Hewlett-Packard’s peripherals division in Bblingen, Germany has announced two new 600dpi, 16 page per minute printers, the LaserJet 4si and 4si Mx which are to replace the IIIsi and IIID range. Both feature Hewlett’s JetDirect interface for connection to local networks, which Hewlett-Packard will also market in its own right. The general-purpose 4si LaserJet has enhanced PCL 5 printer language, 2Mb of memory, LocalTalk interface, two input-output slots for optional HP JetDirect Ethernet interfaces and a Bi-Tronics interface reckoned by Hewlett to be faster than a standard parallel port. The Bi-Tronics port also enables status messages to be sent to users’ computer screens when the printer needs servicing, paper or toner. The ‘premier model’ 4si MX also has PCL 5, with Adobe Systems Inc PostScript Level 2, 10Mb of memory, Bi-Tronics and LocalTalk interfaces and a built in JetDirect Ethernet interface. Both machines are based on Canon Inc engines and have Intel 80960CF 25MHz RISC processors.

Data compression

Printer Control Language and Windows PostScript drivers enable the printers to output combination 600dpi text and graphics and the data compression function within PCL 5 enables most documents to be printed within the printer’s standard memory. The JetDirect interfaces can accept data at around 350Kbps about 30 times faster than standard parallel interfaces, according to Hewlett. This is because they send data in 1,024 byte packets instead of a one-byte stream. Print speed is boosted by pages being formatted in a buffer while another is printing. This, together with instant input-output switching provides a continuous stream as the printer switches between PostScript and PCL 5. Both printers come with 45 scalable typefaces and feature Hewlett’s Resolution Enhancement technology, which is designed to sharpen both text and graphics. And an on-line user’s guide, HP Explorer is available with both. Each has two 500-sheet paper trays, and an optional 1,500 sheet feeder is also available to boost capacity to 2,000. They also use microfine toner particles which also helps produce clearer images according to Hewlett. The 4si costs around UKP3,000. The 4si MX is UKP4,500. Both are available now from Hewlett’s dealer network. The target markets will be based on the 3si’s customer profile comprising – around 63% personal computer users; minicomputer users that account for 11%; technical workstation users that comprise 8%; mainframe customers at 5% and 13% of ‘others’. Hewlett-Packard is anxious to stress though that the printers are multi-system rather than simply personal computer-based products. The printers have been designed to reflect Hewlett-Packard’s ‘anywhere to anywhere’ print strategy, which aims to accommodate the complexities of heterogeneous computing environments while keeping pace with users’ demands for speedier and more advanced printers. According to Norwell, Massachusetts-based market research firm BIS Strategic Decisions, 55% of the world’s 100m personal computers will be local network-connected by 1995. In some instances, thousands of users will be connected at a single site. Not only will this require disparate computer operating systems – commonly MS-DOS, Macintosh System and Unix – to work side by side, it will also involve the integration of several different network operating systems, even though Novell Inc’s IPX/SPX protocol is fast becoming the de facto standard.

By Lynn Stratton

It is this need for interoperability, which applies equally to printers as personal computers, that Hewlett-Packard is at pains to reflect – though without compromising printer performance. The company is at best ambivalent about the Network Printing Alliance however – yet another industry body set up to define a standard protocol, this time for distributed local network connected printers and personal computers. As reported earlier (CI No 2,106) the proposed protocol would be independent and, its authors claim, superior to Hewlett’s own Printer Control Language. But until industry giants – and key strategic partners – M

icrosoft Corp and Novell join the alliance, and until it is satisfied that its customer demand is sufficient Hewlett is unlikely to become closely involved in the initiative. Its priority is simply to lead the market with the speediest and most reliable printers, with the easiest local network connections, and with the broadest range of peripherals and implementations. And it reckons its enhanced JetDirect technology, which enables the new printers to work concurrently with personal computers, Macs, Unix workstations and a variety of networks is an important step towards this goal. The JetDirect interface incorporated into the new printers, will also be available as a family of add-in boards. The Ethernet version automatically switches between up to 10 network operating systems and up to four network protocols; the Token Ring board supports five operating systems, up to two protocols. Both boards support NetWare, Microsoft’s LAN Manager, Windows For Workgroups and Windows NT and IBM LAN Server. In addition, the Ethernet board supports the Apple EtherTalk, HP-UX, SunOS, Solaris or Santa Cruz Operation Inc Unix systems along with the IPX/SPX, DLC/LLC and TCP/IP protocols. The Token Ring boards support IPX/SPX and DLC/LLC protocols. Since they are Simple Network Management Protocol-compliant they can also assist with network printer management, providing printer-status reports such as ‘Paperout’ or ‘Tonerlow’. JetAdmin and JetPrint management features are also provided for NetWare users. These offer enhanced bidirectional reporting, automatic client configuration through a one-step installation utility and multiple file server support that provides users with status read-back from any location. The J2371A JetDirect boards for Ethernet 10Base-T, and J2372A boards for 10Base-T/10Base2 cost UKP400. The J2373A board for Token Ring is UKP550 – 30% cheaper than the existing JetDirect board range. The HP J2374A JetDirect HP-UX software kit must be bought with the HP 2371A, or HP2372a boards with HP-UX. The kit includes a CD-ROM and Digital Audio Tape drive.

Solaris

SunOS and Solaris support is provided by the HP 2375A Sun Unix software kit. For printers with no input-output slots such as the LaserJet IIIP, Hewlett-Packard has come up with JetDirect EX boards. They provide similar network and printer management functions through JetAdmin and JetPrint by plugging directly into the printer’s parallel port but they support a single selectable protocol. The EX interfaces are available for NetWare on either Ethernet or Token Ring networks and they are compatible with all Hewlett printers and plotters with parallel ports. They are due to surface next month. The JetDirect EX J2383A for Ethernet BNC/10Base-T costs UKP400 and the J2384A for Token Ring costs UKP550.