Setting up basic printing and despooling

Follow the setup details under the Windows platform and within Reality, or defined UNIX System printers below.

Windows Platform

Setting Up in Windows
It is recommended that all local and network printers are setup locally on the Reality Server under Windows first. The simplest way to setup network printers is to use TCP/IP Port Printing. This can be done using the “Add a printer” Wizard and selecting “Local printer attached to this computer”. Then select “Create a new port” and select “Standard TCP/IP Port” as the “Type of port”. The IP Address is then entered and the drivers will need to be loaded for the relevant printer make and model.

Setting Up In Reality
Once Windows has a list of named printers, local and remote, log into Reality and run the BUILD.PRINTERS command from TCL. This will take each named printer in Windows and create the same name as a Reality print Queue and Despooler name.

To see the list of Windows printers found run the command:
SORT DESPOOLER.CONTROL

A despooler process is needed for each printer, which is started using:
START-PRINTER printer_name

You can then assign to this printer using:
SP-ASSIGN = printer_name

Print output will then be directed to that printer:
Example: LISTFILES (P)

Notes:

  1. BUILD.PRINTERS
    Any spaces in Windows printer names will be converted to underbars “_” in Reality. You can see more information from TCL by entering MAN BUILD.PRINTERS.
     
  2. UNIX Platforms
    Any defined UNIX System Printers can be assigned to Reality using BUILD.PRINTERS from TCL – refer to its use under Windows above for guidance.
     
  3. Spooler Reference
    As well as using platform System printers Reality can also deploy:
    Serial & TCP/IP Terminal Slave Printing, using PORT-DESPOOL at TCL.
    Private to Reality printers (UNIX only).
    Serial & TCP/IP Port Printers (UNIX only).

Please refer to the Spooler section under the User’s Reference in the On-Line Documentation.

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