![[Intel Navigation Header]](/CONTENT/PIX/HEADER.GIF)
Netport(R) II Print Server: Update Information - Token Ring Version
NETPORT(R) II TOKEN RING ERRATA
Important changes to the Intel NetPort(R) II print server on Token Ring
LANS
Read these release notes for important information about using and
updating NetPort II. This document also contains changes to specific
chapters in The Complete Guide to installing and using the Intel NetPort
on Token Ring LANs.
Download the newest version of NPAdmin
Download the latest version of NPAdmin software from the Intel's
Electronic Services.
Download the newest flash software
The newest version of Flash software has been released and is available
through Intel's online services. It is version 5.29. This version
contains these corrections/additions:
* Corrects the problem where the NetPort print server drops off from
the network.
* Adds the ability to respond to an address that may or may not be
source routed (across a bridge) in remote printer mode.
* Adds a status return to the Packet_read function to better handle
marginal traffic conditions.
* Adds Netware System Fault Tollarence (SFT III) support
* A delay in get nearest file server request has been added
NetWare system fault to tollarence level 3 (SFTIII) support
The XL now supports SFT III to provide continuous printing service even
if its 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.
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.
Use a unique Novell PServer name when setting up NetPort
The file server and PSERVER cannot have the same name. When configuring
NetPort II as a print server, 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 print
server as a remote printer adapter and will not become a print server.
Use NP2UPDAT to update from a serial port
To update a NetPort using a null modem serial cable connected between
the NetPort and a workstation's com 1 port, type the following command
at the workstation that is 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.
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 the message and
description information 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)
under NPAdmin.
MESSAGE DESCRIPTION
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. (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.
3. The file server and print server have the same name and NetPort
has been defined as a print server and not as a remote printer
adapter. 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 Token Ring LANs.
Locked NetWare Print Servers
The following new information updates the troubleshooting guidelines
currently provided in Chapter 10 of the complete guide.
This 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 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 Token Ring window (the final setup
window) to notify users of job completions, to enable form checking, and
to define operators who are informed of printer errors. After you
complete setup on this window, press F10 to accept the configuration.
Notifying Users of Job Completions
Position the cursor at the Notify field, press <Ins> and select ON.
Then press <Enter>. If you don't want users notifed when their jobs
complete printing, select OFF.
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.
Trademark information