Configuration Considerations

You should be aware of the following considerations if you intend to configure Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 to handle printers.

Using RealPort

RealPort, a feature that allows network-based host systems to use the ports of the Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 as though they were the host system’s own ports, is an easy and efficient way for printers to use Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 ports. For information on this option, see "Configuring Ports for RealPort" on page 3-1.

Determining Your Printer’s Flow Control Requirements

If you set the Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 flow control parameters incorrectly, the printer may not print all data sent to it. Consequently, before you configure a Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 port for a printer, check the printer’s documentation to determine if it uses hardware flow control, software flow control, or no flow control at all.

Flow Control Tips

Here are some tips to ensure that your printer performs as expected:

•If flow control is necessary, ensure that the printer and Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 use the same flow control scheme.

•Most printers that use hardware flow control issue the DTR (data terminal ready) signal when they are ready for data. If so, the DTR pin on the cable from the printer must be wired to an input on the Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 port (usually CTS or DCD) that can be used for flow control.

Printing with AIX Systems

Digi does not recommend using lpd to print multiple jobs to a Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4-attached printer from an AIX print spooler because this may cause the print job to time out.

Using the lpd Protocol

Here are some tips for configuring the print spooler on your UNIX system when you intend to print using the lpd protocol to a printer attached to Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4:

1.The number of copies option with lpr is not supported.

2.Banner pages are not supported.

3.Give the Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4’s DNS name or IP address as the remote system’s name.

4.Specify a queue name that conforms to the following conventions:

•Begin the queue name with one of the following character strings: (a) Use ascii if you want Dig One/PortServer TS 2/4 to substitute carriage return and line feed characters for each line feed the system sends. (b) Use raw if no substitution should be performed.

•After the queue name, insert an underscore character and the number of the Dig One/PortS- erver TS 2/4 port to which the printer is attached.

•If you want to use either of the following options, specify an additional underscore and then the letter that identifies the option: (a) Use f to append a form feed character to the end of each file in a print job (b) Use d to add a Ctrl-d to the end of each file in a print job. (This is often required by PostScript printers.)

Examples

String	Result

ascii_1	Prints to port 1 and translates CR to CR/LF.

ascii_8_f	Prints to port 8, translates CR to CR/LF and prints a form feed at the end
	of the job.

raw_1_d	Prints to port 1 with no translation and appends a Ctrl-d to the end of the
	print job.

4-2	Configuration Considerations