Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!dalcs!lane From: lane@dalcs.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Printer sharing box for many PC's Message-ID: <2449@dalcs.UUCP> Date: Sun, 15-Mar-87 14:49:50 EST Article-I.D.: dalcs.2449 Posted: Sun Mar 15 14:49:50 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 15-Mar-87 23:39:32 EST References: <346@rocky2.UUCP> Reply-To: lane@dalcs.UUCP (John Wright/Dr. Pat Lane) Organization: Dept. of Math., Stats & C.S., Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Canada Lines: 41 Keywords: print spooling, multiple printers, sharing Summary: "the Logical Connection", the ultimate printer sharing switch In article <346@rocky2.UUCP> reintom@rocky2.UUCP writes: > >We need one of those devices that allow you to share a printer among >several PC's. ... I have seen a few advertised but the claims are vague. Hi. good question... I've been considering the same sort of problem and how to get around spending $$$ on a LAN and having to dedicate a system to print spooling (that, BTW, being one obvious solution to the problem). I have in hand an ad for "the Logical Connection, a programmable multi- port interface device, suggested retail $495" from Fifth Generation Systems 7942 Picardy Ave, Suite B350, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809, Sales: 909 Electric Ave, Suite 308, Seal Beach, CA 90740, 213-493-4483. The ad pictures a box with 8 connectors which can be plugged into any combination of systems and printers. The ad says that a "big (256K or 512K), smart ( the box remembers the interface (serial or parallel), handshaking, baud rate, etc. for each device) buffer spools each document for sequential printing." Different printers are identified by an 8 char "selection string". Several "Logical Connections" can be "daisy-chained" using single twisted-pair wiring. Modems can also be used. Sounds pretty spiffy. I would imagine that the size of the buffer would be a serious limitation for some applications and I would assume that the box cannot be printing on two printers at the same time (on that I could well be wrong). I dont know what it does to a system trying to send new data when its buffer is full or its acceping data from another system. Probably just pulls down (or up?) the DTR line or sends X-OFF or whatever is appropriate. I dont know if it does anything about printing banner pages or if it automatically form-feeds between files. Anyone used this box or have more info? I'd be interested and I'm sure so would Tom. Disclaimer: They wouldn't print it if wasn't true... :-) (I have no connection to the "Logical Connection" and have never used it.) -- John Wright ////////////////// Phone: 902-424-3805 or 902-424-6527 Post: c/o Dr Pat Lane, Biology Dept, Dalhousie U, Halifax N.S., CANADA B3H-4H8 Ean/Bitnet: lane@cs.dal.cdn Arpa: lane%cs.dal.cdb%ubc.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa Uucp:{seismo,watmath,utai,garfield}!dalcs!lane Csnet:lane%cs.dal.cdn@ubc.csnet