Defining the COM Port as a Serial Printer Connection

Once the MultiValue serial printer has been connected and communications protocols defined , you must map the COM port on the mvBase Workstation system to an mvBase line. This is the final procedure to set up such a configuration and to prepare the printer for use. Perform these steps on the mvBase Workstation system.

NOTE	This procedure sets up the COM port printer to function in the raw mode automatically. That is, the printer bypasses the mvBase printer driver (if installed) and automatically uses the manufacturer’s default printer driver.

Launch or switch to the Administration Utility.
Select the Workstation tab.
Verify that the Workstation Application and Service progress indicators show as Stopped or Not Installed. Stop the Workstation if necessary. In most cases, the Workstation progress indicator should display Stopped or Not Installed prior to configuration.

NOTE	If you must keep the Workstation running while performing this configuration, select Apply in the Ports dialog box after defining your settings (as directed below).

Select Configure. The Configuring Workstation property sheet displays.
Select the Ports tab if it is not displayed.

This tab contains three buttons for configuring COM ports:

Add	Invokes the Ports dialog box, allowing the addition and configuration of Windows COM ports not already configured for use by the Workstation.
Delete	Removes the selected (highlighted) COM port from the mvBase Workstation.
Configure	Invokes the Ports dialog box, allowing the modification of COM ports already configured for use by the Workstation. Select the pertinent COM port prior to using this button.

Perform these steps to delete an existing COM port.

Select the COM port from the Configured Ports field.
Select Delete.
If you now wish to configure a new or existing COM port, proceed to step 7 or 8.
If you are done, select OK. The Workstation tab displays. The procedure is complete.

To add a new COM port to mvBase, select Add. The Ports dialog box displays. Proceed to step 9.
To configure an existing COM port, select the COM port from the Configured Ports field, then select Configure. The Ports dialog box displays. Proceed to step 9.
In the Ports dialog box, define the computer name of the Server to which the Workstation will connect, and select Serial Printer. Other certain options are applicable to this serial printer connection are described below.

NOTE

Items in the Ports Info group box are shaded (disabled) when the Workstation is running. If this group box is shaded, stop the Workstation prior to configuration of COM port(s). Be aware that stopping the Workstation may affect connected clients. Shut down clients if necessary prior to proceeding.
mvBase defers to the most recent configuration of communications protocols, regardless of the manner in which they are defined. Thus, you may override communications protocols made in the Ports tab by using the PROTOCOL TCL command. Conversely, you may override communications made with the PROTOCOL TCL command by using the Ports tab.

mvBase Server	Designate the computer name of the mvBase Server system to which the COM ports are mapped. This mvBase Server can be located anywhere on the network.
# Ports	Designate the quantity of COM ports you wish to configure at this time. This field lists the number of consecutive ports to be mapped simultaneously. Only one port is added or configured if the quantity of available system COM ports is 1.
mvBase Line #	Identify the number of the first mvBase line to which the specified port(s) is/are mapped.
Disable	Select this box to make this client definition inactive upon startup of the mvBase Workstation. This function is particularly useful when you want to retain the current configuration's settings for future use.
Connect on Workstation Startup	Select this checkbox for a serial printer connection.
Disconnect on Logoff	Do not select this checkbox for a serial printer connection. Otherwise, there is no way to reconnect a disconnected printer unless you restart the Workstation.
Disconnect Char	Do not select this checkbox for a serial printer connection. The printer cannot transmit a disconnect character to the Server.
Serial Printer	Select this checkbox for COM ports attached to a printer. Select the Apply button to activate this setting on a running mvBase Workstation. Connections identified this way support output only with no input allowed, and do not consume an mvBase user license.
Suppress Connection Messages	Do not select this checkbox for a serial printer connection.
Communication Settings	Note that if you make changes in this field of the Ports dialog box, they override the settings you defined with the PROTOCOL command in steps 8-10 above.

Once you have defined settings for the COM port being added or configured, select either OK or Apply. A message appears requesting confirmation.

When adding or configuring more than one port, select Apply after defining settings for each port or group of ports.

Select OK in the confirmation message box. mvBase returns to the Ports tab.
Select OK in the Ports tab. mvBase returns to the Workstation tab of the Administration Utility.
If you are ready to start the Workstation, perform the necessary tasks in this sequence:

Ensure that the mvBase Server is already started.
Configure additional client connections in the mvBase Workstation (if necessary).
Start the mvBase Workstation once you have configured all client connections.

Once the printer is configured (set up) for use with mvBase for all intended users, printer operation and behavior within the MultiValue environment is virtually identical for all printer types. See Using mvBase Printers for additional information, or see other topics as required.

For information about troubleshooting this particular configuration, see Troubleshooting mvBase Printers.