Unlike the earlier DOS operating systems, Windows® doesn’t check to see if the printer is busy at the very beginning of the printing process. Windows will send out data to start a job even if the printer is signaling busy or unavailable. If your print sharer doesn’t have a buffer, critical printer-initialization information can be lost before your job is started. Once the initialization information is lost, the printer cannot interpret the job correctly.

A buffered print-sharing device is the most practical solution. When Windows starts printing to a buffered port, it “thinks“ it’s talking directly to the printer, and the critical initialization information is stored by the buffer. The buffer can send out a busy signal to Windows, so it delays sending more information until the buffer is accessible again.

Remote access servers (RASs) are high-level intelligent devices with multiple asynchronous communication ports that connect to modems and provide remote users with dial-in access to a central site network.

You can configure your RAS to operate via remote control or remote node access.

Remote control operation enables remote users to send keystroke data and receive screen output from the central site. The actual processing takes place inside the communication server. Remote node access enables the remote user to become a network node and all remote workstations to function as if they were connected locally.

A fixed-port remote access server has a network connection to your LAN and one or more asynchronous RS-232 ports that connect to external modems. It usually comes equipped with 4, 8, or 16 async ports and is easy to install, support, and maintain. These devices are ideal for traveling workers who don’t have a remote office but who need connections to the corporate network for short periods of time.

For configuration flexibility, scalability, and remote wide-area connection options, choose a modular remote-access server that you can change as your network grows. Most modular RASs accept a variety of modules, including:

• High-density async RS-232 modules that connect to external modems or ISDN terminal adapters. These modules typically have eight or more ports.
• High-density modem modules that usually incorporate eight modems on a single card, enabling you to consolidate equipment costs, increase reliability, and simplify management.
• Digital modules that enable you to make direct connections to high-speed digital lines. Instead of using multiple dialup lines, you can use these devices to bring a single high-speed digital phone line—known as a channelized T1— to your equipment.

The best way to determine what type of RAS you need—or whether you need a router or a RAS—is to identify what remote solution will meet your connectivity requirements. If you’re not sure what you need, contact our FREE Tech Support.