Re: Printers: Network v 400

Doug Barnes wrote:

>We have a workgroup that is considering having 10 - 20 AS/400 users 
>(CA/400 Win95)
>connected to a system (510, V3R7) and a PC Network. They are trying 
>to decide wether to replace an IBM3812 with another AS/400 printer 
>(IBM 4317 - we are using elsewhere and like it) or have each user 
>use their own PC to support a printer session to a network printer 
>(HP5something) and have one printer support all their printing.
 
>My question/comment(s) are...
 
>How much overhead does having a printer writer for each user cause.
 
>Should it be avoided?
 
<snip>

>Some users only have a terminal and would have to rely on other 
>users printer sessions on the 400, assuming they were active when 
>they needed it.


We do most of our AS/400 printing on network printers, via Rumba 
printer sessions.  I don't think the various printer writers cause 
too much overhead, and rarely require support.  If the PC Network 
already has one or more printers, it is a low-cost way to go.  And, 
the users like the accessibility of their output.  

But, two things I can think of that might affect your decision are:

1)  volume of printing.  Trust me on this - a PC user will not be 
happy when he has to wait for his output, which is in the queue 
behind a huge accounting report!

2)  if a PC printer session has to support several users printing 
through it, and the volume is substantial, it will probably 
adversely affect the performance of the PC.

 
 Good luck with your decision.
 
 -- Carol
 
 
 +=======================================================================+ 
 |    Carol Collins   Sr. Network Administrator                          | 
 |                    WASTREN  /  Holmes and Narver Services, Inc.       | 
 |                    2597 B-3/4 Road                                    | 
 |                    Grand Junction, CO  81503                          | 
 |                    U.S. Dept of Energy  Grand Junction Office         | 
 |    Internet:       Carol.Collins@doegjpo.com                          | 
 |    Phone   :       (970) 248-6524                                     | 
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