News on 23 January 2008

InfoPrint Solutions Company, a Ricoh-IBM joint venture, announces enhancements to the InfoPrint 6500 printer.

The InfoPrint 6500 printers offer ease of use, cost-effective printing, and powerful remote management to keep information flowing.

Enhancements to the InfoPrint 6500 include:

  • New printer controller
  • Improved 802.11 b/g wireless Ethernet adapter with a radio
  • Customer-installable on-board Ethernet 10/100 BaseT port

The InfoPrint 6500 models are feature-rich impact printers that deliver:

  • A new, more reliable controller with improved circuitry
  • A customer-installable Ethernet 10/100 BaseT Ethernet port
  • A wireless Ethernet adapter with improved security
  • Print speeds up to 2,000 lines per minute (lpm) for demanding industrial printing applications
  • A high-function operator interface
  • An ultra capacity ribbon with a 50 million character life
  • An intelligent ribbon system designed to maintain optimum print quality
  • Proactive printer monitoring with the InfoPrint Printer Management Utility (PMU)

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Key prerequisites

InfoPrint 6500
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Planned availability dates

January�25,�2008

  • V6 controller (#9500)
  • On-board Ethernet adapter (#4277 and 5610)

February�29,�2008

  • Wireless Ethernet adapter (#4556 and 4554)

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Description

The InfoPrint 6500 printers attach to a wide spectrum of systems � from mainframes and parallel servers to PCs. The Models�v5P, v05, v1P, v10, v15, and v20 offer:

  • Print speeds up to 2,000 lines per minute
  • High-function operator interface

The 6500 is being enhanced with a new, more reliable V6 controller that features improved circuitry and a larger flash memory.

This controller includes serial and parallel ports, a diagnostic port, a new optional integrated 10/100 Ethernet port, and one PCI adapter expansion slot.

An improved wireless Ethernet adapter is now available. This adapter includes a radio so that it is not necessary for the customer to obtain a radio card. This new wireless adapter supports 802.11 b/g, WEP, WPA, WPA2, and provides compatibility for future protocols.

Ordering and configuration information

Effective today, all orders for an InfoPrint 6500 must include Feature number 9500 (V6 controller). The following provides information regarding the ordering of an InfoPrint 6500 printer with the V6 controller.

  • There is a maximum of one of the following adapters:
    • Coax/Twinax adapter (#4830, 5837)
    • Wireless Ethernet adapter (#4554, 4556)
  • Wireless Ethernet can only be ordered as an MES. It is not available on an initial order.
  • The power stacker (RPQ 8B4515) is not available with the Coax/twinax adapter (#4830, 5837) or the wireless adapter (#4556, 4554).
  • InfoPrint 6500 printers with the V6 controller will have a "J" in the third digit of the printer serial number. (For example: xxJxxxx) Thus, printers containing the new controller can be identified by both the presence of Feature number 9500 and by the unique serial number.

A detailed description of the new on-board 10/100 Ethernet adapter and the wireless adapter features follow.

On-board 10/100BaseT Ethernet � Initial (#4277)
On-board 10/100BaseT Ethernet � MES (#5610)

The on-board Ethernet 10/100BaseT adapter is only available when the V6 controller (#9500) is installed.

This adapter can connect the printer to an Ethernet network using IPDS�, TCP/IP, NetBIOS TCP/IP, or IPX.

When the IPDS feature (#4861, 7866) is installed with this feature, the Ethernet 10/100 BaseT NIC can be used for IPDS printing.

This adapter provides the capability to provide printer status information via a Web page when the printer's IP address is supplied to a standard Web browser. This is in addition to the function provided by the InfoPrint Printer Management Utility.

The power stacker RPQ 8B4515 is compatible with Feature number 4277.

Technical specifications:

  • Maximum number of features: One of either Feature number 4277 or 5610.
  • Prerequisites: InfoPrint 6500 Model�v5P, v05, v1P, v10, v15, and v20 with Feature number 9500.
  • Corequisites: None.
  • Compatibility conflicts: This adapter does not use the available PCI adapter slot so one of the following adapters can be installed when this feature is installed:
    • Coax/Twinax (#4830, 5837)
    • Wireless Ethernet (#4556, 4554, 4542, 4544, 4545)
  • Customer setup: Yes, for Feature number 4277; no, for Feature number 5610.

Wireless Ethernet w/radio cabinet � MES (#4556)
Wireless Ethernet w/radio pedestal � MES (#4554)

This feature provides an adapter card that is integrated into the printer. This adapter provides a wireless Ethernet 802.11b/g compatible interface that supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2.

The appropriate wireless radio and antenna are included with this feature.

The radio card is a compact flash Symbol Technologies LA-5127.

It is not necessary for the customer to obtain a radio or antenna.

Note that this feature is not available on an initial order.

Technical specifications:

  • Prerequisites
    • Feature number 4556 requires a cabinet Model�v05, v10, v15, or v20
    • Feature number 4554 requires a pedestal Model�v1p or v5p
  • Compatibility conflicts
    • Without V6 controller (#9500)

      There is a maximum of two of the following adapters per InfoPrint 6500 printer when the power stacker (RPQ 8B4515) is not installed. The maximum is one adapter when the power stacker is installed.

      • Coax/Twinax adapter (#4830, 5837)
      • The PCI 10/100 Ethernet NIC (#4177, 5180)
      • Wireless Ethernet w/radio (#4554, 4556)

        This new wireless feature (#4554, 4556) cannot be installed with the old wireless adapter (#4542, 4544, 4545).

    • With the v6 controller (#9500)

      This new wireless feature uses the only available PCI adapter slot. It cannot be installed with:

      • Coax/Twinax adapter (#4830, 5837)
      • The PCI 10/100 Ethernet NIC (#4177, 5180)
      • Power stacker (RPQ 8B4515)

      This new wireless feature can be installed with the on-board 10/100 Ethernet feature (#4277, 5610).

  • Corequisites: None.
  • Customer setup: No.
  • Limitations: These features cannot be ordered on an initial order.
  • Maximum allowed: One.
  • Minimum required: None.
  • Field installation: Yes, both Feature numbers 4556 and 4554 are only field installable.

Coax/Twinax attachment (#4830, 5837)

The Coax/Twinax attachment provides the addition of both a coax and a twinax interface, in addition to the ASCII serial/parallel interface.

When this feature is installed, the ASCII serial and parallel ports are still available on the printer.

Technical specifications:

  • Maximum number of features: One of either Feature number 4830 or 5837.
  • Prerequisites: InfoPrint 6500 Line Matrix Printer Models�v5P, v05, v1P, v10, v15, and v20.
  • Corequisites: None.
  • Compatibility conflicts:
    • On initial orders, Feature number 4830 cannot be installed with ANSI 3.64 Emulation (#4521) or Telnet (#4520).
    • Without V6 controller (# 9500)
      • On MES orders, Feature number 5837 cannot be installed when the power stacker feature (RPQ 8B4515) has been installed.
      • There is a maximum of two of the following adapters per InfoPrint 6500 printer when the power stacker is not installed. The maximum is one adapter when the power stacker is installed.
        � Coax/Twinax (#4830, 5837)
        � PCI 10/100 Ethernet (#4177, 5180)
        � Wireless Ethernet (#4542, 4544, 4545, 4554, 4556)
    • With the V6 controller (# 9500)
      • This feature uses the only PCI adapter slot available. The PCI Ethernet NIC (#4177, 5180), or the Wireless Ethernet (#4556, 4554, 4542, 4544, 4545) cannot be installed when the Coax/Twinax adapter is installed. The on-board 10/100 Ethernet (#4277, 5610) can be installed with this Coax/Twinax Adapter.
      • The power stacker (RPQ 8B4515) is not available with this Coax/Twinax adapter and the V6 controller (#9500).
  • Customer setup: Yes, if ordered along with the base printer. If ordered later as an MES, Service must install it as Feature number 5837.
  • Limitations: None.
  • Field installable: Yes.
  • Initial order: Yes, as Feature number 4830.
  • Cable orders: None.

PCI Ethernet 10/100BaseT NIC adapter (#4177, 5180)

The PCI Ethernet 10/100BaseT NIC Adapter is an internal adapter to connect the printer to an Ethernet network using IPDS, TCP/IP, NetBIOS TCP/IP, or IPX. This Network Interface Card (NIC) is an internal adapter and does not use the parallel port.

When the IPDS feature (#4861, 7866) is installed with this feature, the PCI Ethernet 10/100 BaseT NIC can be used for IPDS printing.

This adapter provides the capability to provide printer status information via a Web page when the printer's IP address is supplied to a standard Web browser. This is in addition to the function provided by the InfoPrint Printer Management Utility.

Technical specifications:

  • Maximum number of features: One of either Feature number 4177 or 5180.
  • Prerequisites: InfoPrint 6500 Model�v5P, v05, v1P, v10, v15, and v20.
  • Corequisites: None.
  • Compatibility conflicts:
    • Without V6 controller (#9500)
      • There is a maximum of two of the following adapters per InfoPrint 6500 printer when the power stacker (RPQ 8B4515) is not installed. The maximum is one adapter when the power stacker is installed.
        � Coax/Twinax adapter (#4830, 5837)
        � The PCI 10/100 Ethernet NIC (#4177, 5180)
        � Wireless Ethernet (#4542, 4544, 4545, 4554, 4556)
    • With the V6 controller (#9500)
      • The power stacker (RPQ 8B4515) is not available when this feature is installed.
      • On initial orders, this PCI Ethernet (#4177) is not available. Use the on-board Ethernet (#4277)
      • On MES orders, this adapter uses the only PCI adapter slot available; hence, no other adapter can be used. InfoPrint highly discourages the use of this PCI Ethernet (#5180) on V6 controllers, and recommends using the on-board Ethernet (#5610). Business Partners wanting to exhaust their existing stock may use this PCI Ethernet on V6 controllers; although, no other adapter can ever be added.
      • This PCI Ethernet adapter (#4177, 5180) cannot be installed with the on-board Ethernet (#4277, 5610).
  • Customer setup: Yes, for Feature number 4177; no, for Feature number 5180.

Printer Management Utility (PMU)

When ordered with one of the following LAN or wireless Ethernet interfaces (#4277, 5610, 4177, 5180, 4542, 4544, 4545, 4554, 4556) the InfoPrint 6500 natively supports the PMU. This utility provides a database from which the user can have real-time visibility to printer status and ribbon life for every InfoPrint 6500 and 6700 installed on their network.

Using the database, a remote user can quickly create master configurations, and then download them to multiple printers simultaneously. If microcode updates are required, the PMU also enables new microcode to easily be downloaded to multiple printers. If a simple configuration change is required, or for problem determination, the PMU allows the use of a virtual operator panel, thereby providing the operator with complete control over the printer.

The Printer Management Utility also provides proactive printer monitoring by immediately notifying the appropriate operators when assistance is required. At the moment an alert occurs, a message indicating the type of alert is sent via e-mail to the specific operator tasked with resolving that class of alert. For example, when a "ribbon low" alert is generated by a printer, an e-mail will be sent to the person responsible for installing new ribbons on the printer.

The Printer Management Utility can be downloaded by going to

  1. Choose "Downloads and Drivers"
  2. Then choose InfoPrint 6500

Telnet 3270e and 5250e (#4520)

The Telnet 3270e and 5250e feature allows printing that is currently performed with coax SCS or twinax SCS attached printers to be easily migrated to network-attached printers without changing the existing application.

For printers with the V6 controller (#9500), this feature must be used with either the on-board 10/100 BaseT Ethernet adapter (#4277, 5610) or the wireless Ethernet (#4542, 4544, 4545, 4554, 4556).

Without the V6 controller, this feature can be used with the 10/100 BaseT Ethernet adapter (#4177, 5180) or the wireless Ethernet adapter (#4542, 4544, 4545, 4554, 4556).

The Telnet feature cannot be used with any IPDS feature, the Coax/Twinax adapter, ANSI, or any network print server.

Technical specifications:

  • Maximum number of features: One
  • Prerequisites: Since this feature is initial order only, the following must also be ordered or installed prior to use:
    • PCI Ethernet 10/100BaseT NIC adapter (#4177, 5180)
    • On-board 10/100 BaseT Ethernet (#4277, 5610)
    • Wireless Ethernet (#4542, 4544, 4545, 4554, 4556)
  • Corequisites: None
  • Compatibility conflicts: Cannot be installed with any of the following features:
    • Coax/Twinax adapter (#4830, 5837)
    • IPDS (#4861, 7866) or
    • ANSI 3.64 Emulation (#4521)
  • Customer setup: Yes
  • Limitations: Initial order only
  • Field installable: No
  • Initial order: Yes, for #4520
  • Cable order: No

IPDS (#4861, 7866)

This feature provides IPDS for the Models�v5P, v05, v1P, v10, v15, and v20.

Supported adapters include:

  • Coax/Twinax attachment (#4830, 5837)
  • 10/100 BaseT Ethernet adapter (#4177, 5180, 4277, 5610)
  • Wireless Ethernet (#4542, 4544, 4545, 4554, 4556)

IPDS cannot be installed with:

  • ANSI 3.64 Emulation (#4521)
  • Telnet 3270e and 5250e (#4520)

Technical specifications:

  • Maximum number of features: One
  • Corequisites: None
  • Prerequisites: Refer to supported adapters above
  • Compatibility conflicts: Refer to above
  • Customer setup: Yes, for both Feature numbers 4861 and 7866

Business Partner information

If you are a Direct Reseller - System Reseller acquiring products from IBM, you may link directly to Business Partner information for this announcement. A PartnerWorld ID and password are required (use IBM ID).

BP Attachment for Announcement Letter 108-070

Trademarks

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IPDS is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
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InfoPrint is a registered trademark of Ricoh Co., Ltd., in the United States, other countries, or both.
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Ricoh is a registered trademark of Ricoh Co., Ltd., and it's affiliated companies.
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Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

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Publications

The following publications are available and are included on the CD shipped with the InfoPrint� 6500.

Title                                                     Order number
 
InfoPrint 6500 ASCII Program Reference Manual             G550-1009
InfoPrint 6500 User's Manual                              S550-1002
InfoPrint 6500 Quick Start Guide                          S550-1003
InfoPrint 6500 Code V User's Manual                       G550-1011
InfoPrint 6500 IGP User's Manual                          G550-1010
InfoPrint 6500 Coax/Twinax Programmer's Reference         G550-1012
InfoPrint 6500 IPDS(TM) Programmer's Reference            S550-1015
InfoPrint 6500 Ethernet Interface User's Guide            G550-1014
InfoPrint 6500 ANSI Programmer's Reference Manual         G550-1013

All of the above publications are available in the IPS Printing Systems Digital Library that can be accessed at the following Web site

  • Select "Product publications"
  • Select "InfoPrint 6500"

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Technical information

Specified operating environment

Hardware requirements

The InfoPrint 6500 printers attach to systems, controllers, and processors through the following adapters:

  • Coax/Twinax
  • Ethernet 10/100 BaseT LAN
  • Ethernet 10/100 BaseT wireless
  • ASCII

Security, auditability, and control

These products use the security and auditability features of the host hardware, software, or application software.

The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communications facilities.
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Terms and conditions

The terms and conditions for these features are the same as for the base InfoPrint 6500 (Machine type 6500). All warranty, service plans, hourly service rates, maintenance offerings, and other terms and conditions are identical.
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Prices

The prices provided in this announcement are suggested retail prices for the U.S. only and are provided for your information only. Dealer prices may vary, and prices may also vary by country. Prices are subject to change without notice. For additional information and current prices, contact your local InfoPrint Solutions representative.

Product and maintenance charges

InfoPrint 6500 Printer Models�v1p, v5p, v05, v10, v15, and v20

                                               7x24
                                               IOR
                                               monthly
                            Feature  Purchase  maint
Description                 number   price     charge  Model
 
Wireless E'net Cab- MES     4556     $1,120    NC      v05,v10,v15,v20
 
Wireless E'net Ped- MES     4554      1,120    NC      v1p, v5p
 
On-board Ethernet - Initial 4277        695    NC      v05,v10,v15,v20,
                                                        v1p,v5p
 
On-board Ethernet - MES     5610        695    NC      v05,v10,v15,v20,
                                                        v1p,v5p
 
V6 Controller               9500         NC    NC      v05,v10,v15,v20,
                                                        v1p, v5p

              Plant         Field
Feature       install       install    Customer
number        only          only       setup
 
4554          No            Yes        No
4556          No            Yes        No
 
5610          No            Yes        Yes
 
4277          Yes           No         Yes
9500          Yes           No         Yes

ServiceElect maintenance charges

For ServiceElect Maintenance Service Charges, contact IBM Global Services at 888-4343 (426-4343).

Trademarks

�
IPDS is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
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InfoPrint is a registered trademark of Ricoh Co., Ltd., in the United States, other countries, or both.
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Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.