AXIS 330 Cobra - Questions and Answers

General Questions  

What is a protocol converter? 
What is IBM emulation? 
Which printers can I connect to an AXIS 330 Cobra? 
How do I install and configure my AXIS 330 Cobra? 
What is the throughput of the AXIS 330 Cobra? 
What makes Axis protocol converters different from other brands? 
How is the AXIS 330 Cobra upgraded? 
What is the rotary switch used for? 
Can I use the AXIS 330 Cobra to print logos, forms and bar codes? 
How do I select between IBM 5219/3812 and IBM 4214 emulation?
What is extended emulation and transparency? 
How do I turn extended emulation on/off?
I have a BGU/AFP application generating graphics, can the AXIS 330 Cobra print it? 
My AS/400 is connected to a LAN with PC's and other computers, can I print from them to the AXIS 330 Cobra? 

Installation & Configuration

Can I connect directly to my twisted pair cables? 
Do I need to select a printer driver? 
How do I configure the AXIS 330 Cobra for use with Russian, Thai, Japanese etc.? 
How do I change parameters? 
How do I configure for use with FormsXpress from Xpoint? 
How do I set the device address? 
What security functions are offered with parameter editing? 
How do I connect my label printer with serial RS232 connection to an AXIS 330 Cobra? 
Do I need to use an external power supply? 

Q: What is a protocol converter?
A: A protocol converter is a device that translates one communication protocol into another. The AXIS 330 Cobra product converts IBM 5250/SCS data stream into ASCII. This allows you to connect to any ASCII printer to your IBM midrange system giving a better and cheaper printer solution.

Q: What is IBM emulation?
A: A protocol converter is a device that translates one communication protocol into another. The AXIS 330 Cobra product converts IBM 5250/SCS data stream into ASCII. This allows you to connect to any ASCII printer to your IBM midrange system giving a better and cheaper printer solution.

Q: Which printers can I connect to an AXIS 330 Cobra?
A: You can connect any ASCII printer with parallel centronics connection to the AXIS 330 Cobra. Pre-made printer drivers are available for all major printer emulation languages such as IBM Proprinter, Epson FX/LQ and HP-PCL. A generic driver is also available to edit for any other printer (4214 mode only).

Q: How do I install and configure my AXIS 330 Cobra?
A: The AXIS 330 Cobra's default is IBM 3812/5219 emulation with HP-PCL printer driver. Normally you only need to select System Language. In IBM 4214 emulation for basic printing, no setup is needed in the box. If you want to take advantage of more features in your IBM system, you need to select Printer Driver, IBM Printer Emulation and System Language. This can be done within minutes using a locally connected 5250 terminal with menus as guidance or by using the host to down-load a pre-made configuration. If you replace an IBM printer, changes on your IBM host are not necessary. Just replace and run. If you install a new device you can use automatic or manual installation depending on your host settings.

Q: What is the throughput of the AXIS 330 Cobra?
A: The AXIS 330 Cobra is a high-speed protocol converter. Equipped with the latest communication processor from Axis, the maximum print speed is 100PPM. The AXIS 330 Cobra can also drive high speed line printers.

Q: What makes Axis protocol converters different from other brands?
A: Axis was one of the first companies to enter the IBM compatible market twelve years ago. Based on our own chip design, our products give you a reliable, high-tech printer solution with low power consumption. Additional features like transparency, bar code generator and parameter editing gives you a flexible solution for many years to come. This flexibility makes it possible to replace almost any competitor product with a simple configuration.

Q: How is the AXIS 330 Cobra upgraded?
A: The AXIS 330 Cobra is equipped with flash memory. Upgrades are easy using a special cable (part no. 14510) from any PC with a parallel centronics port. Latest revisions can be downloaded via the Internet in our ftp area or from our BBS.

Q: What is the rotary switch used for?
A: The rotary switch is used to set the device address used for the AXIS 330 Cobra. It is also used for test functions like printing of the Parameter List, start Terminal Setup, Hex dump mode and Self Test page, etc.

Q: Can I use the AXIS 330 Cobra to print logos, forms and bar codes?
A:  Yes, even if the original IBM SCS printers cannot print logos, forms and bar codes, apart from LAC support in IBM 4214-2, you can with an AXIS 330 Cobra. To print logos and forms, you can use the extended emulation and transparency, but you can also permanently store logos and fonts in the AXIS 330 Cobra to minimize the data sent from your host. The AXIS 330 Cobra also has built-in generation of the most common bar codes EAN8/13, UPC A, Code 39, Code 128, Interleaved 2-of-5 and Codabar Matrix.

Q: How do I select between IBM 3812/5219 and IBM 4214 emulation?
A: Both IBM 3812/5219 and IBM 4214 emulation are available in the same firmware but they cannot be used at the same time. The default is IBM 3812/5219. To switch to IBM 4214, simply select IBM 4214 with the rotary switch. To switch back to IBM 3812/5219, use the rotary switch.

Q: What is extended emulation and transparency?
A: In addition to emulating an IBM printer, the extended emulation mode gives you access to functions not available in standard IBM printers. These functions are:

Hex transparency (print any data to the printer)
The sequence color="#000000" %%41584953% sent from the host will print AXIS on your printer, but of course the hex data can be any printer command like graphics, PostScript or PCL.

Configuration from the system
The sequence %P=10,1=205=206% sent from the host will set parameter #010 (System Language) to US English and save it.

Advanced printer control (bin selection etc.)

Modification of the character translation tables (other languages)
The sequence %P=54,5=203,$9E,$FA=205=206% sent from the host will change one character ($9E) in the internal character translation table to the ASCII character ($FA), initialize it and save it.

User definable strings (UDS) (logos, forms etc.)
The sequence %01Axis%02 sent from the host will send the contents of UDS1 before Axis and UDS2 after Axis. UDS1 and 2 could contain strings for underline, fonts etc.

String substitutions (search and replace character sequences)
The sequence %P=70,'Axis'=71,'Cobra'=205=206% sent from the host will enable string substitution and all Axis will be replaced by Cobra in the text.

Bar code printing
The sequence %P=211,1,2,2,1,0=212,"Cobra"% will print a Code 39 bar code with the content Cobra.

Note: All above examples assume that the extended emulation is entered (enabled) with &&??%%P.

Q: How do I turn extended emulation and transparency on/off?
A: By sending the sequence &&??%%P you enable the default settings of the extended emulation. The &&?? is a password and %%P sets up the multi-byte hex transparency lead-in to %%, the multi-byte hex transparency trailer, configuration trailer and single byte transparency character to % and finally the configuration lead-in to %P. To turn off the extended emulation you send &&??000 which clears all extended emulation settings. Extended emulation can also be activated via the terminal setup.

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Q: I have a BGU/AFP application generating graphics, can the AXIS 330 Cobra print it?
A: Yes, the AXIS 330 Cobra supports BGU printing with LAC (Load Alternate Characters) in IBM 4214 emulation mode. You must select a matrix printer driver like IBM Proprinter or Epson DX/DFX/LQ. IBM 5219/3812 does not by definition support BGU graphics printing.

Q: My AS/400 is connected to a LAN with PC's and other computers, can I print from them to the AXIS 330 Cobra?
A: Yes, the AXIS 330 Cobra supports ASCII transparency and even if you don't use PC/Support or Client Access you can upload print files with LPR/LPD to the AS/400 and print through the AXIS 330 Cobra. With this solution, the same printer can be used as a PC printer and as a system printer.

Q: Can I connect directly to my twisted pair cables?
A: No, but you can connect the baluns used with twisted pair directly to the T-bar that is delivered with the AXIS 330 Cobra. The T-bar also makes it possible to connect and disconnect the AXIS 330 Cobra without disturbing other units on the same twinax line.

Q: Do I need to select a printer driver?
A: In 5219/3812 mode, the default is HP-PCL which gives you most of the functionality. In the other drivers for HP LaserJet 4, IBM Laser (PPDS) and Kyocera printers more functions are available. In 4214 mode, the default printer driver only gives you basic printing. Printer drivers are provided for all major printer emulations like HP-PCL, Proprinter, Epson, Fujitsu and as well as a generic driver to customize to any printer (plotter, label etc.). When you have selected a printer driver, more features and functions are available in your IBM systems, like bold, underline, quality, character spacing and the possibility to print IBM graphics.

Q: How do I configure the AXIS 330 Cobra for use with languages like Russian, Thai, Japanese?
A: The AXIS 330 Cobra has character translation tables for all western languages. For other languages, the character translation tables can be edited. Arabic and Hebrew can also be printed if the host system handles right-to-left printing. Standard Japanese, Chinese and Korean are supported by the AX-3 Cobra+ DBCS. The AXIS 330 Cobra does not contain any fonts, which means that your printer must have the characters used in your country.

Q: How do I change parameters?
A: There are two ways to change the parameters.

Using extended emulation.
The sequence &&??%%P%P=10,1=206=205% sent from the host will set parameter #010 (System Language) to US English and save it.

Terminal configuration.
By connecting a standard IBM 5250 terminal you can edit all parameters and select printer driver.

Q: How do I configure for use with FormsXpress software from Xpoint?
A: To enable use of the FormsXpress software from Xpoint you need to edit the parameters that control hex transparency. The sequence &&??%%P%P=40,$BA=41,$BA,$BA=43,$5B=136=137=205=206% will set the Escape character, Transparency Lead-in, Trailer sequence to the appropriate values and clear Bold offset.

Q: How do I set the device address?

A: The device address is set with the rotary switch. Address 0-6 can be used. Position 7 indicates disconnection from the twinax line. The device address is only read at power-up. An accidental change will give a printed message at the next power up stating previous and current (new) address selectable.

Q: What security functions are offered with parameter editing?
A: To enter parameter editing, you must enable Extended Emulation with a password and set up the characters that control the enter and exit of the Extended Emulation mode. Default password is &&??. This password can be changed to any character string up to 8 characters. Enter and exit parameter editing is default set to %P and % but can be changed to any string of max 8 characters.

Q: How do I connect my label printer with serial RS232 connection to an AXIS 330 Cobra?
A: The AXIS 330 Cobra only offers parallel centronics connection. If you have a serial connection, you should use the AXIS Cobra+ which has both serial and parallel connection possibilities.]

Q: Do I need to use an external power supply?
A: The AXIS 330 Cobra can be powered by either the printer itself (if the printer supplies +5V,170mA on pin 18 in the parallel centronics connector) or by an external AXIS PS-A power supply or any similar AC or DC power supply.

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