Netcomm np3680 Guía Del Usuario
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NP3680 User Guide
YML838 Rev
9.2 Link & Unlink
“NetUSB” allows you to use USB printers or USB MFPs as if they were connected directly to your PC although
they are actually connected to the NP3680 USB MFP server. The “link” operation is a software operation that
simulates an actual USB device plug-in. That is to say, when you do a “link” operation in the Control Center,
PC can then detect a USB device’s plug-in, although actually you do not plug in any USB device. Similarly,
the “unlink” operation is a software operation that simulates the disconnection of the USB device. Once the
link operation is successful, the operations to use that USB device are just the same as if the USB device is
directly connected to the PC.
they are actually connected to the NP3680 USB MFP server. The “link” operation is a software operation that
simulates an actual USB device plug-in. That is to say, when you do a “link” operation in the Control Center,
PC can then detect a USB device’s plug-in, although actually you do not plug in any USB device. Similarly,
the “unlink” operation is a software operation that simulates the disconnection of the USB device. Once the
link operation is successful, the operations to use that USB device are just the same as if the USB device is
directly connected to the PC.
If a USB device is linked by a PC, we say that PC has the ownership of the USB device. Only one PC can get
the ownership of a USB device at the same time. However, we provide a “force link” operation for users to
forcedly get the ownership. Basically, the “force link” operation is equivalent to two consecutive operations –
unlink from the original PC and link to the new PC. However, we don’t recommend this way to get ownership
because data loss may occur if the USB device is busy in operation while the “force link” takes place.
the ownership of a USB device at the same time. However, we provide a “force link” operation for users to
forcedly get the ownership. Basically, the “force link” operation is equivalent to two consecutive operations –
unlink from the original PC and link to the new PC. However, we don’t recommend this way to get ownership
because data loss may occur if the USB device is busy in operation while the “force link” takes place.
For printers, users can mix print jobs with traditional printing protocols, such as LPR or SMB or IPP, and
with the NetUSB printing, as long as the printer is in “unlink” state (that is, no PC get the ownership of that
printer.) when a print job with traditional protocols occurs. Similarly, for scanners, users can mix scan jobs
with “Network Scanner” described in Chapter 7 and with the NetUSB scanning, as long as the scanner is in
“unlink” state when a user uses “Network Scanner” to scan. However, for USB storage, if the storage access
mode is in NetUSB mode, users can only use NetUSB technology to access storage. On the other hand, if the
storage access mode is in server mode, users can only use FTP or SMB to access storage.
with the NetUSB printing, as long as the printer is in “unlink” state (that is, no PC get the ownership of that
printer.) when a print job with traditional protocols occurs. Similarly, for scanners, users can mix scan jobs
with “Network Scanner” described in Chapter 7 and with the NetUSB scanning, as long as the scanner is in
“unlink” state when a user uses “Network Scanner” to scan. However, for USB storage, if the storage access
mode is in NetUSB mode, users can only use NetUSB technology to access storage. On the other hand, if the
storage access mode is in server mode, users can only use FTP or SMB to access storage.