Lantronix xPrintServer User manual

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BETA USER’S GUIDE:
Network Edition
“The Plug-and-Print Solution for your iOS® Devices”
This Reviewer’s Guide is designed to help you evaluate the Lantronix xPrintServer.
©2 11 Lantronix, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lantronix and xPrintServer are registered trademarks of Lantronix, Inc. iPad, iPhone, iPod, iPod
classic, iPod nano, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks and trade
names are the property of their respective holders.

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Table of Contents
IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE USING YOUR XPRINTSERVER…..………………………………………………………3
INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
1.1 What it is
1.2 arket Background
1.3 Competitive Landscape
KEY PRODUCT FEATURES………………………………………………….……………………………………………………….5
SUPPORTED PRINTERS and BROWSERS……………………………………………………………………………………..6
LED STATUS and DEFINITIONS……………………………………………………………………………………….…………..7
FACTORY DEFAULTS, TOPOLOGY SUPPORT and ADDITIONAL INFORMATION….…………………….…..8
SETUP OF xPRINTSERVER..………………………………………………………………………………………………..….……8
GETTING STARTED – HOW TO PRINT……………………………………………….……………………………………..….9
KEY POINTS FOR OUR PRODUCT REVIEWERS…………………………………………………………...………………..9
CONTACT INFORMATION……………………………………………..…………………………………………...………….…1

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*********** IMPORTA T – PLEASE FOLLOW THIS FIRST STEP ***********
This is a BETA version of the xPrintServer.
As such, we would like to ensure you have the latest version of firmware loaded on the device.
Before you begin printing with your xPrintServer, please follow these instructions:
Updating Firmware
Note: Internet access is required for firmware updates.
1. Login to the xPrintServer user interface (see Logging In).
2. Click the Admin tab to access the Admin page.
3. Click the Firmware link on the left side of the page. The firmware you are currently
running will display.
4. Click the Check for Firmware Update button to check if a firmware update is available at
this time. After a few seconds, you will receive one of two messages:
5. “Firmware update is available” indicating you may proceed to step 5.
6. “You are running the latest version of the firmware” indicating no firmware update is
necessary at this time.
7. Click Upgrade Firmware. Wait a few minutes while firmware upgrades. When the
upgrade is complete, the xPrintServer device will automatically restart, bringing you
back to the Home page.

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1. I TRODUCTIO
1.1 What is the “xPrintServer”?
xPrintServer is an easy-to-use, affordable ‘plug and print’ hardware solution for virtually
any Apple® iOS device. The first print server of its kind, xPrintServer enables printing
from iOS AirPrint-enabled apps, such as Safari, Notes, Keynote, Pages, ail, iPhotos,
iBooks and more – right from the native print menu on your Apple device. To use
xPrintServer, there is no need to install any printer drivers or download applications to
the iOS device. All you need to do is open the box, plug it into a network where your
network printers reside and print!
Note: xPrintServer and your printer(s) must be on same IP subnet for ‘plug-and-print’
operations. The xPrintServer supports an easy to use GUI that allows configuration of
printers that are accessible on different IP subnets.
1.2 Market Backgro nd
There are 73+ million iPads users around the world
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(5 % of whom use it for business
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),
who are frustrated with the lack of an easy to use, low cost printing solution. This
customer problem is will continue to grow, especially as iPad adoption rapidly
increases:
• 92% of Fortune 5 companies are or will have deployed iPads by end of
calendar 2 11
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;
• 8 +% of the top hospitals in the U.S. are currently testing /piloting iPads.
As business adoption increases, so does the challenge faced by IT departments on how
to identify, deploy and manage iOS (and specifically iPad) device printing throughout
the extended organization.
Factors Driving Current Growth:
• Mobility – Worldwide push toward “all things mobile”
• Tablets trending to cannibalize 15-2 % of the PC market in 2 11
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• iOS tablets (iPads) represent over 95% of total tablet activations in CY’11 Q2
• Ease-of-use
• Consumer-adoption of iPad (and all tablets) are driving need for IT to support it
1
Apple. Apple website Sept 2 11 (from earnings release).
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ZDNet. September 19,2 11. “SAP CIO on Tablets & Mobile Strategy for Enterprise.”
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Apple. Oct 4, 2 11 iOS5 Announcement / press release.
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IDC. IDC as quoted in “The Guardian” Sept 2 11 – “IDC follows Gartner in cutting PC sales growth forecast.”

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1.3 Competitive Landscape
At time of launch (December 2 11), no direct (hardware/print server) competition
exists for the xPrintServer.
Current competition exists in related categories:
1. The App Approach:
a. Direct Printing Apps – Free and paid apps that allow for printing directly to a
Wi-Fi enabled printer (examples = Canon’s Easy Photo-Print for iPhone; HP’s
iPrint Photo app).
i. Issue = limits you to these particular printers, especially troublesome for
enterprises who have existing investments in legacy printers.
b. Printing-to-Shared Printers – Still app-based, searches a Wi-Fi network for
Macs (not PCs) with shared printers.
i. Issue = limited to Mac users.
c. “Other Apps” – Dozens, if not more, apps that don’t talk directly to printers,
but to a server that is run in the background on a Mac or PC, to connect to
printers attached to the specific machine you’re on.
i. Issue = user has to leave the program in which they’re interacting (such
as email, web-browsing, Word or PowerPoint files, etc.).
2. iOS / AirPrint Printers
a. New printers being brought out by major manufacturers (HP, Epson) that are
designed specifically for the iPad.
i. Issue = Users can spend a minimum of $99. + for each new printer. In
a corporate environment, it’s not cost effective or practical to buy,
deploy and support.
3. The “Work-around” Approach:
a. Sync your docs back to your Mac or PC, and print then print. (Technically, not
even “iPad printing”.)
i. Issue = It’s time consuming, and the user has to have a desktop or
laptop available at all times for printing.
2. KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
• No ‘app’ or additional software or downloads required
• Simple configuration
• Auto printer discovery (for supported printers)
• Translation of iOS format to printer-specific PDL (Page Description Language)
• Security features
• Support for network-attached printers
• External LED status indicator
• Configuration via browser (HTTP)

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3. SUPPORTED iOS DEVICES
xPrintServer supports all newer generation Apple devices with iOS 4.2 and later, including:
• iOS 4.2 or later
• iPad and iPad2
• iPhone (3GS or later)
• iPod Touch (3
rd
generation or later)
4. SUPPORTED PRI TERS & PRI TER PROTOCOLS
The xPrintServer-Network Edition only supports network-attached (either wired or wireless)
printers with one of the following printing protocols:
• JetDirect (also known as AppSocket)
• LPD
• IPP
The xPrintServer supports thousands of printer models* from manufacturers including:
• HP
• Toshiba
• Canon
• Lexmark
• Xerox
• Epson
*Note: Due to the tens of thousands of printer models in market, Lantronix will continue to add new
models to the support printers list – if you have a printer that appears to not be supported, simply
email us the brand and model number at [e-mail].
5. DHCP CO FIGURATIO
xPrintServer requires DHCP configuration.
6. SUPPORTED BROWSERS
The following browsers will be supported:
• Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 8. or higher)
• Firefox (version 7. or higher)
• Safari (version 5. or higher)
• Chrome (version 14. or higher)

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7. LEDs
LEDs are located in two places on the xPrintServer device, and provide information about
device activity and status.
Ethernet LEDs. There are two “Ethernet LEDs” located on the upper left and right corners of
the Ethernet port: One yellow when lit, and the other green. The display and pattern of
each LED provides specific status information for the network connection:
Ethernet
LEDs
Description
Solid
Yellow
Indicates that a link to the Ethernet is established
Flashing Yellow
Indicates activity
Solid Green
Indicates an Ethernet connection speed between 1 and 1 Mbps
Green Off
Indicates an Ethernet connection speed of up to 1 Mbps
Status LED. The “Status LED” on the xPrintServer device is incorporated in the “x” letter of the
Lantronix logo on the top of the device. The Status LED is orange when lit, and specific display
patterns indicates specific status and activity. The LED may display a solid light, display no
light, slowly glow on, slowly glow off, or flash on/off. The status of the device is
communicated by following the specific glow and flash patterns and number of cycles.
Status
LED
Description
Solid Orange
Indicates the power is ON or the device is booting
Off
Indicates the power is OFF
Glow On
–
Dim Off
(repeating pattern)
Repeating pattern of glowing on to glowing off cycle occurring once
every three (3) seconds indicates the device is booted and IDLE
Fast and Flashing
Indicates activity in progress (i.e., actively printing a print job)

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8. RESTORI G FACTORY DEFAULTS
You can reset the xPrintServer to factory default settings. The Reset button is on the
bottom of the device and is accessible through a “pin hole” in the case. To reset the unit to
factory defaults, perform the following steps:
Step 1: Place the end of a paperclip or similar object into the reset opening (pin-sized hole
on the bottom of the device) and press for a minim m of ten (10) seconds;
Step 2: Remove the paperclip to release the button. The firmware restores the factory
default settings to the configuration and reboots the unit.
9. TOPOLOGY SUPPORT
The xPrintServer is hardwired (via standard CAT-5) cabling to a router, switch or hub. The
system requires an Access Point be also hardwired to the network and communicating on
the same subnet . The IOS devices associate with the A/P and communicate to the
xPrintServer when a print job is ready to be processed. The xPrintServer communicates to
network attached printer(s); the printers may either be hardwired or wireless connected to
the network.
The printer and xPrintServer do not need to be on the same subnet, however, the
xPrintServer will not be able to auto-detect printers outside of the subnet to which it is
connected. However printers on different subnets can be configured via the xPrintServer
easy to use Web GUI.
The xPrintServer uses Zeroconf to advertise print services to the IOS device(s) and requires
either one or both of the following:
• Both the IOS device and the xPrintServer are on the same subnet.
• The IOS device and xPrintServer are on different subnets but multicast traffic is
communicated between the subnets.
10. PRODUCT I FORMATIO & ADDRESSES
Obtaining your xPrintServer product information and other identifying information such as the
IP address or serial number of your network devices may be helpful when setting up your
xPrintServer. This information may also be needed if you contact Lantronix technical support.
11. SETUP OF xPRI TSERVER
• Open your xPrintServer box.
• Remove the contents (xPrintServer, power cord, and RJ45 cable)
• Plug the power cord into the xPrintServer, then to the outlet for power
» The orange “x” will illuminate
• Plug the RJ45 cable into your xPrintServer
• Plug the other end of the RJ45 cable anywhere in your network / LAN
» The device will auto discover and auto provision your networked-enabled
printers, and the Lantronix “X” will pulse orange when it’s ready to print!

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12. HOW TO PRI T
13. KEY POI TS FOR OUR REVIEWERS:
• You are reviewing the xPrintServer-Network Edition
• This edition is for networked-printers only, not for USB printers.
• This is a BETA version:
o Your product packaging (black product box) is beta;
o The xPrintServer device is beta (both the hardware and software);
o We will continue to add support for printers – if your printer doesn’t appear to
be supported, simply email us the brand and model at
[email protected] and we’ll do our best to provide immediate
support.
• Theoretically, xPrintServer can support an almost unlimited number of concurrent
printers on the network. However, for optimal performance we recommend one (1)
xPrintServer for every 5-1 network printers.

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14. CO TACT I FORMATIO & ADDITIO AL DOCUME TATIO
Technical Support for Product Reviewers:
Lantronix, Inc. – Technical Support Team
Tel: (8 ) 422-7 44
Marketing, Distribution & Company Contact:
For marketing inquiries, sales or distribution questions, or for additional documentation
(Product Brief, Quick Start Guide, High-res Product Photos, Video, or Technical Docs)
please contact:
Mark Tullio, Senior Director of arketing
Lantronix, Inc.
Direct: 949.453.7124
Mobile: [phone]
[email protected]