[comp.sys.apollo] Printer sharing with PCs

obrennan@CC3.CC.UMR.EDU (obrennan) (10/11/90)

We too have a printer that we share between the Apollos and 
a Novell server. There are automatic switching devices that
will poll multiple connections to a printer. If one of the
servers requests to send data, the device will lock on that
port until data has ceased for about 30 seconds. We have had
success using this device thus far. Also, you can get combination
serial|parallel connections. The one we have (serial to serial for
all connections) I believe, but don't know for sure because I didn't
place the order, can be ordered from a PC magazine for about $90.

By the way, if you use serial connections, use
XON/XOFF for the Apollo communications because I was told by Apollo
that they don't support hardware handshaking with RTS and CTS. I 
did notice though, that the hardware handshaking appears to work fine
on a DN3000/DN3500 but not on a DN4000. Hope this helps...


Gerry O'Brennan
Programmer/Analyst
Computing Services
University of Missouri - Rolla
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obrennan@apollo.cc.umr.edu
c0022@umrvmb.umr.edu          
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