Splitting jobs

You can use the print splitter to split text jobs. Other data streams can be split when TOOLS or TRANSFORM is installed. The job splitter works by first obtaining the total page count, then when the job is split, the print stream is split into 2 or more parts, up to 7. Job splitting allows multiple printers to print critical jobs quickly, always splitting on page or sheet boundaries. Job splitting is enabled on a data set by data set basis using the NDHBSPLIT - Split data set header field. Any data set with a valid page count and a data type that supports reprint ranges, can be split.

Individual splits are identified by a split number (NDHBSPLTN). This enables printers to accept just the desired portion of the jobs. For example, if you have 3 printers defined and 2 are designated for large jobs and 1 is for small jobs, the job splitter could be configured for two splits. Large jobs could be split between the first two printers, while the third printer prints small jobs.

The Print jobs while receiving data option on the Spool Printers tab is automatically disabled for data sets with the NDHBSPLIT field set. The data set is fully received, indexed if needed, and split into the desired number of parts. It is then routed to printers.

You can manually index and split jobs after they have arrived in the Spool Window. On the Spool Window menu bar, select Document | Index or Split.

Header fields used for text streams:

Header fields used for other data streams:

Complete the following steps to split jobs.

1. Open the Configuration Utility.

2. From the Spool and Retain tab, configure the job splitting options.

1. Set the Number of splits equal to the number of times you want the job to be split. You can select a number between 2 and 7. Each split will contain the minimum number of pages split specified below. For example, if you configure job splitting to split jobs 3 times with a minimum page count of 5 and then print a 10 page job, the job will be split twice, each split containing 5 pages.

2. Specify the Minimum pages per split. The software will split the job as evenly as possible, with all portions of the job containing at least this number of pages. The value specified must be greater than 0.

3. If you are splitting duplex or n-up jobs, specify the number of Pages per sheet. This option does not support mixplex jobs. The value specified must be between 1 and 99.

3. Add the NDHBSPLTN - Split number field to the Spool Window.

4. When the file is received in the spool, the NDHBSPLIT and either the NDHBINDEX or NDHBNORM field must be equal to -1. (See tables above.) Use one of the following methods to set the header field values.

5. Print Utility – When you add the file to the spool, assign the header field values on the Spooling Properties dialog box.

6. BARR/PRINT TCP/IP – If you are receiving files using LPD print queues, assign the header field values on the File Properties dialog box. If you are receiving files using a socket connection, assign the header field values on the Port Properties dialog box.

7. BARR/RJE and BARR/NJE – Configure an override table to set the header field values in the rule's action. The rule's condition can be configured as needed for your system.

5. When the jobs are received in the Spool Window, they will be split the number of times specified on the Spool and Retain tab. The Split number column will display values indicating the order the job was split. You can also add the BARR information fields, BARR_PAGESTART - Page Start and the BARR_PAGEEND - Page End, to the window to view the page range for each split.

6. Modify the attributes of the spool printers where you want the job to print. In the Split number column for each printer, enter the job split number you want to print.

7. Route each job to the appropriate spool printer.

See also:

• Spool and Retain tab

• Managing spool documents

• Tips for routing spool documents