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Netport(R) II Print Server: Update Information - Ethernet Version
NETPORT(R) II ETHERNET ERRATA
Important changes to the Intel NetPort(R) II print server on Ethernet
Lans
Read these release notes for important information about using and
updating NetPort II print servers. This document also contains changes
to specific chapters in The Complete Guide to installing and using the
Intel NetPort on Ethernet LANs.
Download the newest version of NPAdmin
Download the latest version of NPAdmin software from Intel's online
services.
Download the newest flash software
The newest version of Flash software has been released and It is v4.32.
It is available through Intel's online services. This version adds
enhancements to handle bad packets better, fix occasional DMA
operations, SFTIII support, 802.2 & SNAP frame type support, delay in
get nearest file server request and handle marginal traffic conditions
better.
NetWare fault tolarence level 3 (SFTIII) support
The XL now supports SFT III to provide continuous printing service even
if the primary file server goes down. With SFT III, the Netport II print
server automatically attaches to the mirroring NetWare server without
losing any queued print jobs. With this update, the Netport II print
server does not require any special configuration to provide SFT III
support.
802.2 & SNAP frame type support
This update adds support for 802.2 and SNAP to the existing 802.3 and
Ethernet II frame type protocols. The frame type the Netport II print
server uses is determined by the position of the two DIP switches on the
back panel of the unit. Only one frame type can be active at a time.
Frame Position 1 Position 2
802.3 Up Up
802.2 Down Up
SNAP UP Down
Ethernet II Down Down
Delay in get nearest file server request
Timing for Get Nearest File Server requests have been increased from
half second to five seconds. This change decreases traffic on the
network when the NetPort II print server is in attaching mode.
Unique Novell Pserver name when setting up NetPort
The file server and PSERVER cannot have the same name. When configuring
NetPort II as a remote printer adapter, be sure the Novell PSERVER name
is not the same as the file server name. NetPort uses the server name
(either file server or print server) to identify whether it should
operate as a print server or remote printer adapter. If NetPort locates
a file server with the same name as the Novell PSERVER, it tries to
attach to the file server as a print server and will not become a remote
printer adapter.
Use NP2UPDAT to update from a serail port
To update a NetPort using a serial cable connected between the NetPort
and a workstation, type the following command at the workstation
connected to the NetPort:
NP2UPDAT NetPortName NPnnn.UPD SERIAL
Where NetPortName is the 8-digit (NPxxxxxx) ID found on the bottom
of the NetPort box, and NPnnn.UPD is the software update file you
want to use.
For more information on serial updates, see Chapter 6 of the Complete
Guide.
Using a monochrome monitor with NPAdmin
If you have a monochrome monitor, start the NPAdmin menu-driven software
by typing this at the DOS prompt:
NPAdmin \mono <Enter>
Use QSCAN to set time that NetPort waits before checking queue
To set the time that NetPort (setup as a print server) waits before
checking to see if there is a print job in the queue, run NPAdmin and
choose Manual Configuration or type:
NP2CON NPxxxxxx QSCAN=n
Where NPxxxxxx is the default NetPort name found on the bottom of the
NetPort box, where n is the time in tenths of seconds, ranging from 10
to 6000. The default is n=40, which means NetPort checks the queue
every 4 seconds.
NetPort automatically re-attaches to server
If the file server goes down and NetPort is in Print Server mode,
NetPort goes into attaching mode. NetPort will automatically reconnect
to the file server when it comes back up. If the NetPort is reset while
it is configured as a print server but there are no connection slots
available, NetPort periodically attempts to log in as a print server
until it is successful, or until the LAN administrator changes the
NetPort port's mode to Available. To change the port mode, use the
Manual option (under the Configure menu) to set Port 1, Port 2 or both
to Available. For more information, refer to Chapter 3 of the Complete
Guide and see steps 4 and 7 in Using Manual configuration for print
server setup.
If (1) NetPort is set up as a remote printer adapter and a power failure
occurs and (2) NetPort comes up before the NetWare Print Server is ready
for a new connection, then NetPort continually attempts to become a
remote printer adapter to the defined print server. NetPort continues
its connection attempts until it is successful, or until the LAN
administrator changes the NetPort port's mode to Available. For more
information, refer to Chapter 3 of the Complete Guide and see steps 4
and 8 in Using Manual configuration for remote printer setup.
Even though NetPort is attempting to attach to a server, it continues to
allow the LAN administrator to make changes to the NetPort port's mode
using the options provided by the Configure menu. To stop NetPort from
attempting to attach to a server, use the Manual configuration option to
set the port modes to Available and to select a specific server in the
Attached Servers window. How does NetPort II display attaching
information? See the next section.
How to view attaching information
You can see information about NetPort's attempts to attach to the
network by using either the Check All Ports option or the View NetPort
Settings option (both options are found under NPAdmin's Port-Status
menu). If you use the Check All Ports option, the Mode column displays
ATTACHING instead of PRINTSERVER, REMOTE, or AVAILABLE. If you use the
View NetPort Settings option, the Mode field displays ATTACHING-XXXX
instead of PRINTSERVER, REMOTE, or AVAILABLE. See below for details
about different attaching states.
You can also use the NetPort command-line utilities at the DOS prompt
(instead of the NPAdmin main menu and options) to view attaching
information. To do so, type NPLIST or NPSTAT at the DOS prompt while
NetPort is logging in as a print server or as a remote printer adapter.
If you want to save the attaching status information in a batch file
using a DOS error code, use the NPQUERY command-line utility described
in Chapter 9 of the Complete Guide.
The attaching status messages, corresponding descriptions, and DOS error
codes are described below. This information will appear if you type
NPLIST or NPSTAT at the DOS prompt or choose View NetPort settings
(under the Port-Status menu) in NetPort's main menu.
ATTACHING
The NetPort is attempting to connect to the file server or print
server. No problems detected. (Use error code 10 to save the
attaching status information in a batch file.)
ATTACHING-SN
The NetPort is waiting for the LAN administrator to assign a server
name. Set the server name or set the port mode to Available. (Use
error code 11.)
ATTACHING-NCON
The NetPort was not successful in its attempt to connect to the
nearest file server. It will retry until the connection is
successful. (Use error code 12.)
ATTACHING-PSRP
The NetPort cannot locate either a file server or a print server
that matches the server name. NetPort will continue to search for
the defined server on the network. If a file server is located,
the NetPort attaches as a print server; if a print server is
located, the NetPort attaches as a remote printer. (Use error code
13)
ATTACHING-PCON
The NetPort's attempts to connect to the defined file server
failed. The NetPort will retry until the connection is successful.
(Use error code 14.)
ATTACHING-PS
The NetPort's attempts to log in to the target file server as a
print server have been unsuccessful for one of these reasons:
1. NetPort is not yet defined as a print server on the target file
server.
2. The target file server is preventing NetPort from logging in.
This might occur when logins have been disabled, or if encrypted
passwords are required. The NetPort will continue trying to log
in until successful.
3. The file server and print server have the same name and NetPort
has been defined as a remote printer adapter and not a print
server. (Use error code 15.)
ATTACHING-RCON
The NetPort's attempts to connect to the defined print server
failed. The NetPort will retry until the connection is successful.
(Use error code 16.)
ATTACHING-RP
The NetPort's attempts to log in to the target print server as a
remote printer adapter have been unsuccessful for one of the
following reasons:
1. NetPort is not yet defined as a remote printer adapter on the
target print server.
2. NetPort is not yet released from a previous connection to the
target print server. This might occur when the NetPort has been
quickly powered down and up. The NetPort will continue trying
to log in until successful. (Use error code 17.)
Corrections to the complete guide
All chapter and section references are to: The Complete Guide to
Installing and Using the Intel NetPort on Ethernet LANs.
Locked NetWare Print Servers
The following new information updates the troubleshooting guidelines
currently provided in Chapter 10 of the Complete Guide.
The situation/solution applies only to NetPorts setup as remote printer
adapters. This rare problem scenario will not occur for NetPorts
configured as print servers.
In the unlikely event that the NetWare Print Console shows a NetPort
configured as a remote printer adapter to be printing, yet no jobs are
coming out of the queue, try resetting the NetPort.
After resetting the NetPort, the Print Server Console may still show the
NetPort in printing mode, and the NPAdmin Check All Ports option (under
the Port-Status menu) may show the NetPort in attaching mode. If this
occurs, reset the NetWare Print Server to allow NetPort to connect to
the Print Server.
Defining Operators, Enabling Form Checking and Notifying Users of Print
Job Completions
The following new information updates the procedure for defining
notification operators currently provided in Chapter 3 of the Complete
Guide.
Use the Configure NetPort II for Ethernet window to define operators who
are informed of printer errors, enable form checking, and notify users
of job completions. After you complete the setup on this window, press
F10 to accept the configuration.
Enabling form checking
Position the cursor at the Form Check Field, press <Ins> and select ON.
Then press <Enter>. If you want the printer or plotter to run without
stopping for form changes, select OFF.
Notifying Users of Job Completions
Position the cursor at the Notify field, press <Ins> and select ON.
Then press <Enter>. If you do not want users notified when their jobs
complete printing, select OFF.
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