Print Server Configuration Options

This section describes how to use PCONSOLE to configure PSERVER for the following printers:

Please refer to Options for Non-Apple Printers: -t, -s, -f, and -l for suggestions if you are using LaserWriter-compatible PostScript printers.


Technical Note about Printer Communication Channels

This section discusses the differences between AppleTalk connections and serial, parallel, or Novell Remote Printer connections. These types of communications channels are shown in Table 20.


Table 20. Printer Communication Channels

Type of Connection Description of Communications Channel

AppleTalk

AppleTalk's Printer Access Protocol (PAP) is a "binary capable" communications channel, which means that it has ways of handling flow control, requesting status, and signaling the end of a job which do not depend on a print job's data stream. A binary capable channel allows all 8-bit characters to be received by the printer.

Serial

Serial (RS-232) communication channels may depend on certain control codes such as X-On/X-Off being sent as part of the data stream. A PostScript job on an RS-232 channel includes additional control characters to request printer status (0x14), interrupt the PostScript interpreter (0x3) or signal the end of a job (0x4). When a serial printer receives a data stream including control codes, the printer's communications interface detects the control codes and removes them from the data stream so that they can be acted upon. This means that the serial channel is not "binary- capable," that is, some data values cannot be received by the printer's PostScript interpreter because the communications interface will always intercept them. A serial channel may be configured to use less than 8 bits of data per character.

Parallel or Novell Remote Printer

Centronix Parallel and Novell Remote Printer communications channels use 0x4 (Control-D) to signal the end of a job to the PostScript interpreter, primarily because of the precedent set by the serial channel. This means that parallel and Remote Printer connections are also not binary capable.


Macintosh PostScript Applications

Most Macintosh applications and drivers generate "Clean8Bit" PostScript data. ("Clean8bit" is a PostScript classification specified by Adobe Systems, Inc. in which the PostScript data does not rely on the binary-capable nature of AppleTalk.)

NOTE:  When you use NPRINT to download the SERIAL.PS program to a LaserWriter on a serial channel, the program changes the LaserWriter's interface to accept 8-bit rather than 7-bit data. For all Macintosh applications that produce Clean8Bit data, this program solves problems with character translation or loss of characters that might otherwise be seen on a serial interface.

Some Macintosh applications rely on the binary-capable nature of AppleTalk to send bitmap information or other binary data. Although Adobe Systems has developed a standard for safely encoding binary information for transmission across non-binary channels, few printers currently support it.

If applications at your site produce binary PostScript data, you should connect the printer via AppleTalk rather than by using a serial or other non-binary connection.


DOS PostScript Applications

Many DOS and Windows applications generate PostScript to be sent to a printer across a serial or parallel interface. These applications include the Control-D (0x4) character to signal the end of the job. If this data is sent to a queue serviced by an AppleTalk printer, the Control-D character will be passed to the printer's PostScript interpreter instead of being intercepted by the printer's serial or parallel interface. This can cause PostScript errors or job failures from these applications. ATPS solves this problem by filtering jobs for Control-D characters and replacing them with Printer Access Protocol (PAP) EOFs.

NOTE:  Other DOS and Windows applications may generate binary PostScript data, which could use Control-D as data rather than to signal the end of a job. For these applications, you should create a print job configuration using the "PostScript (Binary Graphics)" mode in PRINTCON. See PostScript Binary Graphics Mode for details.


Creating a Queue for an Apple Printer on a Direct Serial Connection

This example shows how to create a print queue that will be advertised on the AppleTalk network for a LaserWriter NT connected to a serial port on the NetWare v3.12 file server. The example printer setup is shown in Apple Printer on a Direct Serial Connection.

Figure 55
Apple Printer on a Direct Serial Connection

To enter a configuration that will be in effect when you load the ATPS module, follow these steps:

  1. Load INSTALL and select Product Options in the main INSTALL menu.

  2. Press <Enter> on the line specifying NW-MAC v3.12.

    When you press <Enter>, the Editable Configuration Files menu opens.

  3. Use the arrow keys to select ATPS.CFG in the menu and then press <Enter>.

    Pressing <Enter> opens a text editor window in which you can enter the server's print queue configuration. In the ATPS.CFG text window, enter the following configuration line:

    -o serial_Q -l -f applwnt -wb

    NOTE:  If you are creating an AppleTalk print spooler for an existing NetWare print queue, you enter a configuration line such as the one shown above, specifying the existing queue name. In that case, the name of the existing queue must be 31 characters or less.

    When you have entered the configuration line in ATPS.CFG,

  4. Exit the INSTALL program, saving your changes.

  5. Go to a DOS workstation, and log in to the server as supervisor or equivalent.

  6. Open PCONSOLE, highlight Print Queue Information in the Available Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

    To open PCONSOLE, type PCONSOLE at the prompt.

  7. Press <Ins> to create a new queue and enter the name for the queue you just created in ATPS.CFG.

    For this example, type SERIAL_Q.

    In PCONSOLE, the name of a queue is always upper-case, no matter how you type it, so it is not important that you match upper- and lowercase characters when you type the queue name.

  8. Press <Esc>, highlight Print Server Information, and press <Enter>.

  9. Press <Ins> to create a new print server and enter a name for the print server you are creating.

    For this example, type SERIAL_PSRVR (you can specify any valid PCONSOLE name) and then press <Enter>.

  10. Press <Enter> again to get to the Print Server Information window for the server you just created.

  11. Highlight Print Server Configuration and press <Enter>.

  12. Highlight Printer Configuration and press <Enter>.

    Now you have a list of printers that say "Not Installed."

  13. Press <Enter> to define a printer.

  14. Enter a name for the printer connected to the server's serial port.

    Enter a name or leave PRINTER_0 (you can enter any valid PCONSOLE name).

  15. Highlight the Type field and press <Enter>.

    There are four serial choices, one for each possible port on the server. Select the correct choice for the port you used to connect the printer, e.g., COM1.

    NOTE:  Make sure that you choose Serial rather than Remote Serial.

  16. Use the arrow keys to move to the Use Interrupt field.

    If you know the correct interrupt for the serial port you have chosen, leave "Use Interrupts" as "Yes," and enter the IRQ in the proper field below. Otherwise, choose "No."

  17. Unless you have server-specific information that should be added in the next three fields, leave them with the default values.

  18. Use the arrow keys to move to the "Baud Rate" field.

    This and the remaining fields are for information specific to the configuration of your printer's serial interface. For most LaserWriters, the default information will be correct, except for X-ON/X-OFF, which should be turned on. To turn it on,

  19. Choose "Yes" in the "Use X-ON/X-OFF" field.

    If your LaserWriter's serial interface is configured differently, make sure that you change these fields appropriately.

    See Figure 56 for an example PCONSOLE window.

    Figure 56
    Example PCONSOLE Window Showing Direct Serial Connection

  20. Press <Esc> and say "Yes" to save your changes.

  21. Press <Esc> again to leave the configured printer's menu.

  22. In the Print Server Configuration menu, highlight "Queues Serviced by Printer" and press <Enter>.

    The printer you just defined should be listed here.

  23. Choose that printer's name and press <Enter>.

  24. Press <Ins> to see all queues on the server.

  25. Choose SERIAL_Q and press <Enter>.

  26. Press <Enter> again in the "Priority" window.

  27. Press <Esc> twice and highlight "Notify List for Printer" in the Print Server Configuration menu. Then press <Enter>.

    You will see a list of defined printers.

  28. Select your printer and press <Enter>.

  29. Press <Ins> to bring up a list of Notify candidates.

  30. Press <Enter> on "Job Owner."

    Choosing "Job Owner" as a Notify candidate means that the print server will notify the owner of a print job when a printer runs out of paper or goes off-line when processing his or her job.

    When you press <Enter>, a "Notify Intervals" window opens. Press <Esc> and say "Yes" to save all the changes you have made. If you wish to configure more Notify candidates, press <Ins> and repeat the process. When you have configured the Notify List,

  31. Press <Esc> as necessary to exit PCONSOLE.

  32. Return to the file server on which the queue was created.

    At the file server console, type

    LOAD PSERVER SERIAL_PSRVR <Enter>

    If ATPS is already running on this server, unload it by typing

    UNLOAD ATPS <Enter>

    (Otherwise, skip this step.)

    Load ATPS by typing

    LOAD ATPS <Enter>

  33. Return to the DOS workstation again.

  34. Change directories to SYS:PUBLIC and use NPRINT to send the program "SERIAL.PS" to the queue.

    The SERIAL.PS program changes the Apple LaserWriter's serial interface to use 8 bits of data rather than 7 bits. This is recommended for Macintosh print jobs. See Technical Note about Printer Communication Channels for details.


Creating a Queue for an Apple Printer on a Remote DOS Workstation

This example shows how to create a print queue for a LaserWriter connected to a serial port on a remote DOS workstation. The example printer setup is shown in Apple Printer on a Remote DOS Workstation:

Figure 57
Apple Printer on a Remote DOS Workstation

To enter a configuration that will be in effect when you load the ATPS module, follow these steps:

  1. Load INSTALL and select Product Options in the main INSTALL menu.

  2. Press <Enter> on the line specifying NW-MAC v3.12.

    When you press <Enter>, the Editable Configuration Files menu opens.

  3. Use the arrow keys to select ATPS.CFG in the menu and then press <Enter>.

    Pressing <Enter> opens a text editor window in which you can enter the server's print queue configuration. In the ATPS.CFG text window, enter the following configuration line:

    -o remote_Q -l -f applwnt -wb

  4. Exit the INSTALL program, saving your changes.

  5. Go to a DOS workstation, and log in to the server as supervisor or equivalent.

  6. Open PCONSOLE, highlight Print Queue Information in the Available Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

    To open PCONSOLE, type PCONSOLE at the prompt.

  7. Press <Ins> to create a new queue and enter the name for the queue you just created in ATPS.CFG.

    For this example, type REMOTE_Q.

    In PCONSOLE, the name of a queue is always upper-case, no matter how you type it, so it is not important that you match upper- and lowercase characters when you type the queue name.

  8. Press <Esc>, highlight Print Server Information, and press <Enter>.

  9. Press <Ins> to create a new print server and enter a name for the print server you are creating.

    For this example, type any valid PCONSOLE name, such as REMOTE_PSRVR, and then press <Enter>.

  10. Press <Enter> again to get to the Print Server Information window for the server you just created.

  11. Highlight Print Server Configuration and press <Enter>.

  12. Highlight Printer Configuration and press <Enter>.

    Now you have a list of printers that say "Not Installed."

  13. Press <Enter> to define a printer.

  14. Enter a name for the printer connected to the remote DOS workstation's serial port.

    Enter a name or leave PRINTER_0 (you can enter any valid PCONSOLE name).

  15. Highlight the Type field and press <Enter>.

    There are four serial choices, one for each possible port on the server. Select the correct choice for the port you used to connect the printer, e.g., REMOTE COM1.

    NOTE:  Make sure that you choose Remote Serial rather than Serial.

  16. Use the arrow keys to move to the Use Interrupt field.

    If you know the correct interrupt for the serial port you have chosen, leave "Use Interrupts" as "Yes," and enter the IRQ in the proper field below. Otherwise, choose "No."

  17. Unless you have server-specific information that should be added in the next three fields, leave them with the default values.

  18. Use the arrow keys to move to the "Baud Rate" field.

    This and the remaining fields are for information specific to the configuration of your printer's serial interface. For most LaserWriters, the default information will be correct, except for X-ON/X-OFF, which should be turned on. To turn it on,

  19. Choose "Yes" in the "Use X-ON/X-OFF" field.

    If your LaserWriter's serial interface is configured differently, make sure that you change these fields appropriately.

    Figure 58
    Example PCONSOLE Window Showing Remote Serial Connection

  20. Press <Esc> and say "Yes" to save your changes.

  21. Press <Esc> again to leave the configured printer's menu.

  22. In the Print Server Configuration menu, highlight "Queues Serviced by Printer" and press <Enter>.

    The printer you just defined should be listed here.

  23. Choose that printer's name and press <Enter>.

  24. Press <Ins> to see all queues on the server.

  25. Choose REMOTE_Q and press <Enter>.

  26. Press <Enter> again in the "Priority" window.

  27. Press <Esc> twice and highlight "Notify List for Printer" in the Print Server Configuration menu. Then press <Enter>.

    You will see a list of defined printers.

  28. Select your printer and press <Enter>.

  29. Press <Ins> to bring up a list of Notify candidates.

  30. Press <Enter> on "Job Owner."

    Choosing "Job Owner" as a Notify candidate means that the print server will notify the owner of a print job when a printer runs out of paper or goes off-line when processing his or her job.

    When you press <Enter>, a "Notify Intervals" window opens. Press <Esc> and say "Yes" to save all the changes you have made. If you wish to configure more Notify candidates, press <Ins> and repeat the process. When you have configured the Notify List,

  31. Press <Esc> as necessary to exit PCONSOLE.

  32. Return to the file server on which the queue was created.

    At the file server console, type

    LOAD PSERVER REMOTE_PSRVR <Enter>

  33. Return to the remote DOS workstation to which the printer is connected.

  34. Modify SHELL.CFG to contain the line

    SPX=50

  35. Reload the NetWare shell to make this change active.

  36. Log in as GUEST to the server on which the queue was created.

  37. Type RPRINTER at the command line.

    In the main RPRINTER menu,

  38. Select the print server you configured earlier and press <Enter> to open a list of remote printers defined for this print server.

  39. Choose the name of the remote printer you defined for this print server and press <Enter>.

  40. Exit to DOS.

    You will see a message indicating that the remote printer has been installed.

  41. Return to the file server on which the queue was created.

    If ATPS is already running on this server, unload it by typing

    UNLOAD ATPS <Enter>

    (Otherwise, skip this step.)

    Load ATPS by typing

    LOAD ATPS <Enter>

  42. Return to a DOS workstation again.

  43. Change directories to SYS:PUBLIC and use NPRINT to send the program "SERIAL.PS" to the queue.

    The SERIAL.PS program changes the Apple LaserWriter's serial interface to use 8 bits of data rather than 7 bits. This is recommended for Macintosh print jobs. See Technical Note about Printer Communication Channelsfor details.