The PWG is the Printer Working Group - an industry consortium of printe=
r, print
software and major desktop and network operating systems (Microsoft, IB=
M,
Novell, Apple) vendors. We typically meet about 1 per month at some US
location. We develop (hopefully, market driven) standards for our indus=
try.
A BOF (Birds-of-a-Feather) is a term used in the industry when one grou=
p
decides to propose a standards project which is intended to be derived =
from,
similar to or otherwise based on another standards project. In this cas=
e, the
PWG is already working on (and nearly completed) a "Finisher MIB". A MI=
B
(Management Information Base) is a data structure and group of attribut=
es for
use with the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). There is alread=
y a
Printer MIB which is quite broadly adopted in the industry (IBM, HP, Le=
xmark,
Tektronics, Xerox, Dataproducts, Kyocera and more). The Printer MIB is =
a
standard which allows people to write software that can MANAGE more tha=
n one
companies product... something customers demand.
The Finisher MIB is a follow-on to the Printer MIB. It extends manageme=
nt
capability out to the Finisher (configuration, status, supplies level e=
tc.).
The Finisher MIB could be implemented in a stand-alone network attached=
finisher (but I don't think there are too many of these today). More li=
kely,
the finisher is inline with a network attached printer and is somehow f=
eeding
information back to a controller on the Printer which will handle the r=
esponse
to SNMP queries over the network.
This interface, between the Printer and Finisher, is what the BOF in To=
ronto is
about. The BOF is the place where you can bring ideas regarding such an=
interface. You can suggest, rebut, or otherwise participate. The BOF wi=
ll be
most effective if you come prepared with ideas, examples, an overview o=
r white
paper of some kind which communicates your point.
While SNMP and MIBs are limited mainly to MANAGEMENT of devices (config=
uration,
status and events), I suspect a standard printer/finisher communication=
s link
will also address CONTROL. There may be existing or developing standar=
ds which
we would need to understand and desire to "harmonize" with. If you are =
informed
about these, this will be helpful.
I hope this explanation will help you decide regarding your attendance =
and
assist you in your preparation. I look forward to meeting all intereste=
d
parties at the BOF, in Toronto.
Harry Lewis - PWG Finisher MIB Chairman
=