Local and remote printer setup

Local and remote printer setup

This topic explains how to use your network printer software. Most network printers require a software program called a port driver to print network print jobs. NetWare Services provides two types of port drivers: NPRINTER.EXE and the NPRINTER daemon. Network printers attached to DOS, Windows, or OS/2 client workstations require NPRINTER.EXE running on the workstation. Remote network printers attached to UnixWare servers rely on the NPRINTER daemon.

A NetWare Services environment could include printers cabled in any of the following ways:

To a DOS, Windows, or OS/2 workstation (NPRINTER.EXE). For standard systems, you can attach up to 3 parallel and 4 serial printers to a workstation.
To a NetWare Services server (NPRINTER daemon). Since the NPRINTER daemon directs NetWare print jobs into the UNIX lp(1) print system, the cabling configuration is determined by the lp print system. The NPRINTER daemon can support up to 50 printers.
To a native NetWare server (NPRINTER.NLM). This configuration requires a native NetWare server in your systems environment. You must load NPRINTER.NLM once for every printer running directly off a NetWare server. Refer to the native NetWare documentation for specific information about NLMs.
Directly to the network cabling. See ``Using third-party network-direct print devices with NetWare services''.

Before completing tasks in this topic, you need the following:

UnixWare NetWare Services server.
Print server, print queue, and printer that have been created and assigned using one of the following:
- NetWare Administrator (See `` Setting up print services with NetWare administrator''.)
- PCONSOLE (See ``Using quick setup in PCONSOLE''.)
Print server started on a NetWare Services server (pserver).
Printer cabled in one of the following ways: to a network workstation running DOS, Windows, or OS/2; to a NetWare Services server; to a UnixWare workstation; to a native NetWare server; or directly to the network.
NOTE: Make sure each printer functions properly in its current environment. If a printer functions properly in its current environment (non-network or otherwise), it will work with NetWare print services. If your printer is not functioning properly, see ``Troubleshooting printing problems'' or ``Cabling printers''.