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101RPRINTER vs. PSERVER in NetWare 3.x
Print servers are fully supported in NetWare 3.x, using either RPRINTER or PSERVER.
RPRINTER in NetWare 3.x
Advantage of using RPRINTER in NetWare 3.x:
Does not require a NetWare server user license
Disadvantages of using RPRINTER in NetWare 3.x:
Little information is available about the print job. After a job leaves a print server queue, it is removed
from the queue, regardless of whether it actually prints. This could cause a print job to be lost, if the
printer is turned off in the middle of the print job. This is inherent in the NetWare design.
PSERVER in NetWare 3.x
Advantages of using PSERVER in NetWare 3.x:
Does not require that PSERVER.NLM be installed on the NetWare server.
Does not require you to unload PSERVER.NLM or restart your computer after installation.
Performance. Although overall print job throughput is affected by many factors, file transfer
time on the network may be significantly faster using PSERVER.
In NPRINTER/RPRINTER, NetWare uses SPX to transfer packets. Packet size for data
transmitted in SPX is 512 bytes.
In PSERVER, NetWare uses IPX to transfer packets. Packet size for data transmitted in IPX is
up to 1 Kilobyte for Ethernet networks.
Because of this difference in packet size, PSERVER may be faster than NPRINTER/
RPRINTER. Please note, however, that actual IPX packet size is negotiated by the client
application. This actual IPX packet size is often less than the maximum because of packet
size limitations of gateways and routers.
If printing is a significant part of your network traffic, and if network traffic is a proven concern
for your network, you may find it better to use the print servers in PSERVER.
Print servers can connect to as many as 16 file servers, with a total of 32 queues per print server,
distributed any way you want among the servers.
Disadvantage of using PSERVER in NetWare 3.x:
Requires a NetWare server user license for each PSERVER device.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble with your print server on a NetWare network, do these steps in the order
shown.