User Guide

Input/output
The product receives print data primarily from the embedded HP Jetdirect print server. The product also
has a USB 2.0 port for connecting directly to a computer.
CPU
The formatter incorporates a 800 MHz processor.
Memory
The random access memory (RAM) on the formatter PCA contains the page, I/O buffers, and the font
storage area. It stores printing and font information received from the host system, and can also serve
to temporarily store a full page of print-image data before the data is sent to the print engine.
NOTE: If the product encounters a problem when managing available memory, a clearable warning
message displays on the control-panel display.
Firmware
The firmware is contained on the hard disk drive (HDD) (M525f model only) or solid state module
(SSM) (M525dn model only). A remote firmware upgrade process is available, which overwrites the
firmware.
Nonvolatile memory
The product uses nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) to store device and user configuration settings. The
contents of NVRAM are retained when the product is turned off or disconnected.
PJL overview
The printer job language (PJL) is an integral part of configuration, in addition to the standard printer
command language (PCL). With standard cabling, the product can use PJL to perform a variety of
functions such as these:
●
Two-way communication. The product communicates with the host computer through a network
connection or a USB connection. The product can inform the host about such things as the control-
panel settings, and the control-panel settings can be changed from the host.
●
Dynamic I/O switching. The product uses this switching to be configured with a host on each I/O.
The product can receive data from more than one I/O simultaneously, until the I/O buffer is full.
This can occur even when the product is offline.
●
Context-sensitive switching. The product can automatically recognize the personality (PS or PCL) of
each job and configure itself to serve that personality.
●
Isolation of print environment settings from one print job to the next. For example, if a print job is
sent to the product in landscape mode, the subsequent print jobs print in landscape mode only if
they are formatted for landscape printing.
6 Chapter 1 Theory of operation ENWW