Print Server BENS G3
The Technology
Appliance or virtual Server Image
BENS G3 represents a technology providing an operating system-independent print server in form of a fanless appliance with an SSD memory (no movable parts) or, alternatively, a virtual server image for VMWare, XEN or HyperView. Up to 50 printers can be run with one appliance, depending on the size and complexity of the data to be printed (for virtual environments, this restriction does not apply).
Communication and Filtering
The print server supports all established print protocols: Socket, SMB, LPR and IPP, as well as SNMP and it is equipped with sophisticated features of "filtering". Filters are programmes that can be uploaded on a BENS G3 Server in order to modify the relevant incoming print data according to the user's expectations before they are transferred to the actual target device. As an example of print data filtering one could state the adding of macros, font types or barcodes. However, more complex tasks such as "Carbon Copy" or the conversion of print data from one printer language into another (e.g. prescribe PCL) are also possible. A crucial feature of the BENS G3 Technology is flexibility: new filters can be readily uploaded and run using the server's board features without necessitating a software modification. For each printer, several different filters can be employed.
Administration
The BENS G3 Technology is supplied together with a WEB-based administration tool. The intuitively operable user interface serves the administrator as a means for the network configuration, the printer definition, the administration of licenses, filters, etc.
System Stability
In order to grant system stability, we optionally supply each device (the "Master") together with a second device ("Slave"), serving as a mirroring server for the "Master". The mirroring is carried out automatically in the background without interrupting the operating process. Should the "Master" suffer a failure, the "Slave" automatically takes over the "Master's" license rights, thereby becoming the "Master" itself. Following repairs, the original "Master" then becomes the "Slave". All licenses for filters are charged only once.
One BENS for Many Printers!
BENS G3: Various Connectivities
Print path 1: from the application via BENS directly to the printer.
Print path 2: from the application via the print server to BENS and on to the printer.
Print path 3: from the application via BENS to the print server and on to the printer.
Standard Filters
Barcode Filter
The BENS G3 Barcode Filter is PCL-compatible and can be immediately used by, for example, the SAP users. No adaptations or changes have to be carried out on the SAP system. BENS G3 can be used in lieu of hardware modules (e.g. barcode Dims), which have to be installed on the printers. In case of a printer failure, the administrator can without any problems transfer the license for the barcode filter to another printer.
Unicode Filter
The Unicode filter enables the printing of Unicode data on printers that are either not Unicode-able or possess no adequate font type. The BENS G3 Unicode filter is supplied together with the Linotype® font Andale which commands more than 60.000 Unicode fonts. SAP users can use this filter in order to, for example, print out documents in foreign languages (such as Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc.).
Prescribe PCL Filter
The Prescribe PCL Filter converses Prescribe print data into PCL print data. This filter is very performant and converses the Prescribe print data into PCL print data without any time lags noticeable to the user.
Carbon Copy Filter
With the Carbon Copy Filter carbon copies are realised, meaning that each page of a print document is immediately copied a multitude of times. The number of copies is adjustable. If, for example, the user sends a document with 4 pages and if 3 is set to be the number of copies, then the printer prints the pages as follows:
1,1,1,2,2,2,3,3,3,4,4,4. This filter is especially useful for environments, where matrix printers will be replaced by laser printers. Optionally, tray feeding and stapling functions can be controlled as well.
OCR-A / OCR-B Filters
This filter allows printing of standardised, optically readable fonts: OCR-A and OCR-B.
Further Filters
Suchy MIPS constantly develops new filters that are of common interest. Upon request, we will of course also develop customer-specific filters. Here is an example for such a customer-specific filter: coloured highlights are converted into black&white, bold and in a larger font size.
Fonts and Macros
Resource Repository
PCL Fonts and Macros can be uploaded into the resource repository using the existing board means of BENS G3. Once uploaded, a macro can be printed out on any optional printers. Using this procedure, the user saves money on expenses for additional, non-volatile memory space for these macros. The user will also save on administration, as in case of macro conversions, one macro has to be converted at one position, only.
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