Leica Biosystems LPC Software installation - Manual (Page 170)

170 Software Installation Manual, Revision 2 - 03/2010
Many cassette-printing applications require that the data printed on the
cassettes come from another computer called a host. The host computer
must be connected to the cassette printing computer via some type of com-
munications medium and using some type of communications protocol. The
LabeLase® Printer software allows you to connect to another computer or
network to facilitate the download of data to the printer.
4.1 Connection type
You must select the physical medium to be used to connect the cassette
printer's PC to your host. You can select from RS232-C serial port or a net-
work connection using TCP/IP.
RS232-C Serial Port - Most personal computers have a communications
port called an RS232-C port. This port provides a serial link to other comput-
ers, modems and printers that also have this type of port. A serial port pro-
vides a one-to-one connection path between two devices only. It is simple
to connect and configure, but has limitations on the speed at which the de-
vices may communicate. The PC's operating system does not provide any
low-level communications protocols or "stacks" for serial ports. All of the
communications must be implemented by the application software.
Network Configuration - Modern personal computers often have an addi-
tional mechanism for connecting to other computers – a network interface.
Today, the Ethernet network medium is arguably the most common form of
network interface, but others include Token Ring, Arcnet, etc. If your PC
does not have a network interface, one can easily be added by inserting a
Network Interface Card (NIC) into an expansion slot in the computer. The
Windows operating system has drivers for most common cards, and sup-
plies the low-level network "stack" of protocols to establish communications
between your PC and the network.
4. Host Communication