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Netport(R) Print Server (Original Ethernet Version): Update Information
UPDATING THE ORIGINAL ETHERNET NETPORT(R) PRINT SERVER TO V2.57
Update Information for Version 2.57
Note: If you received an upgrade packet (K8) for your NetPort(R) print
server (Original NetPort, not NetPort II), the diskettes may be
incorrectly labeled as NetPort II diskettes. The diskettes in question
marked "software part #303006-08" on the 5.25 inch disk, and "software
part #303003-008" on the 3.5" disk. Be assured that the software on the
diskettes is correct. Only the disk labels are in error.
For current information about the most recent Original Token Ring
NetPort update, download or connect to Intel's online services to obtain
document 6113.
Symptom
This is a maintenance update that primarily fixes a print server mode
connection problem with version 2.53. This does not add any
functionality to NetPort beyond the 2.53 release.
Solution
NetPort upgraded v2.53 (BackPort) is in Print Server mode. If a printer
attached to the NetPort is offline for about 15 minutes, the Novell
Watch Dog timer will break the connection. NPLIST reports that the
NetPort is in print server mode. NetPort never goes into the attaching
mode as it should. Pconsole's Currently Attached Servers is blank. A
reset is required to reconnect NetPort. This has been fixed.
Solution
* In print server mode the banner will print correctly if the queue
name and file server name is longer than 27 characters.
* NP2UPDAT.EXE has been improved to help prevent update failures.
* A problem with tab expansion has been corrected.
* NP2CON and NP2UPDAT replace NPCON and NPUPDATE
Because this update is based on the NetPort II code, the same utilities
work for NetPort II and this update. Therefore, NP2CON.EXE and
NP2UPDAT.EXE replace NPCON.EXE and NPUPDATE.EXE. This is convenient if
you have both the original NetPort and NetPort II on your network.
NPCON.EXE and NPUPDATE.EXE should not be used with NetPort II.
SERVERNAME= (PREFERRED SERVER) ***THIS IS A REQUIRED PARAMETER***
This new REQUIRED parameter is used to tell NetPort what server (file
server or Novell Pserver) it should associate with. This means NetPort
no longer searches all the servers on the network to look for its
configuration. Instead, it "attaches" to the server defined by the
SERVERNAME= option. Now, when no servername is specified, your NetPort
remains "AVAILABLE", and does not search through the servers on the
network. This ensures that NetPort will NOT disappear from your network
while it searches for its configuration.
For information on how to use this option, see the "CONFIGURING
NETPORT..." sections below.
Note: Do NOT give your Novell Pserver and file server the same name.
If you do have a Novell Pserver and a file server with the same name,
NetPort will not be configured as a print server even though you have
defined it as a print server and used the SERVERNAME= option to assign
NetPort to a specific file server.
Because NetPort checks for a Pserver match first, then tries to attach
as a remote printer to the Pserver, it finds a match with the Pserver
and does not try the file server with the same name.
Attaching mode
This functionality allows NetPort to dynamically reattach to the file
server or Pserver after the file server or Pserver is brought down and
back up. You do not have to reset the NetPort. NetPort also goes into
ATTACHING mode as it is attaching to the server as set by the
SERVERNAME= option.
If the NetPort cannot successfully attach to the server, it goes into an
attaching error condition. Information about this error condition is
displayed with the NPLIST and in more detail with the NPSTAT utilities.
To obtain more complete information on NetPort and NetPort II Attaching
mode, obtain document 6015 from Intel's online services.
Error condition notification
NetPort notifies all users defined as NetPort's Queue Operators in
PCONSOLE any time the printer is offline or halted for forms. Users are
notified on 25th line of their monitor.
To avoid getting this message, go into Pconsole and delete the user's
name from Queue Operators under Print Queue Info. If you want to have
users as Queue Operators, but do not want them to get the offline
notification message, you can create a group in SYSCON and add any user
you want to be a queue operator to this group. Add this group name to
the PCONSOLE Queue Operators field for the NetPort queues. NetPort does
NOT notify groups defined as Queue Operators, only users.
QSCAN=
This new option allows you to set the amount of time that a NetPort
(configured as a print server) waits before checking to see if there is
a print job in the queue. To set the scan time, type this at the DOS
prompt:
NP2CON NetPortName QSCAN=n
where n is the time in tenths of seconds, from 10 to 6000, that NetPort
waits before checking the queue. The default is 40, which means NetPort
checks the queue every 4 seconds.
Splitting ports
This new functionality allows you to configure one port as a remote
printer or print server, and the other port mapped as a virtual circuit.
You can not configure one port as a print server and the other as a
remote printer.
Naming
You can no longer name an individual port. You can only give the
NetPort box a name. This means when you rename NetPort (NP2CON NPxxxxxx
NAME=new_name), that same name shows up under NPLIST as new_name-P and
new_name-S.
Updating your NetPort to the new version of software
The upgrade is available on Intel's online services. There is a README
file included with the update which explains in detail the new features,
how to use them and, most important, how to update your NetPort. To
obtain this software update, follow the instructions included at the
bottom of this document.
To complete the NetPort upgrade, you will update the NetPort's Flash
memory (the non-volatile, read-only memory that stores the NetPort's
internal operating instructions). You can either update over the
network or over a serial cable.
The following instructions are for updating over the network.
Note: If you want to do a serial port update, see the Installation
Guide for complete instructions or call Intel's online services to
request document 6012.
You will need a special serial cable to do a serial port update.
1. Copy the new update software into a public directory on your
network. You may use the DOS copy command.
2. Determine which Flash ROM version your NetPort currently uses.
This information is necessary to complete step 5 below. To do
this, type: NPLIST VER. The NetPort must show up on the network
under NPLIST before you can proceed with the update.
3. Log into the network as a Supervisor.
4. Perform A, B, and C listed below ONLY if NetPort is currently set
up as a remote printer. If NetPort is set up as a remote printer,
you must complete these steps to set it to AVAILABLE:
A. Assign NetPort a new name. Type:
NP2CON NPxxxxxx NAME=temp_name
B. Reset the NetPort. Type:
NP2CON NPxxxxxx RESET
C. After you complete the update (as described in update steps 1
through 6), your NetPort will be set to the default NPxxxxxx
name. If your NetPort had a new_name before the update, you must
set it back to that new_name, before configuring NetPort. At the
DOS prompt, type:
NP2CON NPxxxxxx NAME=original_name
Where NPxxxxxx is the default NetPort name, temp_name is the
new name you're temporarily assigning to NetPort and
original_name is the name NetPort had before you started the
update process.
5. Complete one of the following update procedures from the directory
to which you copied the new software.
NoteThe following MUST be followed to assure a successful update:
* The NetPort and workstation must be local. Do NOT update
across a wide area link.
* Do NOT update your NetPort while running under Windows. You
should only update from DOS.
* Update when network traffic is at its lowest.
* Do not update a NetPort that is currently printing.
A. If you are running on Ethernet 802.3 and want to update your
NetPort from version 2.10 or lower to the new version, type the
following command at the DOS prompt:
CONVERT NPxxxxxx ECONVERT.UPD NETWORK
B. If you are running on Type II, and want to update your NetPort
from version 2.10 or lower to the new version, type the following
command at the DOS prompt:
CONVERT NPxxxxxx ECNVRTEN.UPD NETWORK
C. If you are running on Ethernet 802.3 and want to update your
NetPort from version 2.11 or 2.13 (unreleased patches for
specific remoter printer problems) to the new version, then type
the following command at the DOS prompt:
NP2UPDAT NPxxxxxx ECONVERT.UPD NETWORK
D. If you are running on Type II, and want to update your NetPort
from version 2.11 or 2.13 (unreleased patches for specific remote
printer problems) to the new version, type the following command
at the DOS prompt:
NP2UPDAT NPxxxxxx ECNVRTEN.UPD NETWORK
E. If you are running Ethernet 802.3 and want to update your
NetPort from 2.53 or above, to the new version, you can either
update your NetPort using NPAdmin (see the section below entitled
'Updating NetPort from version 2.53 to 2.57 using NPAdmin') or
type the following command at the DOS prompt:
NP2UPDAT NPxxxxx NP257.UPD NETWORK
or (for Ethernet Type II only)
NP2UPDAT NPxxxxx NP257EN2.UPD NETWORK
where NP257.UPD is the latest release of the NetPort software
and NP257EN.UPD is the Ethernet Type II version of the latest
release.
6. Reset the NetPort by typing the following at the DOS prompt:
NP2CON NetPort_Name RESET
Where NetPort_Name is the default name shown on the bottom of the
NetPort box (NPxxxxxx).
Note: Your NetPort will now be at the default settings. Remember,
if your NetPort had a new name before the update, it no longer does.
You'll need to reassign the new name to NetPort (NP2CON NPxxxxxx
NAME=new_name). Also, any other non-default parameters will need to be
reassigned, such as serial ports setting, form checking flags etc.
Restroing to v2.10
If you ever want to restore your NetPort to use version 2.10 (over the
network), do one of the following:
Note: You can not restore your NetPort to type II using NP210EN2.UPD
across a serial cable. You must restore over the network.
1. For Ethernet 802.3, type:
NP2UPDAT NPxxxxxx NP210.UPD NETWORK
2. For Type II, type:
NP2UPDAT NPxxxxxx NP210EN2.UPD NETWORK
Updating NetPort from 2.53 to 2.57 using NPadmin
NPAdmin can be used to update your NetPort from version 2.53 or above to
this release. You must have NPAdmin version 1.55 or above. If you have
an earlier version, see the end of this document which explains how to
get the current NPAdmin from Intel's online services.
NPAdmin Upgrade:
1. Copy the new update software into a public directory on your
network.
2. Log into the network as a Supervisor or equivalent.
3. Change to the directory where the new update software resides.
4. At the DOS prompt type: NPADMIN (or NPADMIN /MONO)
5. Select the Update menu. Then select the Update option.
6. From the NetPort list, select the NetPort you want to update.
7. In the new NetPort software field, press <Insert> to display a list
of update files. Highlight NP257.UPD (IEEE 802.3) or NP257EN2.UPD
(Ethernet type II) and press <Enter> twice.
8. NetPort displays an update verification statement. If you want to
stop the update, press <Escape>; otherwise, press any key.
NPAdmin will tell you when the update is complete. You must refresh the
NetPort list window to see the new NetPort version number. NetPort II
should be back in the configuration that it was set to prior to the
update.
Configuring NetPort as a print server
Note: You can use NPAdmin, NetPort II's menu-driven interface, to
configure an original NetPort with this update version 2.57, as long as
the version of NPAdmin you are using is 1.55 or above. If you have an
earlier version of NPAdmin, see the end of this document which explains
how to get the current NPAdmin from Intel's online services.
NetPort configuration has not changed with the exception of the
following:
* You must assign NetPort to a specific file server. If you do not
assign NetPort to a file server, NetPort goes into attaching mode
and does NOT connect as a print server.
NP2CON NPxxxxxx SERVERNAME="file_server_name"
where "file_server_name" is the name of the file server you want
NetPort to use.
Note: To remove a specified server name, type: SERVERNAME=DEFAULT
* Use the MODE= option to set up one port as a print server, and keep
the other AVAILABLE (this is useful if you want to use the
available port as a virtual circuit). You cannot set up one port
as a print server and the other as a remote printer. Prior to this
update, you could not split a NetPort's ports in this way. If you
don't want to split the ports, you can ignore this option.
NP2CON NPxxxxxx-X MODE=SERVER
where -X is -P for parallel port, or -S for serial
Note: To take NetPort out of server mode, type: MODE=AVAILABLE
Configuring NetPort as a remote printer
Note: You can use NPAdmin, NetPort II's menu-driven interface, to
configure an original NetPort with this update version 2.53, as long as
the version of NPAdmin you are using is 1.55 or above. If you have an
earlier version of NPAdmin, see the end of this document which explains
how to get the current NPAdmin fromIntel's online services.
NetPort configuration has not changed with the exception of the
following:
* You must assign NetPort to a specific Novell Pserver. If you do
not assign NetPort to a Pserver, NetPort goes into attaching mode
and does not connect as a remote printer.
NP2CON NPxxxxxx SERVERNAME="Novell_Pserver_name"
where "Novell_Psever_name" is the name of the Pserver you want
NetPort to use.
Note: To remove a specified server name, type: SERVERNAME=DEFAULT
* Use the MODE= option to set up one port as a remote printer and
keep the other as AVAILABLE (this is useful if you want to use the
available port as a virtual circuit). You cannot set up one port
as a remote printer and the other as a print server. Prior to this
update you could not split the ports in this way. If you don't
want to split the ports, you can ignore this command.
NP2CON NPxxxxxx-X MODE=SERVER
where -X is -P for parallel port, or -S for serial
Note: To take NetPort out of SERVER mode, type: NP2CON NPxxxxxx-X
MODE=AVAILABLE
NPadmin
To get the latest version of NPAdmin, go to Intel's online services.
The file is called NPADMN.EXE and is available through Intel's online
services.
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