Sharp AR-PB2 Handy Guide ▷ View online
The resident master control program in a computer system such as Windows 95 or NT Workstation
that provides for the exchange of information between all parts of the computer.
that provides for the exchange of information between all parts of the computer.
Network Cable
10BaseT
Shielded / Unshielded Twisted Pair cable uses a phone jack type connector (RJ-45) and is
similar to telephone cable, but is a higher grade of specification. Twisted pair cable consists
of two strands of copper wire twisted together in separate sheaths. STP is shielded by foil,
which gives the cable a very good resistance to outside interference but makes the cable
more expensive and heavier. UTP is an unshielded version, which is now becoming very
common. The standard for STP/UTP specifies that data can be transmitted at 10 MBPS for
up to 100 metres (about 328 feet). More recently, the highest grade of STP/UTP can now
allow speeds of up to 100Mbps over 100 metres in length. The minimum cable length
between computers is 2.5 metres (about 8 feet). This cable can be directly attached to the
network card of the AR5132.
similar to telephone cable, but is a higher grade of specification. Twisted pair cable consists
of two strands of copper wire twisted together in separate sheaths. STP is shielded by foil,
which gives the cable a very good resistance to outside interference but makes the cable
more expensive and heavier. UTP is an unshielded version, which is now becoming very
common. The standard for STP/UTP specifies that data can be transmitted at 10 MBPS for
up to 100 metres (about 328 feet). More recently, the highest grade of STP/UTP can now
allow speeds of up to 100Mbps over 100 metres in length. The minimum cable length
between computers is 2.5 metres (about 8 feet). This cable can be directly attached to the
network card of the AR5132.
10Base2
This type of cable is known as Thinnet, Cheapernet, or thin wire, because of the thin
inexpensive coaxial cable (RG-58) that it uses. The cable is very similar to that used as
aerial cable in the back of your television sets. It consists of a central conductor surrounded
by an insulation layer, a wire mesh shielding layer and a non-conductive outer shield. This
has long been the common cabling standard for Ethernet installations. Data can be
transmitted at 10Mbps and can carry a signal roughly 2 x 100 metres (185 metres or 607
feet). The minimum cable length between computers must be at least 0.5 metres (20 inches)
long. This cable can be directly attached to the network card of the AR5132.
inexpensive coaxial cable (RG-58) that it uses. The cable is very similar to that used as
aerial cable in the back of your television sets. It consists of a central conductor surrounded
by an insulation layer, a wire mesh shielding layer and a non-conductive outer shield. This
has long been the common cabling standard for Ethernet installations. Data can be
transmitted at 10Mbps and can carry a signal roughly 2 x 100 metres (185 metres or 607
feet). The minimum cable length between computers must be at least 0.5 metres (20 inches)
long. This cable can be directly attached to the network card of the AR5132.
10Base5
This cable is classed as standard Ethernet. It is similar to Thin Ethernet however is a higher
specification cable. It has a very good resistance to outside interference but is expensive,
especially at large diameters. It is also heavy and inflexible so making it difficult to install.
This cable can transmit at rates of 10 MBPS and can carry a signal for up to 500 metres
(1640 feet). It can support as many as 100 nodes (workstations, repeaters and bridges)
per backbone segment. The minimum cable length between workstations is 2.5 metres
(about 8 feet). Drop cables are used to connect workstations to Thick Ethernet cable and
can be as long as 50 metres (about 164 feet).
specification cable. It has a very good resistance to outside interference but is expensive,
especially at large diameters. It is also heavy and inflexible so making it difficult to install.
This cable can transmit at rates of 10 MBPS and can carry a signal for up to 500 metres
(1640 feet). It can support as many as 100 nodes (workstations, repeaters and bridges)
per backbone segment. The minimum cable length between workstations is 2.5 metres
(about 8 feet). Drop cables are used to connect workstations to Thick Ethernet cable and
can be as long as 50 metres (about 164 feet).
Fibre Optic Cable
This cable uses a thin flexible glass fibre, which is surrounded by a sheath. This cable is
capable of very high data rates and bandwidth over long distances, but has the disadvantage
of special converters to attach devices to it. Light is used to send data from one end of the
network to the other by the use of small lasers. A sensor at the other end detects the laser
light and either converts it in to an electrical signal or passes it on to the next workstation on
the network. Due to its disadvantages, Fibre Optic cable is usually used as a backbone
circuit in an installation with other cabling types connected to it to serve the users.
capable of very high data rates and bandwidth over long distances, but has the disadvantage
of special converters to attach devices to it. Light is used to send data from one end of the
network to the other by the use of small lasers. A sensor at the other end detects the laser
light and either converts it in to an electrical signal or passes it on to the next workstation on
the network. Due to its disadvantages, Fibre Optic cable is usually used as a backbone
circuit in an installation with other cabling types connected to it to serve the users.
Parallel Communication
In Parallel communication, eight bits of data are simultaneously sent from a PC to an external device
such as a printer. There are five current parallel communication modes available within the market.
Each of these are briefly explained below.
such as a printer. There are five current parallel communication modes available within the market.
Each of these are briefly explained below.
The AR5132 is capable of communicating in Compatibility Mode or Nibble Mode. For the copier
to communicate in Nibble Mode, an IEEE 1284 compatible Centronics cable must be used, and the
PC must also be capable of communicating in this the mode. If Nibble Mode cannot be used, both
the PC and the AR5132 will communicate in Compatibility Mode.
to communicate in Nibble Mode, an IEEE 1284 compatible Centronics cable must be used, and the
PC must also be capable of communicating in this the mode. If Nibble Mode cannot be used, both
the PC and the AR5132 will communicate in Compatibility Mode.
Compatibility Mode
One way direction only. Machines with unlimited speed or an unlimited internal buffer
would work with this mode. The PC will download data as quick as it can. To control data
flow, a number of feedback signals are used to tell if data is pilling up, paper empty, printer
on etc.
would work with this mode. The PC will download data as quick as it can. To control data
flow, a number of feedback signals are used to tell if data is pilling up, paper empty, printer
on etc.
Nibble Mode
Asymmetric two way data so that the printer can talk back. (Four bits for feedback). Data
flows faster to printer than back to PC. This is because the flow back to the PC is in four
bits. Normally five signals are used for feedback back to PC. In nibble mode four of these
are re-assigned so that the printer can feed the bi-directional data back. In Nibble Mode,
the PC takes full control of the port. This is the least attractive Bi-directional method.
flows faster to printer than back to PC. This is because the flow back to the PC is in four
bits. Normally five signals are used for feedback back to PC. In nibble mode four of these
are re-assigned so that the printer can feed the bi-directional data back. In Nibble Mode,
the PC takes full control of the port. This is the least attractive Bi-directional method.
Byte Mode
Full symmetrical two-way communication. (Eight bits used for feedback). Special hardware
is required. All eight data lines have in line buffers so that as soon as data is sent one way,
all eight lines can then be used for the reverse direction. A lot quicker than nibble mode.
is required. All eight data lines have in line buffers so that as soon as data is sent one way,
all eight lines can then be used for the reverse direction. A lot quicker than nibble mode.
Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)
IBM, Xircom & Zenith Data Systems developed in 1991.
32 bit words are sent at once and then are converted / repackaged into 4 x 8bit (1 byte)
transfers. Six signals are used for data control. EPP makes the port become a true
expansion bus. Speed is increased up to 10 times faster than the previous three modes.
32 bit words are sent at once and then are converted / repackaged into 4 x 8bit (1 byte)
transfers. Six signals are used for data control. EPP makes the port become a true
expansion bus. Speed is increased up to 10 times faster than the previous three modes.
Extended Capabilities Port (ECP)
Hewlett Packard & Microsoft developed a universal expansion standard and ECP. First
release Nov 1992. As previous modes however ECP gives control as well as speed. To
the PC transfers are moderated by closed loop handshaking. Two extra additions over EPP
are: Fast two way communication, Two way mode with data compression
ECP can determine what speed both devices can speak and then choose the best. ECP
includes error detection and device handshaking. All bytes will get to their destination even if
the connection is temporarily disrupted.
release Nov 1992. As previous modes however ECP gives control as well as speed. To
the PC transfers are moderated by closed loop handshaking. Two extra additions over EPP
are: Fast two way communication, Two way mode with data compression
ECP can determine what speed both devices can speak and then choose the best. ECP
includes error detection and device handshaking. All bytes will get to their destination even if
the connection is temporarily disrupted.
PCL (Printer Control Language)
A Printer Control Language designed by Hewlett Packard (HP). PCL defines a standard set of
commands enabling applications to communicate with Hewlett Packard or compatible printers.
PCL has become a standard for Laser and Ink-jet printers and is supported by virtually all printer
manufacturers. HP compatible or Laser-Jet compatible means a printer supports the PCL
command set. The main strength of PCL is in its capability for reproducing Text Type Documents.
PCL5E is the latest version of the language. It supports printer resolutions up to 600dpi or the
printer’s maximum (If less than 600dpi).
commands enabling applications to communicate with Hewlett Packard or compatible printers.
PCL has become a standard for Laser and Ink-jet printers and is supported by virtually all printer
manufacturers. HP compatible or Laser-Jet compatible means a printer supports the PCL
command set. The main strength of PCL is in its capability for reproducing Text Type Documents.
PCL5E is the latest version of the language. It supports printer resolutions up to 600dpi or the
printer’s maximum (If less than 600dpi).
PDL (Page Description Language)
A Page Description Language is used in order to tell an Application such as Microsoft Word what
the printed page should look like. Page Description Languages are used as they offer certain benefits
for customers when transferring files across a network. Two examples of a PDL are Postscript and
PCL.
the printed page should look like. Page Description Languages are used as they offer certain benefits
for customers when transferring files across a network. Two examples of a PDL are Postscript and
PCL.
Peer-Peer Network
A collection of PC’s connected together with network cards and cables. Each workstation is equal
to other workstations on the network.
to other workstations on the network.
Peer-Peer Re-director
On a peer-peer network, a printer is usually connected to a computer through a parallel cable. This
printer could then be shared across the network so that the other computers on the peer-peer
network can print to it. The downside of this, is that the computer sharing the printer will slow down
in performance as jobs are routed through it, and if this sharing computer is turned off, the printer
will no longer be available to the other computers on the network.
printer could then be shared across the network so that the other computers on the peer-peer
network can print to it. The downside of this, is that the computer sharing the printer will slow down
in performance as jobs are routed through it, and if this sharing computer is turned off, the printer
will no longer be available to the other computers on the network.
A peer-peer redirector overcomes this by allowing a computer on a peer-peer network to sent print
jobs directly to a printers network card. The AR5132 network card had a TCP/IP redirector
bundled with it. The AR-NC1D network card for the AR280/285/335 is bundled with IPX
redirector software.
jobs directly to a printers network card. The AR5132 network card had a TCP/IP redirector
bundled with it. The AR-NC1D network card for the AR280/285/335 is bundled with IPX
redirector software.
PING
PING is a DOS command that can be used to test an IP Address of a device and so communication
to a device through the IP Address over a network. It is a very handy command for trouble
shooting purposes when a network is using the TCP/IP protocol.
to a device through the IP Address over a network. It is a very handy command for trouble
shooting purposes when a network is using the TCP/IP protocol.
PPD (Postscript Printer Definition File)
Click on the first or last page to see other AR-PB2 service manuals if exist.