IBM Support

Options to Configure a Printer on an IBM i System

Troubleshooting


Problem

There are many ways in which a printer might be configured, depending on the type of printer, its capabilities, and how it is attached. This document discusses the most common methods of configuring a printer on an IBM System i.

Resolving The Problem

There are many ways in which a printer might be configured; it depends on the type of printer, the capabilities of the printer, and how the printer is attached. This document discusses the most common methods of configuring a printer on IBM i and the general requirements for each method. For more specific information on requirements, see the documents listed under each method.
 

Pros and Cons of remote output queues, PJL, and SNMP Printer Configurations

This video shows the benefits and limitations of the three most popular printer configuration methods: Remote Output Queues (RMTOUTQs), *LAN 3812 PJL printer device descriptions, and *LAN 3812 SNMP printer device descriptions.

If Your Printer Is Attached to the Network Using TCP/IP
If your printer is attached to the network and is using TCP/IP to connect, the options for configuring the printer are:
  • Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ)
  • *LAN 3812 PJL device description
  • *LAN 3812 SNMP device description
  • *LAN 3812 IPP device description
  • *LAN *IPDS device description
For information on ASCII printers from various manufacturers, in particular on whether they can be configured using a *LAN 3812 PJL device description, *LAN 3812 SNMP device description, *LAN 3812 IPP device description, or Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ), refer to these documents:
Information on Printers from Various Manufacturers
Printer Model Settings for Host Print Transform (HPT)

The requirements for all network-attached printers using TCP/IP are that the network adapter is compatible with the printer and it has a static TCP/IP address. The sections on the various options will list some additional requirements for that type of configuration.
 
1
Remote Output Queue or SNDTCPSPLF and LPR Commands
A Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ) uses LPR protocol to send data to an LPD server. Most LAN printers support this method of communication and it is known to be extremely reliable, as the connection to the printer is opened and closed for each spooled file. Because of this RMTOUTQs do not time out.  Communication is always done to port 515 on the LPD server. The Remote Printer Queue (RMTPRTQ) value is used to determine where the LPD server will send the spooled file it receives, and varies depending on the model of print server.
 
2
*LAN 3812 PJL Device Description

The term PJL refers to the Printer Job Language protocol from HP. PJL allows for two-way communication with the printer when attached to the LAN using a print server that also supports bidirectional PJL. 

Support for the PJL print driver is largely dependent on the internal network interface card (NIC) or external print server used with the printer. If it is unclear whether the NIC, print server, or printer supports PJL, contact the manufacturer.

For more information on *LAN 3812 PJL device descriptions, refer to these documents:
Configuring a *LAN 3812 PJL Device Description
Recommended PJL Port Number Values for *LAN 3812 PJL Device Descriptions
Configuration Settings and Error Messages for *LAN 3812 PJL Device Descriptions
Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN Device Description
3
*LAN 3812 SNMP Device Description

The term SNMP refers to Simple Network Management Protocol. SNMP allows for two-way communication with the printer when attached to the LAN using a print server that also supports SNMP. 

Support for the SNMP print driver is largely dependent on the internal network interface card (NIC) or external print server used with the printer. If it is unclear whether the NIC, print server or printer supports SNMP, contact the manufacturer.

For more information on *LAN 3812 SNMP device descriptions, refer to these documents:
Configuring a *LAN 3812 SNMP Device Description
Recommended SNMP Port Number Values for *LAN 3812 SNMP Device Descriptions
Configuration Settings and Error Messages for *LAN 3812 SNMP Device Descriptions
Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN Device Description
4
*LAN 3812 IPP Device Description

The term IPP refers to the Internet Print Protocol. IPP allows for two-way communication with the printer when attached to the LAN using a print server that also supports IPP. 

Support for the IPP Print Driver is largely dependent on the internal network interface card (NIC) or external print server used with the printer. If it is unclear whether the NIC, print server or printer supports IPP, contact the manufacturer.

For more information on *LAN 3812 IPP device descriptions, refer to these documents:
Configuring a *LAN 3812 IPP Device Description
Recommended Remote Location (RMTLOCNAME) Values for *LAN 3812 IPP Device Descriptions
Configuration Settings and Error Messages for *LAN 3812 IPP Device Descriptions
Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN Device Description
5
*LAN *IPDS Device Description

The term IPDS refers to the Intelligent Printer Data Stream. IPDS allows for two-way communication with the printer when attached to the LAN, provided the printer has the IPDS feature installed and using an internal print server that allows the IPDS data stream to pass through to the printer. IBM Print Services Facility (PSF/400) is required for network-attached IPDS printers.

For more information on *LAN *IPDS device descriptions, refer to these documents:
Configuring a *LAN IPDS Device Description
Recommended IPDS Port Number Values for *LAN IPDS Device Descriptions
Configuration Settings and Error Messages for *LAN IPDS Device Descriptions

If Your Printer Is Attached to the Network and Using the Lexlink Protocol

The requirement for this configuration is that the printer is attached to a Lexmark network adapter that can use the Lexlink protocol, such as the Lexmark MarkNet XLE or the MarkNet Pro, or that it is a Lexmark printer with an internal Lexmark network card. The Lexlink protocol cannot be routed across networks, so the router would need to be configured to bridge the Lexlink protocol.

For information on configuring *LAN 3812 Lexlink device descriptions, refer to this document:
Configuring a *LAN 3812 LEXLINK Device Description


If Your Printer Is Attached to the Network and Using SNA

The requirements for printing using SNA are that a communications line, controller, and device description are configured for APPC or APPN support. Also, the IBM-supplied subsystems QSNADS and QSYSWRK, the Mail Server Framework job QMSF, and the Object Distribution job QNFTP all must be active. For additional assistance configuring or troubleshooting SNA, contact our communications team.

For information on configuration communicating over SNADS, refer to these documents:
Printer Passthrough or Remote Output Queues
Creating a Dummy Device Description to Use with a Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ)
Configuring SNADS and Setting Up SNA Distribution Services
If Your Printer Is Attached to a PC

An emulation program must be run on the PC to allow the IBM i system to print to it. This emulation program can be IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) or some other emulation program that can create a printer session and configure a device on the IBM i system. The type of emulation program used might have its own special requirements, so refer to the documentation for the program.

For information on printing on a PC running ACS, refer to these documents:
IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS): Configuring a Printer Session
Capabilities and Limitations of Printing when Using iSeries Access for Windows​​​​​​​

If You Are Printing from a PC to a Printer on an IBM i System

Depending upon the version of System i Access for Windows (also known as iSeries Access for Windows or Client Access/400 in earlier versions), the printer can be installed on the PC as a network printer or it can be set up under IBM AS/400 NetServer or IBM iSeries NetServer. Refer to the documentation for the version of Client Access or iSeries Access for the requirements.

For information on configuring an NetServer print share, refer to these documents:
Creating IBM i NetServer Print Shares
Adding a Printer that Uses an IBM i NetServer Print Share
Configuring Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/7 to Fax PC Output Using FAX/400 and IBM iSeries NetServer

For information on configuring an IBM i NetServer print share for use with Facsimile Support/400 (FAX/400), please refer to the following document:
Configuring Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/7 to Fax PC Output Using FAX/400 and IBM iSeries NetServer


If You Are Converting Spooled Files to PDF instead of Printing them to a Printer

The IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries product (5722IP1) that can be used to convert spooled files to Adobe Acrobat PDF format and optionally send the PDF file in an email, store the PDF file in a stream file in the Integrated File System (IFS), store the PDF file is a *USERASCII spooled file, or a combination of these.

For information on configuring a *LAN IPDS device description and PSF Configuration (PSFCFG) object that uses Infoprint Server to convert spooled files to PDF, refer to these documents:

Configuring a *LAN IPDS Device Description for E-Mail Function of InfoPrint Server
Configuring an Infoprint Server *IPDS Device Description

For more information on Infoprint Server, refer to the following document which summarizes all of the reference materials available for this product:
Finding Additional Information for Infoprint Server and PDF Mapping Exit Programs
Transform Services (5770TS1) can also be used to create a PDF file instead of a spooled file, or generate a PDF from an existing *SCS or *AFPDS spooled file.  For more information on using Transform Services, refer to this document:
  • - Recommended PTF Levels

    There are no required PTFs for most of the options to configure a printer on an IBM i system. However, getting the Recommended Fixes for Print will typically help avoid issues.

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Historical Number

22393632

Document Information

Modified date:
08 February 2024

UID

nas8N1019492