Steps to Setup a PSF/AIX Printer
Determine which connection alternative is most appropriate for you.
Connection Alternative 1: Printer attached directly to
the network
In this connection alternative, a printer supporting PCL4 or PCL5 is directly connected to
the network using an internal or external network adapter. The printer has a static
(constant) IP address and is defined to the PSF/AIX server at the Computer Center. The
purpose of the PSF/AIX server is to convert output destined for
the printer to the correct PCL print stream and forward it to the printer.
The primary advantages of this type of connection are:
- A more expensive mainframe-compatible printer need not be purchased to print mainframe
reports.
- PC resources are not consumed to print mainframe reports (i.e. print goes directly to
the printer for printing without passing through a PC).
- The status of a PC (i.e. powered off, software problem, etc.) will not interfere with
the printing of mainframe reports.
The primary disadvantage of this type of connection is:
- A network connection and adapter must be purchased for the printer.
This connection alternative is best suited for multi-user or departmental printers and is the best overall attachment method for distributed printing.
Connection Alternative 2: Printer attached to a PC that
is network connected
In this connection alternative, a printer supporting PCL4 or PCL5 is connected to a PC (or
server), and the PC is connected to the network. The PC has a static (constant) IP address
and is running any standard Line Printer Daemon (LPD) software. The LPD software receives
print from the PSF/AIX server at the Computer Center. The purpose of the
PSF/AIX server is to convert output destined for the PC to the
correct PCL print stream and forward it to the PC.
The primary advantages of this type of connection are:
- An existing PCL4 or PCL5 printer that is connected to a network-attached PC can be used
to print mainframe reports.
- The LPD software is typically inexpensive and fairly easy to setup.
The primary disadvantage of this type of connection is:
- PC resources are consumed to print mainframe reports (i.e. print goes through the PC
before reaching the printer).
- The status of the PC (i.e. powered off, software problem, etc.) can interfere with the
printing of mainframe reports.
This connection alternative is best suited for single-user printers.
Ensure you have the necessary hardware and
software. The hardware and software requirements differ depending on which of the two
connection alternatives you wish to use.
For LAN-attached printers (Alternative 1 above):
Hardware Requirements:
- A printer which supports PCL4 or PCL5 (see the documentation for the printer to
determine which data streams it supports). Printers from HP, Lexmark, and IBM have worked
successfully.
- A network adapter (card) to connect the printer to the network. The adapter may be
either external or internal. The adapter must support ether the HP JetDirect protocol or
the Line Printer Daemon (LPD) protocol.
- A static IP address configured in the printer's network adapter.
- A physical network connection (drop) for the printer.
Software Requirements:
- A queue name configured by TOSM for the printer.
For PC-attached printers (Alternative 2 above):
Hardware Requirements:
- A printer which supports PCL4 or PCL5 (see the documentation for the printer to
determine which data streams it supports). Printers from HP, Lexmark, and IBM have worked
successfully.
- A working connection between the PC and the printer.
- A network adapter installed and configured in the PC.
- A static IP address assigned to the PC.
- A physical network connection (drop) for the PC.
Software Requirements:
- Line Printer Daemon (LPD) software installed and configured on the PC (ex: NIPrint or
RPM).
- A queue name configured by TOSM for the printer
Fill out and submit the On-line Printer Request Form.