Tharo Systems H-427 User manual

Covers: H-427, H-436, H-626, H-634,
V-424 Plus and V-434 Plus
User's Manual
for Wired
& Wireless
Ethernet Interface/Print Servers
December 2009 Revision

1. PRODUCT OVERVIEW................................................................................ 3
1-1. General Description .................................................................................................................................... 3
1-2. Print Server Specifications.......................................................................................................................... 3
1-3. Wireless LAN Module Specifications .......................................................................................................... 5
1-4. Product CD ................................................................................................................................................. 5
2. THE NETPS CONTROL CENTER ............................................................... 6
2-1. Install the NetPS Control Center Software ................................................................................................. 6
2-2. Using the NetPS Control Center Software ................................................................................................. 6
2-3. NetPS Control Center Software Main Menu............................................................................................... 7
3. NETWORK CONFIGURATION .................................................................... 8
3-1. Installing a Windows Printer Driver............................................................................................................. 8
3-2. Connecting the Printer to your Network...................................................................................................... 8
3-3. Assigning an IP Address to the Print Server .............................................................................................. 8
3-3-1. Preliminary Notes....................................................................................................................... 8
3-3-2. Setting the IP Address Using the NetPS Control Center Software ......................................... 10
3-3-3. Setting the IP Address Using the Print Server’s Web Pages .................................................. 12
3-4. Wireless Connection ................................................................................................................................. 14
3-4-1. Preliminary Notes..................................................................................................................... 14
3-4-2. Wireless Configuration Using the NetPS Control Center Software ......................................... 15
3-4-3. Wireless Configuration Using the Print Server’s Web Page.................................................... 17
4. THE PRINT SERVER’S WEB PAGES ....................................................... 22
4-1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 22
4-2. Using the Print Server’s Web Pages ........................................................................................................ 22
4-2-1. The Print Server's Status Page................................................................................................ 22
4-2-2. Server Configuration ................................................................................................................ 23
5. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................... 30
5-1. FAQ........................................................................................................................................................... 30
5-2. Firewall...................................................................................................................................................... 30
7. UPGRADE FIRMWARE ............................................................................. 32

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1. Product Overview
1-1. General Description
The Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server is an optional Ethernet Adaptor that connects your
Tharo Label Printer to a Local Area Network (LAN). There is also an Ethernet Interface Adaptor
Card/Print Server that includes a wireless Module that will allow you to connect your Tharo Label Printer
to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Both devices provide the following features and benefits:
Reliability: The Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server provides a high performance and
reliable method to transfer data to your Tharo Label Printer.
Flexibility: This Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server can be used in all major computer
systems and environments.*
Easy to Use: The Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server is easy to install, operate and
manage.
Security: Use an administrator name and password to prevent unauthorized changes.
Monitoring: The Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server’s web pages and software allow you to
continuously monitor the status of the connected printer.
Upgradeable: The Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server’s firmware can be upgraded over the
network. This allows you to quickly take advantage of any operational enhancements by updating the
Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server’s firmware remotely.
* A Windows based system is still required for the initial setup using the NetPS Control Center Software.
NOTE: For the rest of this manual the Ethernet Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server will be
referred to as “Print Server”
NOTE: It is NOT POSSIBLE to add the Wireless Module to an existing Ethernet Interface
Adaptor Card/Print Server! If you feel you may need the Wireless Module, buy the Ethernet
Interface Adaptor Card/Print Server with the Wireless Module. The Wireless Module can NOT
be added on later.
NOTE: To fully benefit from this document, you should be familiar with basic networking
principles.
NOTE: The instructions described in this manual are based on the default parameters of a
new Ethernet Interface Card/Print Server. It is possible to restore the device to the factory
default parameters, see the “Restore Factory Defaults” section for details. 1-2. Print Server
Specifications

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1-2. Print Server Specifications
I
IT TE EM M D De es sc cr ri ip pt ti io on n
CPU 32-bits RDC(x86), 133 MHz
SDRAM 4 Megabytes
Flash Memory 2 Megabytes
Connector RJ-45 Connector
Standard IEEE 802.3 10/100Base-Tx
Protocol ARP, IP, UDP, TCP, HTTP, DHCP, FTP, SNMP, SMTP
Server TCP Server ; UDP Server
Setup HTTP Browser Setup (IE & Netscape)
ETHERNET
Security Setup Password & Connection Password
Connector Dual row 8-pin header
USB Port Standard USB 2.0 Host mode, Full-Speed (12 Mbit/s)
POWER DC 5V, 300mA
LED LAMP SYS(PWR) , LAN --100 Mbit/s, LAN – 10 Mbit/s
ENVIRONMENT Operating Temperature: 0
° ~50 °
Storage Temperature: -10 ° ~70 °
DIMENSIONS 95 x 51.5 x 20 mm ( W x D x H )
WEIGHT 100 grams
OTHERS Watch Dog Function, Update Firmware via Ethernet interface
USB Port connector pin assignment:
Pin 1 Vbus Pin 3 D+ Pin 5 +5V Pin 7 +5V(RLY)
Pin 2 GND Pin 4 D- Pin 6 GND Pin 8 GND

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1-3. Wireless LAN Module Specifications
I
IT TE EM M D De es sc cr ri ip pt ti io on n
CPU 32-bits RDC(x86) , 133 MHz, miniPCI
SDRAM 16 Megabytes
Flash Memory 2 Megabytes
Standard IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4GHz, DSSS
Data Speed 802.11b : 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbit/s
802.11g : 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbit/s
Network Infrastructure, Ad-Hoc
TX Power 802.11b : ~15 dBm; 802.11g : ~12 dBm
RX Sensitivity
802.11b : -80 dBm@11 Mbit/s, Packed Error Rate 8%
802.11g : -65 dBm @ 54 Mbit/s, PER 10%
Protocol ARP, IP, UDP, TCP, HTTP, DHCP, FTP, SNMP, SMTP
Server TCP Server ; UDP Server
Security 802.11b : WEP64-128bit
802.11g : WPA
Setup HTTP Browser Setup (IE & Netscape)
Wireless LAN
Security Setup Password & Connection Password
Connector RJ-45 Connector
Standard IEEE 802.3 10/100Base-TxEthernet
Function Wireless LAN setup configuration and an alternative to the Wireless LAN
Connector Dual row 8-pin header connector
USB Port Standard Host mode, Full-Speed (12 Mbit/s)
POWER DC 5V, 500mA
LED LAMP SYS(PWR), LAN/WLAN
ENVIRONMENT Operating Temperature: 0
° ~45 °
Storage Temperature: -10 ° ~70 °
DIMENSIONS 95 x 70 x 20 mm ( W x D x H )
WEIGHT 185 grams
OTHERS Watch Dog Function, Update Firmware via Ethernet interface
USB Port connector pin assignment:
Pin 1 Vbus Pin 3 D+ Pin 5 +5V Pin 7 +5V(RLY)
Pin 2 GND Pin 4 D- Pin 6 GND Pin 8 GND
1-4. Product CD
The Ethernet folder on the Printer Accessory CD contains the easy-to-use NetPS Control Center software and
this User’s Manual. The NetPS Control Center software can also be downloaded from our website
www.tharo.com.

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2. The NetPS Control Center
The NetPS (Network Print Server) Control Center Software MUST be used for the initial configuration of the
Print Server. Once the initial configuration is completed you may use the NetPS Control Center or the Print
Server’s web pages to make changes to the configuration.
2-1. Install the NetPS Control Center Software
1. Place the CD in the CD/DVD-ROM drive of your PC.
2. Open the "Ethernet" folder and double-click "Setup_Control_Center.exe" to install the program.
3. After the installation is complete, double-click the "Control Center" icon to start the program.
2-2. Using the NetPS Control Center Software
The main interface of the NetPS Control Center Software has 3 functions:
1. Refresh Server List: performs and a search of the network for Tharo Printers with Print Servers.
2. Go to Homepage: opens the web page of the selected Print Server.
3. Configure Server: configures the selected Printer Server.
NOTE: You can double-click on the selected Print Server to get the “Configure Server” function.
You can also right-click the mouse button on the selected Print Server to get the “Configure
Server” and “Go to Homepage” functions.
Displaying Print Server Status
Start the NetPS Control Center Software and click on one of the Print Servers for information such as: Server
Information, TCP/IP status and Supported Protocols.
Print Server Configuration
Click the “Configure Server” button to configure the selected print Server. Then enter an administrator ID and
password to login.

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•TCP/IP: You will need to configure the Print Server’s TCP/IP to connect to your network. See the
“Network Configuration” section of this manual for more details.
•Wireless: You will need to configure the Wireless LAN Module to connect to your network using
the Print Server's wireless interface. See the “Wireless Connection” section of this manual for more
details.
2-3. NetPS Control Center Software Main Menu
The main menu of the NetPS Control Center software has the following selections:
•System Menu: Select the "Exit" to close the Control Center Software.
•Tools Menu: Select "Configuration" to configure the NetPS Control Center Software. The
configuration includes Print Server information and settings and language settings.
•Help Menu: Displays the version number of the NetPS Control Center Software.
Closing the NetPS Control Center Software
There are two ways to close the NetPS Control Center Software. The first is clicking the “X” box (close box) at
the top right corner of the window. The second method is to choose “Exit” from the “System” menu in the
NetPS Control Center Software.

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3. Network Configuration
3-1. Installing a Windows Printer Driver
If you will be printing using a Windows driver you should install it first. If you will be printing with a labelling
application like EASYLABEL you will not need a Windows driver. Follow these steps to install the driver.
1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Printers and Faxes.
2. Double click Add Printer to start the Add Printer Wizard, and then click Next.
3. Click Local printer, clear the 'Automatically detect and the install my Plug-n-Play printer' check box to avoid
having to wait for the completion of a printer search and then click Next.
4. Browse to and select the Windows driver for your printer. Click Next.
5. Choose whether you want to share the printer with other network users and if you wish to print a test page.
Select the appropriate radio buttons and click Next
6. Click Finish to close the Wizard.
3-2. Connecting the Printer to your Network
1. Turn the printer off.
2. Connect the printer to the network using a category 5 RJ-45 cable.
3. Turn the printer on and make sure the LCD says “Ready to Print”.
3-3. Assigning an IP Address to the Print Server
3-3-1. Preliminary Notes
Methods for Setting the IP Address
You can set the IP address of your Print Server using one of the following methods, depending on your
network operating environment:
•Automatic IP Address Assignment -- If you have a DHCP server on your network, your Print Server
will receive an IP address automatically. The IP address will be shown in the list of Print Servers in
the NetPS Control Center Software and on the Print Server's General Configuration web page.
•Manual IP Address Assignment -- If you are not working in a DHCP network, you must manually
set the Server’s IP address.
Ethernet Address
You do not need to know the Ethernet address of your Print Server for assigning an IP address to it. The
NetPS Control Center Software will automatically search for Print Servers and list their Ethernet addresses.
IP Address
Unless you are assigning an IP address using DHCP, you must obtain an unused IP address from your
network administrator.
Print Server Names and print Server Name Rules

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The default name of the Print Server is “USB-LAN” or “USB-WLAN”. If you connect two or more Print Servers
to your local area network you will have to change the server names by using the NetPS Control Center
Software or the Print Server’s web pages. The Print Server only uses the first 15 characters of the Server
name.

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3-3-2. Setting the IP Address Using the NetPS Control Center Software
1. When you start the NetPS Control Center Software it will automatically search your network for compatible
Print Servers.
2. Select the Print Server you want to configure from the list of found Print Servers
3. Double-click the name of the highlighted Print Server. You will be prompted for a Username (default:
admin) and Password (default: admin).
4. Select TCP/IP from the Print Server’s menu. The Set IP Address dialog will be displayed.

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5. Click “Static” to use static IP addressing or “Dynamic” to use DHCP. When assigning a static IP address
you must also define a Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. If you choose to use DHCP, you can specify a
DNS by clicking the Manual DNS button and manually assigning the DNS the Print Server should use.
6. Click Apply to save your settings and the Print Server will reboot.
7. The configuration of the Print Server's IP address is complete.

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3-3-3. Setting the IP Address Using the Print Server’s Web Pages
1. Open a Web browser and type the IP address of the Print Server in the address bar.
2. You can also open the Print Server's Web Page from within the NetPS Control Center Software. Select the
Print Server you want to configure and then click the “Go to Homepage” Icon.
3. Click "Login" to log in.
4. You will be prompted for a Username (default: admin) and Password (default: admin). Then click the Login
button.
5. You will be presented with the Print Server's Status page.

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6. Click "Configuration".
6. Click “TCP/IP”.
7. Click “Static” to use static IP addressing or “Dynamic” to use DHCP. When assigning a static IP address
you must also define a Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. If you choose to use DHCP, you can specify a
DNS by clicking the Manual DNS button and manually assigning the DNS the Print Server should use.

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Click Submit to save your settings and the Print Server will reboot. You have now successfully finished setting
the IP address.
3-4. Wireless Connection
3-4-1. Preliminary Notes
Before you can access a wireless network the wireless parameters need to be set correctly. You must set up
the wireless parameters through the wired LAN connection.
Wireless access can be set as:
1. Infrastructure (station) mode, which needs an access point to route network messages, or
2. Ad-hoc mode, which connects 2 nearby wireless PC/devices with the same SSID (Service Set ID).
When changing security related parameters, the Print Server should be changed first and the wireless access
point should be changed second. That is because if you change the wireless access point first and your
changes cause a loss of communications you will have to re-attach the LAN connection to modify them on the
Print Server. Modifying the Print Server first prevents this.
NOTE: In infrastructure mode, the maximal transfer rate is 54 MBit/s depending on the
capability of the wireless access point. In ad-hoc mode, the maximal transfer rate is 11 Mbit/s
(802.11b).

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3-4-2. Wireless Configuration Using the NetPS Control Center Software
1. When you start the NetPS Control Center Software it will automatically search your network for compatible
Print Servers.
NOTE: If the wireless parameters are not set correctly, you have to use the wired LAN
interface to access the Print Server.
2. Select the Print Server you want to configure from the list of found Print Servers.
3. To change the configuration of the selected Print Server, click the “Configure Server” button. You can also
you can double-click the name of the highlighted Print Server.

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4. You will be prompted for a Username (default: admin) and Password (default: admin).
5. Select 'Wireless' from the Print Server's menu.
6. Consult with your network administrator for the appropriate settings for: network type (infrastructure or ad-
hoc), SSID, and the correct security information.
NOTE: Wireless security can set to WEP64, WEP128, or WPA-PSK/TKIP.
7. If the wireless network is secured using the WEP64 or WEP128 authentication method, you will need to set
the key index (Key 1, Key 2, Key 3 or Key 4), and enter the WEP key string.
8. If the wireless network is secured using WPA-PSK/TKIP you will need to set the shared key correctly.
NOTE: The use of WPA-PSK/TKIP is not supported in ad-hoc mode.

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9. Click 'Apply' to save your settings and the Print Server will reboot.
10. This completes the configuration of the Print Server's wireless LAN interface.
3-4-3. Wireless Configuration Using the Print Server’s Web Page
NOTE: The Print Server's web page interface is not available for the initial setup of the Print
Server. You must use the NetPS Control Center Software for the initial setup of the Print Server.
1. Open a Web browser and type the IP address of the Print Server in the address bar.

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2. You can also open the Print Server's Web Page from within the NetPS Control Center Software. Select the
Print Server you want to configure and then click the “Go to Homepage” Icon.
NOTE: If the wireless parameters are not set correctly, you have to use the wired LAN interface to
access the Network Printer Server.
3. Click "Login" to log in.

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4. You will be prompted for a Username (default: admin) and Password (default: admin). Then click the Login
button.
5. You will be presented with the Print Server's General Configuration page.
6. Click "Configuration".
7. Click "WLAN".

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8. Consult with your network administrator for the appropriate settings for: network type (infrastructure or ad-
hoc), SSID, and the correct security information.
NOTE: Wireless security can set to WEP64, WEP128, or WPA-PSK/TKIP.
9. If the wireless network is secured using the WEP64 or WEP128 authentication method, you will need to set
the key index (Key 1, Key 2, Key 3 or Key 4), and enter the WEP key string.
10. If the wireless network is secured using WPA-PSK/TKIP you will need to set the shared key correctly.
NOTE: The use of WPA-PSK/TKIP is not supported in ad-hoc mode.
11. Click 'Submit' to save your settings and the Print Server will reboot.