Re: iSeries label printer

[Scott Klement <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris,

When you say "works with the iSeries", what do you mean, exactly?

Typically there are two things you need to consider.  (1) is there a way 
to communicate with the printer?  and (2) does your software know how to 
generate a print language that the printer will understand?

I don't remember what protocols the iSeries used (remember, the iSeries 
was discontinued 16 years ago) but I believe they were the same as those 
that today's IBM i supports.  Basically, LPR/LPD, JetDirect, SNMP and 
IPP.  This isn't typically handled by the printer itself, but rather a 
"print server" -- an external box that interfaces between the printer 
and the network.  So the question here isn't whether the printer is 
compatible with your IBM i server, but rather if the print server can 
speak one or more of the preceding communications protocol, and knows 
how to interface with your printer

Once you get past that, the next question is which printer languages you 
need to support.   IBM i natively supports SCS, IPDS and AFPDS.  It also 
contains a "host print transform" system that can be used to convert 
from AFPDS to some of the others, such as PCL/PJL, PPDS, and others.

If you are using label printing software (such as TL Ashford) that 
software will also support additional languages.  If you write your own 
software, you can program it for any language that you like.

So what, exactly, do you mean by compatible?  Does it need to support a 
particular language?  Is Host Print Transform okay, or does it need to 
natively support one of the built in languages, or are you writing the 
code and can write for anything, or what...? Do you care which 
communication protocol it uses, or is anything that's compatible with 
the OS okay with you?

The more detail you provide, the more likely we can offer good advice.

-SK

On 8/10/22 4:03 PM, Christopher Bipes wrote:
> All I can remember is there is a box that the Ethernet is connected to and the printer connects to that.  I would have to look at the configuration to get the details.  What I really am looking for is a label printer that works with the iSeries.  Forget the Zebra part.  What else is out there that someone on this list uses.
>
> Chris Bipes
> Director of Information Services
> CrossCheck, Inc.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MIDRANGE-L <midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Roger Harman
> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2022 1:55 PM
> To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: iSeries label printer
>
> It's been years since I dealt with Zebra printers but I recall them as being SCS.  The ZPL drives any "graphical" elements.
> I don't ever recall having to configure them as IPDS.