DEClaser 5100 Printer Ethernet Card User’'s Guide

This document is an Addendum to the DEClaser 5000 Series Ethernet Card User's Guide for the DEClaser 5100 Printer, dated March 1995. It provides crucial updates, corrections, and new information for users running NIC firmware Version 3.05 and printer firmware Version 2.53.

Key areas covered include:

1. Corrections and Known Limitations: Addresses errata in the original user guide (e.g., PSPrinter program location, BNC connector use, NVRAM changes) and outlines known product limitations (e.g., NPmanage for Apple lacks balloon help, NetWare banner pages canceling PCL context).
2. New Information:
   • NPmanage Utility: Details additional functions of the NPmanage utility, including troubleshooting, print server status reports, and setup options.
   • Cold Reset Procedure: Introduces a comprehensive "Cold Reset" function from the printer's Control Panel, which restores both printer and NIC settings to factory defaults and toggles enabled protocols. It strongly advises printing status pages beforehand as they are the only record of custom settings.
   • Printer Relocation: Provides guidance on moving the printer, recommending a Cold Reset when changing IP addresses, subnets, or AppleTalk zones.
   • NetWare Environment: Explains how the NIC searches for NetWare file servers (4-hop limit, then entire network) and the importance of consistent frame types across clients and servers.
   • Status Pages Control: Highlights the new ability to enable/disable the printer's "Start-Up page" and "NIC Status page" directly from the printer's Control Panel.
   • Resetting Operations Review: Summarizes various reset procedures (e.g., "Reset Printer," "Reset to Factory Defaults," "Cold Reset") and their specific effects on the NIC and printer.
3. Replacement Documentation (Rewritten Chapters/Sections):
   • NetWare File Servers in a WAN: Expands on the NIC's search pattern for file servers and introduces the concept of a "Primary File Server" for improved efficiency in large networks.
   • NIC Status Page: Provides a revised and detailed explanation of the information displayed on the NIC Status page, including various network protocol settings and connection details.
   • TCP/IP Configuration: This chapter is entirely rewritten to cover:
     • IP Address Configuration: New methods for assigning initial IP addresses to the NIC when in its factory default state using bootp, rarp, or ping. For subsequent changes, the nsconfig or NPmanage utilities must be used.
     • Installation Types: Differences between "host-resident" (nicinst) and "NIC-resident" (lpdinst) printing installations for UNIX systems, including their respective advantages and configuration procedures for various platforms (ULTRIX, OSF/1, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, SCO UNIX).
     • Running nsconfig: Detailed instructions on using the nsconfig utility to update the NIC's NVRAM with parameters from the nicprint.conf file, along with a comprehensive list of configurable parameters and troubleshooting steps for common nsconfig error messages.