Before Release 5.5 of MPE/iX, the Native Mode Spooler (NMS) allowed many programs to share a single printer connected directly to the HP 3000. Starting with Release 5.5, the spooler now supports any Printer Command Language (PCL)-based printers attached to the HP 3000 via a TCP/IP network connection and a JetDirect interface card. A printer connected to the system in this way is called a "network printer." Users can access such printers only via the spooler, and not as "hot" or unspooled devices. (Application programs, on the other hand, can issue networking calls directly to such printers without going through the spooler.) Examples of the kinds of printers you can access via a network are:
LaserJet series of laser printers, such as the LaserJet 4Si
The inkjet series printers, such as the DeskJets and PaintJets
The System Printer operation (SPO) HP5000/C30 and C40 cut sheet laser printers.
This chapter describes how to set up and operate network printers on the HP 3000. The first sections, intended for the system manager, list the supported devices and describe the two procedures needed to configure a network printer: using SYSGEN to add the device and creating the NPCONFIG.PUB.SYS configuration file. In addition, you will find some helpful configuration tips, two sample network printing configurations (one small, one large) and general information on spooler processes in a network printing environment.
The last part of the chapter is intended for anyone needing to operate a network printer. It explains how to access network printers, how to use special forms on network printers, and what text output is suitable for such printers.
