Printer Configuration Considerations

You should be aware of the following considerations if you intend to configure Digi One RealPort or PortServer TS to handle printers.

Determining Your Printer's Flow Control Requirements

If you set Digi device's flow control parameters incorrectly, the printer may not print all data sent to it. Consequently, before you configure the device's 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:

For printers that do not use flow control, you do not need to supply a set flow command to define the printer's connection to the Digi device.
If flow control is necessary, ensure that the printer and the Digi device 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 Digi device's port (usually CTS or DCD) that can be used for flow control.

Printing with AIX Systems

Digi does not recommend printing multiple jobs using lpd to a Digi One RealPort- or PortServer TS-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 a Digi device:

Tips

The number of copies option with lpr is not supported.
Banner pages are not supported.
Give the the Digi device's DNS name or IP address as the remote system's name.
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 the Digi device 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 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.

Tips for telnet and rsh Printing

Here are some tips for handling telnet and rsh printing:

If line feed and carriage return problems occur, try supplying a set line command that specifies onlcr=on. This converts carriage returns to carriage return/line feeds.
If you want tab characters (ASCII character 9) converted to 8 spaces, use a set line command that specifies otab=on.