BARR/RJE with the PRINT370 option can replace the Xerox 871CM channel extender for printing to Xerox LPS devices. While the 871 uses an HIP interface, PRINT370 runs in an on-line mode. This means that different JSLs are needed in the printer, due to the difference between the on-line and off-line modes. For example, the PCC command is invalid in the on-line environment. Carriage control differences between the two modes can be solved as shown below. BARR/RJE can receive PRINT370 files on either the punch or print stream; however, the print stream is recommended because it can handle records longer than 80 bytes and can compress and compact data.
BARR/RJE with PRINT370 can process SNA data formatted for the 871 by either processing or ignoring the SNA Character Stream (SCS) carriage control bytes.
The preferred method is to convert these files to RECFM=VBM or RECFM=FBM and let the host RJE system process the carriage control. If this method is used, in the Barr software you would set Receive Mode to S/370 Channel and Carriage control to none. This method allows the same job to be routed to either local printers or printers attached to Barr without making any changes.
Some 871 installations use files with machine carriage control and specify a record format of RECFM=FB or RECFM=VB. This is done to trick the host into sending the carriage control as part of the data so that the printer can process the carriage control. Barr can accommodate these files if you leave the record format as RECFM=FB or RECFM=VB, and in the Barr software set Receive Mode to S/370 Channel and Carriage Control to Machine. In this situation, the machine carriage control passed as part of the data will be used by the Barr software and will be sent to the printer. This works only if all files sent to the printer on this print stream from the host have machine carriage control and the Machine designation is omitted from the RECFM value. If you need to print files with ASA carriage control or files whose carriage control is interpreted by the host RJE system, they must be sent down a different print stream, with Receive Mode set to S/370Channel and Carriage Control set to none.
The HIP interface must be replaced by an on-line interface. JSL for the HIP interface is no longer valid; simple on-line JSL will be used.
Data positioning within records is different. Jobs written for the 871CM need to be modified. This may include changes to those commands affecting positioning, such as the DATA statement, the IDEN prefix, the FONTINDEX, and any commands that use the CRITERIA statement. The HOST and PCC statements are also affected.
Here is a comparison summary of BARR/RJE and the Xerox 871:
|
BARR/RJE with PRINT370 |
Xerox 871 |
|
On-line Interface |
HIP interface |
|
S370 interface for data |
ASCII interface for data |
|
PCC direct support |
PCC converted to CR LF FF |
|
Up to 6 printers attached |
Single printer only |
|
Line speed up to 384 kbps |
Line speed 56 kbps maximum |
|
DATMODE=FULL |
DATMODE=HALF |
|
MAXDATA to 1033 bytes |
MAXDATA to 521 |