .................................................................................24
Appendix A: Cables .............................................................................................25
A.1 PC To Peripheral Sharer Cable.............................................................25
A.2 Peripheral Sharer to Printer Cable.......................................................25
A.3 IEEE 1284 Compliant Cables ................................................................25
A.4 Data Boosters..........................................................................................25
Appendix B: HP LaserJet 4 Series Printers .......................................................26
B.1 Operation Under DOS ..........................................................................26
B.2 Operation Under Windows ...................................................................27
Appendix C: Lexmark 4039 Printer ..................................................................29
Appendix D: Lexmark WinWriter 600 ..............................................................30
Appendix E: HP LaserJet 5 Printers ..................................................................31
Appendix F: HP DeskJet 600 and 800 Printers .................................................33
Appendix G: Troubleshooting...........................................................................35

8
Peripheral Sharer
exceeding 500,000 characters per
second (4 Mbps) are supported.
Connectors—PI138A, PI138AE:
(3) DB25 female: (2) bidirectional
parallel ports for connection to
PCs, (1) bidirectional parallel port
for connection to peripherals;
PI140A, PI140AE: (5) DB25
female: (4) bidirectional parallel
ports for connection to PCs,
(1) bidirectional parallel port for
connection to peripherals.
Operation —Can be used in auto-
scan mode, manual select mode,
or software-controlled mode.
Keypad — Used to select auto-scan
mode, destination or toggle
between manually selected ports.
Status Display — 7-segment display
shows auto-scan mode, auto-
matically selected port, manually
selected port and data flow. LED
indicates output channel A/B
selected.
Options — Timeout options of 20
seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, or
4 minutes. Normal or high scan
rates. Stored in EEPROM and
retained when power is off. Can
be changed using download
program provided. Default
options can be selected by
1. Specifications
General Compatibility — Can be
used with most devices that attach
to PC parallel ports (with the aid
of the SMARTLOG program
supplied). Only one user has
access to the shared peripheral at
a time. Dongles may only be
shared in strict accordance with
software license agreements.
Printer Compatibility — DOS,
Windows®, and graphics printing
from all types of PCs; all printers
with unidirectional (Centronics®
compatible) parallel ports;
printers with bidirectional and
BOISE parallel ports; GDI
printers.
Tape-Drive Compatibility — Tape
drives that attach to PC parallel
ports; tape-drive macros and
scheduled macros that run from
the DOS prompt.
CD-ROM Compatibility — CD-
ROM drives that attach to PC
parallel ports with drivers that
can be loaded from the DOS
prompt.
Performance — Data-transfer rates

9
Peripheral Sharer
holding down key when
powering on the unit.
Software — Supplied on a 3.5" PC
disk (virus-checked). Contains
the following software utilities:
SMARTKEY: DOS and Windows
peripheral-selection software.
SMARTLOG: Windows CD-
ROM/tape-drive selection
software.
DOWNLOAD: Used to update
the unit’s EEPROM options.
Cable Types —
PC to Peripheral Sharer: DB25
male connectors on both ends,
shielded, pinned straight-
through (part number EQN200).
Peripheral Sharer to Printer: DB25
male to 36-pin male printer cable,
shielded, all ground lines
connected (part number
EQN202).
Peripheral Sharer to Other Devices:
Use PC to Peripheral Sharer
cable.
Cable Lengths — Lengths supported
vary considerably with cable type
and PC/peripheral specifications.
IEEE 1284 twisted-pair cables
and high-quality cables generally
support longer distances.
Maximum recommended cable
lengths are:
PC to Peripheral Sharer: 32.8 ft.
(10 m) for printers, 22.9 ft.
(7 m) for tapes/CD-ROMs.
Peripheral Sharer to Peripheral:
6.5 ft. (2 m)
Power — 115 or 230-VAC, 5 VDC,
500 mA
Size — 3.7"H x 8.5"W x 1"D
(9.5 x 21.5 x 2.5 cm)

10
Peripheral Sharer
Weight — 1.2 lb. (0.5 kg)
global timeout and scan-rate
options.
2.2 Package Contents
• Peripheral Sharer 2 to 1
or Peripheral Sharer 4 to 1
• 115 VAC (PI140A) or 230-VAC
(PI140AE) power supply
• Software disk (3.5" format,
virus-checked)
• This user manual
2. Introduction
The Peripheral Sharer is a high-
performance parallel-device sharer
suitable for sharing printers, tape
backups, certain CD-ROMs, and
other devices that attach to PC
parallel ports.
2.1 Key Features
• High-performance fully bi-
directional parallel ports.
• Automatic printer sharing and
tape-backup sharing.
• Data-transfer speeds in excess of
500,000 cps are supported.
• Automatic (auto-scan) or manual
port selection.
• Exclusive peripheral use can be
selected via DOS or Windows
software.
• Status indicator shows data flow
and port status.
• Download program for changing

2
1
STATUS
SELECT
11
Peripheral Sharer
Figure 2-2. Peripheral Sharer 4 to 1.
43
2
1
STATUS
SELECT
Parallel ports for
connection to PCs
Parallel port for
connection to PC
Parallel port for
connection to
peripheral
Parallel port for
connection to
peripheral
Power supply
connector
(5 VDC, 200 mA)
Power supply
connector
(5 VDC, 200 mA)
Mode/port
selection key
Mode/port
selection key
Port status and
data activity
display
Port status and
data activity
display
Figure 2-1. Peripheral Sharer 2 to 1.

12
Peripheral Sharer
3. Installation
NOTE
Use shielded cables for all
connections to the Peri-
pheral Sharer 4 to 1. Using
unshielded cables may
cause unreliable operation.
3.4 Configuring the Peripheral Sharer
You do not normally need to
configure the Peripheral Sharer. Its
factory-set timeout value of 20
seconds is suitable for almost all
applications. You can change this
default if required by using the
download program supplied (see
Section 6.3).
3.1 Cables
Choose a site for the Peripheral
Sharer that minimizes the overall
cable lengths. Cable specifications
and recommended maximum
lengths are given in Appendix A.
3.2 Mounting the Peripheral Sharer
The Peripheral Sharer can be used
on a desktop or mounted on a
vertical surface. To mount the unit
vertically, we recommend that you
use two Velcro®strips.
3.3 Connecting Your Devices
Make sure that the power is
disconnected from the Peripheral
Sharer. Connect the interface cables
as shown in Figure 2-1. Connect
ports 1 to 2 or 1 to 4 to your
computer parallel ports, and
connect the Peripheral Sharer’s
output port to your peripheral. You
do not need to connect all of the
computer ports (1 to 2 or 1 to 4).
Connect the Peripheral Sharer’s
power adapter to the mains and
power on by plugging the power
lead into the socket on the side of
the unit.

13
Peripheral Sharer
3.5 Configuring Your PC
Configure you PC in the same way
that you would if your peripheral was
connected directly to your PC’s
parallel port. We also recommend
that you add the following command
line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
(change LPT1 to LPT2 or LPT3 if
you are using the second or third
parallel port):
MODE LPT1:,,P
This is not strictly needed for most
PCs, but it provides full compatibility
with certain software packages on a
small number of PCs that are not
compatible automatically. You may
choose to skip this step and only
include this command line if you
experience printing problems (if
you get an off-line message reported
from a DOS package when the
printer is actually free, then you
should include the MODE
command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file).
The MODE program is supplied
with your PC’s DOS software.
3.6 Installing the Software
NOTE
You do not need to install
the Peripheral Sharer
software to use the Peri-
pheral Sharer 4 to 1 as an
automatic printer sharer.
This function is supported
automatically. However, if
you are using Microsoft
Windows, make sure that the
Print Manager is enabled.
The Peripheral Sharer has simple
software utilities that enhance the
functionality of the unit. These are
particularly useful for applications
that require uninterrupted use of
a peripheral, such as tape backup
systems and CD-ROMs. Refer to
Chapter 5 for detailed installation
instructions.

14
Peripheral Sharer
4. Using the Peripheral Sharer
4.2 Front-Panel Key
Use the front-panel key to select
auto-scan mode or to select a fixed
port manually. Pressing the key will
cause the mode to change as shown
in Figure 4-1 (4-port version). The
2-port version operates in a similar
way.
This section explains the general
operation of the Peripheral Sharer.
We recommend that you first read
this section and then read the sub-
section in Chapter 5 that covers your
specific application.
4.1 Power-On Status
At power on, the segments of the
status display will light in sequence
in a clockwise direction. This
indicates that the Peripheral Sharer
has powered on correctly and is in
auto-scan mode.
Auto-Scan
Press Key
Press
Key Press Key Press Key Press Key
1234
Figure 4-1. Selecting Auto-Scan Mode or a Fixed Port.

15
Peripheral Sharer
4.3 Modes of Operation
• Auto-scan mode — In this mode,
the Peripheral Sharer will
automatically connect your PC
to the peripheral when it detects
data activity. Your PC will also be
automatically disconnected
when there has been no data
activity for the timeout period
(normally 20 seconds).
• Manual mode — The peripheral
remains connected to the
displayed port until you press
the key to select another port or
auto-scan mode.
• Software-controlled mode — The
Peripheral Sharer can be
controlled by the PC software
supplied. This provides
compatibility with software
applications that require an
uninterrupted connection to the
peripheral while the software is
in use. It is particularly useful for
sharing tape-backup systems. See
Sections 5.2, 5.4, 6.1, and 6.2 for
further details.
4.4 Status Display
The status display shows the port
status and data flow.
In auto-scan mode (with no data
activity) the segments will light in
sequence in a clockwise direction.
When data activity is detected, the
port number will be displayed. The
number will flash to indicate that the
port has been selected automatically,
and the data light will flash as data is
being transferred. When there has
been no data activity for the timeout
period, the connection will be
broken and the display will revert
to lighting segments in sequence.
In manual mode, the selected port
number will be displayed
continuously.

16
Peripheral Sharer
Figure 4-2. Status Display.
DISPLAY SHOWS
Illuminated segment
shifts clockwise
Port number is
displayed and flashes
intermittently
Port number is
displayed and does not
flash
Dot in lower right hand
corner flashes
MEANING
Auto-scan mode:
Scanning ports,
waiting for data
activity
Auto-scan mode:
Peripheral is
connected to
displayed port and
connection will time
out
Manual mode:
Peripheral is not
connected to
displayed port and
will not time out
Data activity

17
Peripheral Sharer
5. Application-Specific Instructions
DOS P RINTING
Consider adding the MODE
LPT1:,,R command to your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file (see
Section 3.5).
P RINTERS WITH ENHANCED BI -
DIRECTIONAL PORT FEATURES
Detailed instructions on the use of
the following printers are given in
Appendixes B through D. Similar
instructions also apply to printers
with similar features. If you have a
printer with enhanced bi-directional
features, please read these sections.
• Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4
series—Appendix B
• Lexmark 4039—Appendix C
• Lexmark WinWriter 600—
Appendix D
5.1 Printer Sharing
(All unidirectional, bidirectional,
and GDI printers)
G ENERAL
Connect your PCs and printer as
recommended in Chapters 3 and 4.
From your PC, print as you would if
you were connected directly to the
printer. The Peripheral Sharer will
automatically connect your PC to the
printer. When your print job is
finished, the Peripheral Sharer will
wait until it has detected no data
transfer for the timeout period
(normally 20 seconds) and then
return to auto-scan mode.
Connections are made on a first-
come-first-served basis. If the printer
is in use and you are not using a
print spooler, you may get a “printer
off-line” message and have to wait
until the printer is free.
M ICROSOFT W INDOWS
Make sure that the Print Manager
is enabled.

18
Peripheral Sharer
5.2 Sharing Parallel-Port Tape-
Backup Drives
To use a tape backup drive with the
Peripheral Sharer, copy the program
SMART.EXE from the Peripheral
Sharer disk to a suitable directory on
your PC’s hard disk (for example,
your tape-backup directory could be
C:\BACKPACK).
SMART.EXE is a DOS program
that has been specifically designed
for use with tape-backup drives and
similar devices. It has three main
functions:
1. To establish a connection with
the tape drive before the tape-
drive software is run on your PC.
2. To make sure that the
connection does not time out in
the middle of a backup session.
3. To return the Peripheral Sharer
to auto-scan mode when the
backup has been completed so
that another PC can use the tape
drive.
Use SMART to run your tape
backup program. SMART will
automatically make a connection to
your tape drive, run your tape-
backup software, and break the
connection when the backup has
been completed. If the tape drive is
in use, SMART will continuously
retry until a connection is made or
the user selects abort. Consequently,
the Peripheral Sharer will support
unattended backups from several
PCs.
NOTE
Always use SMART to run
your tape-backup software.
Running your tape-backup
software directly from the
DOS prompt will not be
reliable.
If you have Windows based tape-
backup software, use the SMARTCON
program—see Section 6.2.
5.2.1 U SING SMART TO RUN YOUR TAPE
BACKUP SOFTWARE
Use the following command format
at the DOS prompt:
(dos path) SMART
(dos path)(backup program)
(LPT port)
where (backup program) is the
name of the backup program, (LPT
port) is either LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3,
and (dos path) is the DOS path. If
you omit the LPT port, then LPT1 is
assumed. Examples are:
SMART BPBACKUP
and
C:\BACKPACK\SMART
C:\BACKPACK\BPBACKUP
LPT1
To avoid typing in this command
line each time you run your tape-
backup software, you may wish to
create a batch file that contains this
command. If your PC does not have
enough memory to hold the SMART
program and the backup program,
you may use a batch file with SMART
ON and SMART OFF commands as
an alternative method that uses less
memory. See Section 6.1 for full
details.

19
Peripheral Sharer
5.2.2 U NATTENDED BACKUPS FROM
SEVERAL PC S
Most tape-backup drives support a
macro function that you can use to
perform regular unattended
backups. SMART allows you to
conveniently run a backup macro
from several PCs. For example you
could use the following command to
run the “DAILY” macro at the end of
each day. If another PC is currently
using the tape drive, SMART will
wait until the drive is free and then
perform the automatic backup.
SMART DAILY LPT2
5.2.3 S CHEDULED BACKUPS
Most good tape-backup drives
support a scheduled macro function
that you can use to perform regular
scheduled unattended backups.
Change the scheduled macro name
to the SMART command line. For
example, if the scheduled macro
name is WEEKLY then substitute
SMART WEEKLY LPT1.
If you do not have enough
memory to do this, create a batch
file as described in Section 6.1 and
change the macro name to the
batch-file name.
5.3 Sharing a Printer and a Tape-
Backup Drive
If your tape-backup drive has a feed-
through parallel port, then you can
use the Peripheral Sharer to share a
printer and a tape backup
automatically. Typically, the printer
would be shared during normal
office hours and the tape backup
would perform unattended backups
during the night. To share devices in
this way, connect the output from
the Peripheral Sharer to the tape-
backup unit and then connect the
printer to the feed-through port on
the back of the tape drive.
5.4 Sharing a Parallel-Port CD-ROM
Drive
5.4.1 I NSTALLING CD-ROM D RIVERS
The Peripheral Sharer will support
sharing of certain CD-ROM drives.
The following instructions explain the
principles behind sharing CD-ROM
drives using the Micro Solutions
BackPack drive as an example. The
exact installation details will vary
between CD-ROM devices, but a
similar installation process may
be used.
To install a shared CD-ROM, you
will need to be able to edit a DOS
batch file and have a basic under-
standing of the AUTOEXEC.BAT
and CONFIG.SYS files. Please refer
to your DOS manual if you require
further details.

20
Peripheral Sharer
To use a parallel-port CD-ROM, you
will need to install drivers on your PC.
For example: The BackPack driver has
two components, MSCDEX.EXE and
BPCDDRV.SYS, which are normally
loaded in the AUTOEXEC.BAT, and
CONFIG.SYS for a single-user system.
In a shared system you cannot install
the drivers in this way, since the
drivers have to communicate with
the CD-ROM before they will install
themselves correctly. Consequently,
if two PCs are switched on at the
same time, only one will gain access
to the CD-ROM, and the second will
not install the driver correctly. To
overcome this and make sure that
the drivers are installed correctly,
we recommend that you install the
drivers using a DOS batch file. You
can run this batch file from the DOS
prompt after you have switched on
your PC.
If your CD-ROM has a driver
component that is normally loaded
via the CONFIG.SYS file (for
example, BPCDDRV.SYS) you will
need to load this from the DOS
prompt. The CD-ROM drive’s
manufacturer will normally provide
a program to allow you to do this
(for the BackPack, the program is
DEVICE.COM).
The installation batch file will be
similar to that detailed below (an
example batch file stored as
CDROM.BAT on the Peripheral
Sharer disk). Modify this batch file
as necessary to install your CD-ROM
drivers. The batch file includes the
following steps:
1. Run SMART.EXE to establish a
guaranteed connection to the
Peripheral Sharer. This program
will continue trying to connect
until a connection is made or
until you press (A) for Abort. If
a connection cannot be made
(error level 1), then the batch
file will terminate, otherwise
the batch file will continue. The
following command assumes that
you have copied the program
SMART.EXE from the disk to
the directory C:\SMART.
C:\SMART\SMART ON LPT1
IF ERROR LEVEL 1 GOTO
TERMINATE
2. Install the CD-ROM drivers as
recommended by the CD-ROM
manufacturer. The example
BackPack commands are shown
below. They assume that the files
BPCDDRV.SYS, DEVICE.COM
and MSCDEX.EXE have been
copied to the directory
C:\BPCDROM. The first line
loads the driver BPCDDRV.SYS
and the second line loads the
driver MSCDEX if the
BPCDDRV.SYS driver has been
loaded successfully.
C:\BPCDROM\DEVICE=BPCDDRV.S
YS
IF EXIST BPCDDRV$
C:\BPCDROM\MSCDEX
/D:BPCDDRV$ /L:F
3. Return the Peripheral Sharer
to auto-scan mode using the
SMART.EXE program supplied.
C:\SMART\SMART OFF LPT1
4. Label the end of the batch file.
:TERMINATE