Print from Serial Devices to a Network Printer

Printing from serial devices directly to a printer is a requirement in many systems. To install printers at every serial device is not economical. To use an existing printer in the workplace is more ideal and efficient.

A new feature on the PocketPAD range of Multenet products includes the ability to disconnect a TCP/IP socket to a remote host once an idle timeout occurs. This translates to your serial device sending printable data to a network printer. Other thin clients on the LAN will not be disrupted from their printing.

In addition to sending data to a printer, you can also send data to a remote host on the LAN. A PocketPAD Router will enable remote communications via an external modem to a Wide Area Network (e.g. over PTSN/GSM/GPRS).

Example
A customer has a number of Flow Computers (e.g. Emerson S600) connected via PocketPADs to the LAN, as the output of the Flow Meters is via a serial interface. A network printer (e.g. HP LaserJet 2400) is located in the administration office and is used by staff to print via their thin clients. The PocketPAD is setup to connect to the printer on TCP/IP port 9100. After a brief idling time, the connection is disconnected between Flow Meter and Printer allowing normal office printing to resume.



Industrial Automation Applications>
  Production Tracking in the Manufacturing Environment
  Network Printing from Serial Devices
  Process Control
  Software Toolbox OPC Server