User's Manual

27
Printer Setup
Select a Data Communication Interface
5/12/08 ZM™ Series/RZ™ Series User Guide 79695L-002 Rev. A
Select a Data Communication Interface
Table 5 provides basic information about data communication interfaces that you can use to
connect your printer to a computer. You may send label formats to the printer through any data
communication interface that is available. Select an interface that is supported by both your
printer and your computer or your Local Area Network (LAN).
Table 5 • Characteristics of the Data Communication Interfaces
Interface
Standard or
Optional on
Printer
Characteristics
RS-232 Serial Standard • Maximum cable length of 50 ft (15.24 m).
• You may need to change printer parameters to match the host
computer.
• You need to use a null-modem adaptor to connect to the printer
if using a standard modem cable.
IEEE 1284
Bidirectional Parallel
Standard • Maximum cable length of 10 ft (3 m).
• Recommended cable length of 6 ft (1.83 m).
• No printer parameter changes required to match the host
computer.
USB Standard • Maximum cable length of 16.4 ft (5 m).
• No printer parameter changes required to match the host
computer.
Internal wired
Ethernet print server
Optional • Can print to the printer from any computer on your LAN.
• Can communicate with the printer through the printer’s web
pages.
• Computer must be equipped with an Ethernet board.
• The printer must be configured to use your LAN.
Wireless Ethernet
print server
Optional • Can print to the printer from any computer on your Wireless
Local Area Network (WLAN).
• Can communicate with the printer through the printer’s web
pages.
• Computer must be equipped with an Ethernet board.
• The printer must be configured to use your WLAN.
Printer Setup
Select a Data Communication Interface
28
79695L-002 Rev. A ZM™ Series/RZ™ Series User Guide 5/12/08
Data Cables and Wireless Cards
You must supply all data cables or wireless cards for your application.
Data Cables Ethernet cables do not require shielding, but all other data cables must be fully
shielded and fitted with metal or metallized connector shells. Unshielded data cables may
increase radiated emissions above the regulated limits.
To minimize electrical noise pickup in the cable:
• Keep data cables as short as possible.
• Do not bundle the data cables tightly with the power cords.
• Do not tie the data cables to power wire conduits.
Wireless Cards For supported wireless cards, refer to the ZebraNet Wireless Print Server
and Wireless Plus Print Server User Guide. A copy of the manual is available at
http://www.zebra.com/manuals or on the user CD that came with your printer.
Connect the Printer to the Computer or Network
Table 6 shows how to connect the different types of data cables to your printer and computer.
The connectors on the back of your computer may be in different locations than on the sample
computer shown in this section. For another view of the connectors on the printer, see Figure 3
on page 16.
Caution • Ensure that the printer power is off (O) before connecting data communications
cables. Connecting a data communications cable while the power is on (
I) may damage the
printer.
Table 6 • Connecting the Printer to a Computer or Network
Interface Connection and Configuration
RS-232 Serial The baud rate, number of data and stop bits, the parity, and the
XON/XOFF or DTR control must match those of the host computer. See
Control Panel Parameters on page 69 to view or change these parameters.