RE: Printing using TCP/IP over Ethernet

I haven't tried it, but does specifying DFRWRT(*NO) for the printer file
allow the system to start the HPT translation while the report it still
being created ?
Even if the printer was a Twinax attached IPDS printer with AFP(*YES)
specified there would still be a delay for the print driver job before
it started printing. 

SCS is SNA Character String.  Yes, I can't see the printer being able to
print directly unless it can support SCS or IPDS.

I know you already have a JetDirect card, but another method of printing
to a LAN attached printer that has specific support built in to OS/400
is via a LexLink MarkNet adapter from LexMark.  You will note on the
CRTDEVPRT there is an option of *LEXLINK for the LANATTACH parm.  To use
the LexLink protocol you need to add three SSAP's to your line
description (12 16 & 1A), but the big drawback with LexLink is that it
is not a routable protocol, so if your printer is on the other side of a
router/bridge you probably won't be able to use it.  Works great for
your local LAN though.

Maybe what you're looking for is something like the Black Box IPDS
External Printer Interface (PCD70A).
This lets you connect an HP LaserJet or any HP PCL Level 5 laser printer
to your AS/400.  The AS/400 will see it as a 4028 IPDS printer.  The
interface has inputs for twinax, coax, RS-232 serial & Centronics
parallel.
This little toy is Canadian $2992.50 though, so beware !
I can't imaging wanting to pay that just to get a report to start
printing a few minutes sooner.  

If IPDS isn't needed there are several other Protocol Converters in the
Black Box catalog that connect via twinax and emulate various printer
types.  Prices vary from Canadian $1192 to $1423.  Maybe their model #
PCC34-C or PC118C-R2 could be what you're looking for.

PS - This the on-line 90's - why do you need a 500+ page report printed
these days anyway !   :-)


Neil Palmer                                AS/400~~~~~      
NxTrend Technology - Canada   ____________          ___  ~     
Thornhill, Ontario,  Canada   |OOOOOOOOOO| ________  o|__||=   
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Cell.: (416) 565-1682  x238    oo      oo   oo  oo   OOOo=o\   
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mailto:NPalmer@NxTrend.com        http://www.NxTrend.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Feinstein [SMTP:gfeinste@planethollywood.com]
> Sent: Friday, February 20, 1998 10:45 AM
> To:   MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> Subject:      Re: Printing using TCP/IP over Ethernet
> 
> I currently have a HP D640 that is connected to a Jet Direct card.
> What
> do I need to be able to connect this printer DIRECTLY to the AS/400. 
> Management insists the printer should be hooked up this way.  I am
> looking for any suggestion that will make the printer appear like an
> AS/400 device.  I have used the CRTDEVPRT command and the printer
> works
> this way.  However, I believe this still relies on TCP/IP in order to
> get to the Jet Direct box that it is currently attached to.  They want
> the printer hooked up via twinax and be ready to accept print jobs as
> soon as they are spooled.  As I understand it, the way I have it
> hooked
> up now, the spool file does a Host Print Transform on the AS/400 side
> before it can be sent to the printer as an ASCII file.  Would hooking
> the printer up directly change this?  Doesn't the printer have to
> accept
> *SCS printer streams to do this (what does SCS stand for anyway?)  One
> of my programmers says I can get a Twinax to RJ45 connection device
> that
> will allow me to send the data through the network in this manner and
> that will make the printer act like a direct device.  I think the
> whole
> reason for management wanting the printer hooked up directly is
> because
> it is taking too long for a large (500+ page) print job to do its Host
> Print Transform before it actually gets sent to the printer.  Finally,
> what functionality will I gain by hooking up directly?  
> TIA,
> Gary Feinstein
> AS/400 System Administrator
> Planet Hollywood International Inc.
> 
> Jerome Draper wrote:
> > 
> > At 10:37 AM 2/12/98 -0500, you wrote:
> > >Marc Zylka wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Can anyone let me know how well printing using TCP/IP
> > >> over Ethernet works?  How well does the AS/400 pick up
> > >> problems at the printer (ie. Paper Out, Forms Jams, etc.)
> > >> Let's assume V4R1.  Hopefully, we'll be at V4R1 in a
> > >> couple of weeks if Emery doesn't damage our next
> > >> 620 again.
> > >> Are there better options?  How about opinions?
> > >>
> > >> Thanks in advance,
> > >> Marc Zylka (mzylka@netpath.net)
> > >>
> > With the forthcoming release of Synapse WinAPPC there will be full
> > implementation of printing under TCP/IP using the standard LPR/LPD
> printer
> > support.  It will support full AS/400 SCS strings so you will not
> have to
> > chew up AS/400 cycles doing host print transform nor will you be
> limited to
> > the few printers supported by IBM on the AS/400.  Any printer
> supported by
> > Windows will work fine.  This program will include controls to
> handle
> > restarting the printer, multiple copies, print spooling, etc.  As an
> AS/400
> > document is being printed a forms jam or out of paper condition will
> be
> > handled by Windows.  If the document fails to print it will be moved
> into a
> > "save" status on the PC for reprinting if necessary.  Standard
> Synapse
> > policy of free upgrades to registered users will apply as does their
> > standary policy of free tech support.  I have been selling, using,
> and
> > supporting Synapse for many years now and for good reason -- it
> works.
> > 
> > Regards,
> > 
> > Jerry
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