CHUCK@NCSUVM.BITNET (Chuck Kesler) (12/29/89)
Archive-name: vm-lpr/how-to-get Original-posting-by: CHUCK@NCSUVM.BITNET (Chuck Kesler) Original-subject: Re: Apple LaserWriter to 7171 Archive-site: cuvma.cc.columbia.edu [128.59.40.129] Reposted-by: emv@math.lsa.umich.edu (Edward Vielmetti) >We are trying to hook an Apple LaserWriter NT II to our 7171. We are running >RSCS V2.2. We would like to print both PostScript and text files. The >PostScript files will be both EBCDIC (like SAS GSF files) and ASCII (like >DCF LISTPS files). For text files, we are looking for a program to wrap >PostScript around the file. If anyone has done something like this, I >would like to get a copy of programs and RSCS exits being used. > >Taryn L. Westergaard (602)621-2996 >CCIT Computer Operations Bitnet: taryn@arizvm1 >University of Arizona Internet: >taryn@arizvm1.ccit.arizona.edu Judging from the Internet address that you give, you have TCP/IP connectivity on your VM system, so let me suggest another route you can take to accomplish this -- one that probably will be much easier to implement and maintain (at least it has been here! :-)): First, the hardware: - your VM system with an 8232 or equivalent (of course) - a 4.2 BSD Unix box of some variety - a Gator Box from Cayman Systems (or equivalent) - an Appletalk network The Gator Box gives you a gateway between your IP and Appletalk networks, and it will run you somewhere between $1800 and $3000, depending on which model you get. Next, the software: - for VM: the LPR TCP/IP client from Columbia University (available from LISTSERV@CUVMA or by anonymous FTP to cuvma.cc.columbia.edu). - for Unix: cap (Columbia Appletalk Package) also from Columbia University (available by anonymous FTP to cunixc.cc.columbia.edu). Set up the cap server on your Unix box. Basically what it does is encapsulate Appletalk packets in IP packets, which are sent to the Gator Box. The Gator Box strips off the IP packet and sends the enclosed packet out onto the Appletalk network. Set up a printcap entry for the Laserwriter in question on your Unix box. On the VM side, you'll need to configure PRINTCAP NAMES so that LPR will know how to get to the Laserwriter. (e.g. :node. will point to the node name of the Unix box, and :rname. will give the remote name of the the printer). Run LPR and specify the printer as one of the :name.'s you have given it in PRINTCAP NAMES. That's about it! Supposedly, the configuration of cap and printcap on the Unix machine is very easy (I don't know because I didn't do it), and configuring PRINTCAP NAMES and LPR on VM takes less than 5 minutes. Using this method, I've printed Postscript output from Script and graphics files generated by SAS/GRAPH (using GOPTIONS DEVICE=PS300). As far as wrapping the text file in Postscript goes, that is easily handled by printcap filters on the Unix side. So, assuming you have the hardware, this is a no-hassle solution that you can implement with an afternoon's worth of work! What's more, you have a Laserwriter that can be used from VM, Unix machines, and Macs all at the same time. To us, it has been nothing short of a miracle, and I highly recommend that anyone who is trying to gain connectivity to an Appletalk Laserwriter look into it. -Chuck Kesler VM Systems Programmer N.C. State University Computing Center