ostroff@aramis.rutgers.edu (Jack H. Ostroff) (04/06/89)
We have several HP LaserJet printers (mostly Series II) spooled on our HP3000 (currently 70, eventually to move to 950) connected via 9600 RS232. We're looking to significantly speed up printing. It seems as though an HPIB/RS488 to Centronics/parallel converter would do the trick. (Parallel extenders over twisted pair wiring are available for $200-$300.) I know of three: Apex has a converter which also emulates CIPER protocol. However, for nearly $2000, I'm not sure it's worth it. Quasitronix has one for under $300, but they admit it doesn't work on a Series 70 (something about timing of ENQ and carriage return signals). They haven't tested it on a 900 Series, but they suspect it won't work there either. (It apparently works fine on 1000's or 9000's.) IO/Tech has one for about $600, they claim it will work, but that seemed more like a sales pitch than a technical claim. Sorry to be so long winded, but does anyone have any experience with any of these devices/companies, or at least any significant comments on what I'm trying to do? Thanks for any suggestions. Jack (ostroff@aim.rutgers.edu, ...!rutgers!aim!ostroff)
rjn@hpfcdc.HP.COM (Bob Niland) (04/07/89)
re: "We have several HP LaserJet printers (mostly Series II) spooled on our
HP3000 (currently 70, eventually to move to 950)..."
> It seems as though an HPIB/RS488 to Centronics/parallel converter would do
> the trick. Sorry to be so long winded, but does anyone have any
> experience with any of these devices/companies...
The converter people seem to have had the least trouble with (on HP-UX) is...
Intelligent Interfaces Inc
PO Box 1486
Stone Mountain, GA 30086-1486
1-800-842-0888
1. 51-6200 MicroPrint 45C 199.00
2. 52-2208 10foot Centronics cable 30.00
3. Shipping & handling 5.00
_______
234.00
> (Parallel extenders over twisted pair wiring are available for
> $200-$300.)
This implies that you need some distance. I would suggest using 37204B
HP-IB extenders instead.
> ...or at least any significant comments on what I'm trying to do?
The above described converter will turn your LJ into a "simple" HP-IB
printer, not a CIPER or AMIGO printer. I have no idea if the 3000 permits
connection (much less spooling) of "dumb" HP-IB printers.
Disclaimer: The "45C" converter is neither supported nor recommended by
HP. This article merely summarizes anecdotal reports that have been
brought to my attention. I have no personal experience with the "45C".
Regards, Hewlett-Packard
Bob Niland 3404 East Harmony Road
ARPA: rjn%hpfcrjn@hplabs.HP.COM Fort Collins
UUCP: [hplabs|hpu*!hpfcse]!hpfcla!rjn CO 80525-9599dave@pmafire.UUCP (Dave Remien) (04/11/89)
=The converter people seem to have had the least trouble with (on HP-UX) is...
=
= Intelligent Interfaces Inc
= PO Box 1486
= Stone Mountain, GA 30086-1486
= 1-800-842-0888
=
I've been using the 45C and it's earlier incarnation (don't remember
what the name of the company was that got bought by Intelligent
Interfaces) for 3 and a half years, on Series 300, 500 and 800 (well, on
the 800 for one year) with no problems whatsoever. On the 500, I'd
recommend *not* putting it on the internal HPIB (#6 on the 550) under
HP-UX earlier than 5.21. If the printer hangs, it locks things like the
network up (HP never quite figured this out, but I could do it 5 times
out of 5). This seems to have gone away with 5.21 for 500 Series.
Anyway, the 45C works well for me (I have 5 or 6 of 'em, all in use and
working fine).
--
Dave Remien - WINCO Computer Eng. Group -{uunet | bigtex}!pmafire!dave-
"I'm looking for the same old place. You must mean the old same place.
It's right out back, sonny, here's the key." (Firesign Theater, ca. 1970)