Replace a serial printer with the PortStore - network buffer

English version

 

A serial printer is a computer printer, which is connected to computer trough a serial link (RS-232c port - Cannon DB9 or DB25). Serial printers are usually impact (9 pin dot-matrix). Because of the speed the serial port (RS-232), they are only able to print single characters or rows of plain text. They commonly act as support to security centrals or cash desk printer etc.

Serial printers are legacy system nowadays that is why it could be profitable to utilise PortStore/PortStore2 RS-232 buffers with them. Serial printers are usually connected to some source of data and it could be efficient to place PortStore buffer box between them to store data and/or send them to a central site in origin electronic format instead of archiving tons of paper.

PortStore is able to operate in all available modes of RS-232. This is important feature because printers of different vendors are varying in baudrate, flow control or parity. Flow control is necessary to guarantee that no character could be lost during printing.

Let us make an example of a security central which is a serial printer connected to. There are two posibilities how to send logs from the security central to archivation on magnetic tapes in a central office. The first way is to connect PC between the security central and the printer. This way is expensive and time-consuming. There is also need of maintaining the computer. At least we have to solve how to connect PC to the serial printer along with to the security central. The second option is to use PortStore. The PortStore buffer and converter eliminates extra costs of the dedicated computer. Once configured it does not need any additional administration. The PortStore is absolutely quiet; it has very low consumption of electric energy, too. In addition to this, the PortStore easily solve the problem how to put PC between two devices on single serial line. The PortStore has got feature that makes possible to connect two PortStores together via Ethernet, this enables keep printing and at the same time sending data to back up process. Picture below shows connection diagram. The data which are being sent to the serial printer could be stored in 2 MB internal flash memory. There can be saved up to 80,000 records. The stored data is accessible via TCP/IP connection and it can be downloaded in RAW format.

• Data can be safely downloaded from the unit all over the various points on the intranet/internet using TEA encryption. The PortStore is independent network device, which do not require any other support hardware.
• Whenever the PortStore’s buffer is about 75% full, it sends an e-mail to a responsible person. If the responsible person is not available (for example on vacation), the buffer unit sends an email to the second listed address to alert when only 10 % of the capacity remains.

PortStore2 differences

The PortStore unit can send you email, when the buffer is full, the PortStore2 do not support SMTP emails, but support TCP Client mode. The PortStore2 data starts attempting to establish TCP connection as the TCP client and send data to predefined IP address in RAW format.

Both versions supports standard TCP server mode, difference is only in function, started if buffer contais more data, than safe range is.

List of Supported Printers

• Epson: LX-300, LX-300+, DFX-5000, DFX-5000+, DFX-8000, DFX-8500, DFX-9000, EX-800, CR-420i, P-80
• OKI: Microline 186, Microline 320, Microline 395, Microline 395C, Microline 420, Microline 421, Pacemark 4410, Pacemark 3410, OKIPOS 425D, OKIPOS425S
• Star: SP500 series, SP2000 series, SP200 series, SP300 series, SP298, DP8340

FAQ & Support

Q: What is the difference between PortStore and PortStore2 devices?
A:  It is basically the same device with two different firmwares. The basic differences are:

• PortStore supports only TCP Server + SMTP email notify when data buffer overflow
• PortStore2 supports TCP Server or TCP Client/Server modes, no SMTP email supported

Q: How are the stored data protected?
A: The security is very important to us. Every device can use an IP filter.
For increasing the security of data transfer in TCP mode it's possible to authorize both sides on establishing any TCP/IP connection via TEA 128 algorithm with symmetric signature. The configured password of both sides then will not go through the network.

Q: Why are there 2 email addresses for buffer overflow alerts?
A:  It's a practical fallback in cases where the responsible person is out of the office for varying periods of time. It's very useful to set a second email address to reception or to a general email so overflows are not overlooked.

Q: We want to develop our own software, are there any examples available?
A:  Yes, check our Support & Download page for many examples for Borland C++ and Delphi (as well as Visual Basic , JAVA and PHP ). We have released a software for reading the buffered data - PS Eye.

Similar products

• PortStore2
  2,048 kB flash memory, supports the TCP Client/Server mode. The typical application is connecting phone branche exchanges over ethernet network and reading the stored data.
• PortStore
  2,048 kB flash memory, supports TCP Server mode and email notifications. The typical application is connecting phone branche exchanges over ethernet network and reading the stored data.
• HW Virtual Serial Port
  Free Virtual Serial Port driver for Windows is a software tool, which adds a virtual Comm port to the system, for instance COM5, and all the data from this port is re-directed to another TCP/IP device on the Ethernet network.  
• Eth. I/O Controller
  Connecting binaty inputs/outputs to Ethernet, together with the serial line. In the Server mode, the binary input/outputs can only be monitored, in the TCP Client/Server mode, the box will report input changes.