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SEPTEMBER 1998
SW178A
SW179A
Compact Bidirectional
Dual Bus Autoswitches
2 to 2
4 to 2
CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL Centronics is a registered trademark of GENICOM Corporation. DeskJet is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard. Zip is a registered trademark of Iomega Corporation. Windows NT is a trademark, and Windows is a registered trademark, of Microsoft Corporation. Any trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the trademark owners. 1
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND INDUSTRY CANADA RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM) ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD 1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura. 3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de operación deben ser respetadas. 4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deb
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor. 11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato. 12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización del equipo no sea elimi
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 1. Specifications SW178A SW179A Autoswitch Device Output Ports 2 2 Autoswitch Computer Input Ports 2 4 Cable Type Required Computer to Autoswitch DB25 M/M ® Device to Autoswitch DB25 M/Centronics 36 M Maximum Cable Distance 5 meters Maximum Transfer Rate 2 megabytes/second Number of Device LEDs 2 Computer Input Port LEDs 4 Input/Output Port Selection Auto/manual Timeout Selection 5, 10, 20, or 40 seconds File Transfer A, B A–B, C–D Software DOS; Window
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 2. Introduction 2.1 Description The IEEE 1284 standard interface is found on most printers today. It enables bidirectional communication between the PC and the printer, allowing the printer to send information back to the host PC using its built-in microprocessor. The Compact Bidirectional Dual Bus Autoswitch supports full compatibility with IEEE 1284, including Centronics, nibble, special nibble, byte, Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP), and Extended Capab
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 2.2 Function Descriptions 2.2.1 AUTO-LINK MODE When powering the Autoswitch, you will see the LEDs of the Computer Input Port circularly scanned from LED A to D. The Printer Output Port LEDs will remain lit. Your Autoswitch constantly scans its computer input ports, looking for a job to send to one of its output ports. You will see the input ports’ LEDs blink in sequence as the switch goes through its scan cycle. Device Out Ports LED Indicator: PA & PB
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES you want to set up. You can press the Printer button several times to cycle through the three level of available choices (PA, PB, or File Transfer). Finish the cycle to go back to Auto-Link Mode. 2.2.3 FILE TRANSFER MODE Use the software selection utility to set up the Autoswitch to File Transfer Mode. The SW179A dual bus permits only that the computer attached to Port A can do file transfer with the computer attached to Port B. The same goes to Port C
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES two PCs send their jobs to the same output port, the first-come, first-serve rule will follow. 2.3.1 AN EXAMPLE OF SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION WITH THE SW178A NOTE PA is the print device on port PA. PB is the print device on port PB. Computer A sends a print job to PA and Computer B sends a print job to PB. Computer A and Computer B run the File Transfer Program. 2.3.2 AN EXAMPLE OF SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION WITH THE SW179A Computer A sends a print job to PA a
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 3. Quick Start Listed below are four easy steps to set up your Autoswitch. 1. Be sure to turn off the power to your computers and printers. 2. Using an IEEE 1284 straight-through DB25 M/M cable, connect your computers to the Autoswitch. 3. Using an IEEE 1284 parallel cable, connect your printer to the Autoswitch. 4. Turn on the power to your Autoswitch, computers, and printers. All computers will print to the printer on a first-come, first-served basis
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D D D D COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 4. Peripheral-Sharing and File- Transfer Setup IEEE 1284 IEEE 1284 CCD CCD Printers Printers Scanners Scanners Camera Camera Zip Drive Zip Drive PA PB PA PB DEVICE PA DEVICE PA DEVICE PB DEVICE PB D D C C B B A SW178A Setup A Compact Bidirectional Compact Bidirectional Dual Bus Autoswitch COMPUTER Dual Bus Autoswitch COMPUTER DEVICE DEVICE BC BC Peripheral Sharing Two Computers “AutoLink Mode” “File Transfer Mode” IEEE 1284 IEEE 1284 CCD Printe
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 4.1 Auto-Link Mode The Autoswitch will constantly scan its input ports and send the job to the selected attached parallel device. The cycle goes from Port A, B, C, D, then A again. 4.2 Manual Mode The Autoswitch has a Select button for manual port selection (Device or Computer). When the Autoswitch is first powered on, it’s in Auto-Link Mode. After you press the Computer button, it will be in Manual Mode. Pressing the Computer button again will put th
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES • One of the computers has been running parallel- device software that locks the port all the time. If you have any of these problems, try resetting the Autoswitch to default mode: 1. Turn off the Autoswitch. 2. Set DIP switch #1 to the ON position. 3. Turn on the Autoswitch, then turn it off again. 4. Set DIP switch #1 to the OFF position. 5. Turn on the Autoswitch. 13
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 4.4 Device Out Ports LED Indicator PA & PB LED Remain Lit Auto-Link Mode PA & PB LED are Lit OFF File Transfer Mode 4.5 DIP-Switch Settings 14
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 5. Troubleshooting 1. Check all the cables. Use IEEE 1284 rated cables. 2. Check the computer BIOS. Make sure that the BIOS parallel setup is set to EPP or EPP/SPP mode for faster data transfer and bidirectional communication. 3. If you’re working with portable drives, the Autoswitch must be in Manual Mode when selecting the port where the portable drive is attached until the driver software recognizes and assigns a logical drive. After the driver has
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES timeout to a higher value. This is because as the computer processes complex files, it will pause more often. If the pause is longer than the time out window, the Autoswitch will assume that the transmission is over and prematurely finish the job. 5.1 Calling Black Box If you determine that your Autoswitch is malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair the unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts. Contact Black Box Technical Support at 724-746
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COMPACT BIDIRECTIONAL DUAL BUS AUTOSWITCHES 5.2 Shipping and Packaging If you need to transport or ship your Autoswitch: • Package it carefully. We recommend that you use the original container. • If you are shipping the Autoswitch for repair, make sure you include everything that came in the original package. Before you ship, contact Black Box to get a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. 17
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© Copyright 1999. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved. 1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax 724-746-0746
