AXIS 370 Cobra - Questions and Answers

General Questions  

What is a protocol converter?   
What is IBM emulation?  
Which printers can I connect to an AXIS 370 Cobra?   
How do I install and configure my AXIS 370 Cobra?  
What is the throughput of the AXIS 370 Cobra?   
What makes Axis protocol converters different from other brands?  
How is the AXIS 370 Cobra upgraded?  
What is the rotary switch used for?  
Can I use the AXIS 370 Cobra to print logos, forms and bar codes?  
What is extended emulation and transparency?
How do I turn extended emulation on/off?  

Installation & Configuration

Can I connect directly to my IBM Cabling System?   
Why do I need to select a printer driver?  
How do I configure the AXIS 370 Cobra for use with Russian, Thai, Japanese etc.?  
How do I change parameters?   
How do I configure for use with Xerox host firmware XPAF? 
How do I use an IBM RPQ function in an AXIS 370 Cobra?   
What security functions are offered with parameter editing?  
How do I connect my label printer with serial RS232 connection to an AXIS 370 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 370 Cobra products convert IBM 3270/SCS data stream into ASCII. This allows you to connect to any ASCII printer to your IBM system giving a better and cheaper printer solution.

Q: What is IBM emulation?
A: Axis IBM products emulate IBM printers.This means that the printout via the Axis product on an ASCII printer gives the same result as if it had been printed on an original IBM printer. The AXIS 370 Cobra can emulate IBM 3287, 4230, 4214-1, 3268, 3262 and 4224-2 in non-IPDS mode.

Q: Which printers can I connect to an AXIS 370 Cobra?
A: You can connect any ASCII printer with parallel centronics connection to the AXIS 370 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.

Q: How do I install and configure my AXIS 370 Cobra?
A: For basic printing, no setup is required. If you what 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 3270 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 need to set up the VTAM logon-mode entries on your host as you would for an IBM printer.

Q: What is the throughput of the AXIS 370 Cobra?
A: The AXIS 370 Cobra is a high-speed protocol converter. Equipped with the latest communication processor from Axis, the maximum print speed is 100PPM. The AXIS 370 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 370 Cobra upgraded?
A: The AXIS 370 Cobra is equipped with flash memory. Upgrades are easy using a special cable (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 for test functions like printing of the Parameter List, start Terminal Setup, Hexdump mode and Self Test page, etc.

Q: Can I use the AXIS 370 Cobra to print logos, forms and bar codes?
A: Yes, even if the original IBM 3270/SCS printers cannot print logos, forms and bar codes, apart from Programmable Symbols in IBM 3287-2C, you can with an AXIS 370 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 370 Cobra to minimize the data sent from your host. The AXIS 370 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: 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=1,66=207,12% sent from the host will set parameter #001 (Page Length) to 66 lines and save it.

Advanced printer control (bin selection etc.)

Modification of the character translation tables (other languages)
The sequence %P=205,$9E,$FA=207,10=207,12% 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=210,$01,'Axis'=210,$02,'Cobra'=207,10=207,12% 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: Can I connect directly to my IBM Cabling System?
A: Yes, the AXIS 370 Cobra is equipped with a DPC connector which makes it possible to connect standard coax cable or IBM Cabling System without any baluns as the necessary hardware is already located in the AXIS 370 Cobra.

Q: Why do I need to select a Printer Driver.
A: To take full advantage of your ASCII printer you need to select a printer driver. The AXIS 370 Cobra offers printer drivers for all major printer emulations like HP-PCL, Proprinter, Epson, Xerox, Fujitsu and in addition, a generic driver is also provided for you to customize to any printer (plotter, label etc.).
The default generic printer driver only offers basic printing. When you have selected a printer driver, more features and functions available in your IBM systems, such as bold, underline, quality, character spacing and IBM graphics.

Q: How do I configure the AXIS 370 Cobra for use with languages like Russian, Thai, Japanese?
A: The AXIS 370 Cobra has character translation tables for all western languages and also for Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, Eastern-Europe, Thai and Japanese Katakana. For other languages, the character translation tables can be edited. Arabic and Hebrew are supported if the printer or the host handles right-to-left printing. Standard Japanese, Chinese and Korean are not supported by the AXIS 370 Cobra, but with the use of hex transparency, these character can still be printed. The AXIS 370 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=1,66=207,12% sent from the host will set parameter #001 (Page Length) to 66 lines and save it.
Terminal configuration.
By connecting a standard IBM 3270 terminal you can edit all parameters, character translation and select printer driver.

Q: How do I configure for use with Xerox host software XPAF?
A: Basic XPAF support is available with the standard Xerox 4045 printer driver (XES) in the standard firmware. If you use font down-load or forms down-load you need an optional firmware for the AXIS 370 Cobra. Please call your local dealer or down-load from Axis ftp area. Also see the technical notes for the AXIS 370 Cobra on the support pages.

Q: How do I use an IBM RPQ function in an AXIS 370 Cobra?
A: All IBM RPQ's are supported. To enable or disable a specific RPQ you change a parameter in the parameter list. All RPQ's are listed in the User's Manual and Technical Reference.

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 370 Cobra?
A: The AXIS 370 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 370 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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