This procedure configures a serial printer as a normal MultiValue printer on a COM port using the Administration Utility. If you have already configured a COM port as a serial printer connection using another procedure, this procedure is not required.
For comprehensive information about configuring mvBase printers, see Configuring and Using mvBase Printers. This procedure provides an abbreviated overview.
Perform these steps to configure a COM port for use with a serial printer:
Physically connect the printer to the serial port. Before you connect a serial printer to the mvBase system, you need this information about the printer:
Printer type and model number
Baud rate(s) and parity used
Baud rate establishes the speed of the transmission in bits per second. Both the printer and the communications line (COM port) must be set to the same baud rate.
Buffer size, if any
Protocols supported (X-ON, DTR, etc.)
Any options required
Choose and implement a method for handshaking.
There are three options for handshaking. Details are documented in other mvBase documentation (printed or online).
DTR (Data Transmit Ready)
X-ON/X-OFF
Padding
Using the PROTOCOL command, define the communications protocols for that printer connection.
Perform the entire procedure titled Configuring COM Ports, and select Serial Printer in step 9 of that procedure.
Start an mvTerm client and connect to the mvBase Server designated in the Configuring COM Ports procedure.
Log to the SYSPROG account. The printer follows the normal use of the STARTPTR command.
For comprehensive information about configuring this and other types of mvBase printers, see Configuring and Using mvBase Printers.
See Also