Configuring printers

The default printer configuration uses polled mode and LPT1 of the NetWare server running the print server.

1. From the browser, select the ``Details'' dialog for the printer you want to configure by double-clicking on the printer object.

   The printer ``Identification'' page appears.

2. Complete or modify the fields as needed.

   These fields are optional.

   • Other name lists identification information associated with this printer that helps you search for and identify specific printers.

   • Description describes the function the printer performs (such as print Sales documents).

   • Network Address lists the 16-digit (8-byte) number associated with the NetWare Server or workstation that this printer is cabled to.

   • Location specifies the printer's physical location (such as a person's office).

   • Department shows the department or division that generally uses the printer.

   • Organization lists the organization that can use the printer.

3. Select the ``Configuration'' page.

   A printer ``Configuration'' page appears. This page allows you to store or define information about the hardware configuration of this printer and how it is used in the network.

4. Complete the configuration fields as required by your printer type.

   • Printer Type displays the printer type. Selecting this field displays the list of types from which you can select. Types of printers displayed in this menu are:

     • Parallel

     • Serial

     • UNIX Printer

     • AppleTalk Printer

     • Other/Unknown (for example, OS/2 or configured by NPRINTER)

     • XNP

     • AIO

     Parallel, serial, XNP (eXtended NetWare Printer protocol) AppleTalk, UNIX and AIO printers require unique settings.

     The default values are for a parallel printer that is cabled to the LPT1 port of a NetWare Server running PSERVER.

     Printers cabled to an OS/2 workstation should use type ``Other/Unknown''.

   • The ``Communication'' parameter windows allow you to view and modify the values defined for the selected printer type. Different dialogs are used depending on which printer type is selected. The appropriate window appears automatically whenever you change the printer type except when ``Other/Unknown'' or ``XNP'' (eXtended NetWare Printer protocol) is selected.

     ``Communication'' can be used to access these parameter windows.

   • Banner Type shows whether the printer produces banner pages in text or PostScript mode. The banner type must match the default printer type.

   • Service Interval shows how often the print server checks the print queue for print jobs going to this printer. The default is every 5 seconds. Values from 1 to 255 are allowed.

   • Buffer Size in KB shows how large each piece of data sent to this printer can be. The default is 3 KB (3,072 bytes). Values from 1 to 20 are allowed.

   • Starting Form shows the number of the printer forms that this printer will service when the NetWare port driver is loaded. Printer forms are defined in the Organization or Organizational Unit object above this printer. Any Form Number defined there can be used here (values from 0 to 254 are possible).

   • Network Address Restrictions shows the network addresses that this printer can use. ``Set'' is used to add an IPX network address to this field.

   • Service Mode for Forms determines how forms needed for print jobs affect the order in which the print server processes those jobs. Selecting this field displays the list of service modes from which you can select.

     When a print job requests a printer form other than the form currently mounted in the printer, the print server does not service the job until a print server operator reports that the new form is mounted. A print server operator can use PCONSOLE, PSC, or NetWare Administrator to mount the new form.

     The following service mode options determine how often the print server requires you to change printer forms:

     • Change forms as needed

       The priority of each print queue and the order of print jobs in the print queue determine which print job to service next. You might have to change forms often.

     • Minimize form changes within print queues

       The print server requires you to mount a new form for a print job before servicing print jobs with the currently mounted form in a print queue with a lower priority.

     • Minimize form changes across print queues

       The print server services all print jobs requiring the currently mounted form before requesting a form change. Print jobs in lower priority print queues that require the mounted form are serviced before print jobs in a high priority print queue that require a different form.

     • Service only currently mounted form

       The print server never requests a form change. If no print job requiring the current form is available, nothing is printed.

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     NOTE: If you are running OS/2, you should select printer type ``Other/Unknown'' to ensure that print jobs are directed to an OS/2 queue instead of to a print server. For more information, select ``Other/Unknown'' and then select Help.

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5. When you are finished, select OK.