From the Devices and Printers menu, you select the types of printers and other devices to use with BARR/SPOOL. The devices you enable on this screen display on the Assign Devices menu.
This chapter introduces you to the concepts of source and destination devices and describes the devices you can enable from the Devices and Printers menu.
When defining devices in the Barr software, you need to understand the concepts of source devices, destination devices, and device assignment.
Devices used to input data to the software are called data sources. For example, LAN directories are data sources because data travels from the network files into the PC and is processed by the software.
Devices that handle data output by the software are known as data destinations. PC printers and disk files are destinations because data on the PC is sent out to the printer or to a file on the hard disk.
Routing data from a source to a destination is called assigning devices. For instance, files received from the LAN directory are directed or assigned to write to a printer attached to the PC parallel port.
Devices used with Barr software are either data sources or data destinations. Data travels from sources to the Barr PC, and from the Barr PC to destinations.
Source and destination devices are defined from the Devices and Printers menu, as discussed in this chapter. Once devices are defined, device assignments are made on the Assign Devices menu described in Chapter 6.
The Devices and Printers menu lists standard PC devices as well as some devices unique to the Barr software.
Devices used with any option software you purchased are not included on this screen. These options display as separate items on the Installation Description menu. (Available print options include PRINT370, PRINT/TWINAX, BARR/PRINT for LAT, and BARR/PRINT for TCP/IP.)
To access Devices and Printers, from the Installation Description menu select Devices and Printers: LPT, COM, NET, SEND, LAN.
The devices on this screen are described briefly below. The brief descriptions are followed by separate sections giving a detailed discussion of each device.
The LPT, COM, and NET device sections are presented first. These devices have several options in common. Parameters for the Miscellaneous printer options differ for these devices and are described separately for each device type. Sections discussing the common options Choose printer type, Printer control data, and Forms overlay are described next. Then the remaining devices SEND, LAN, and NOVELL Queues are described.
LPT1-LPT3
Parallel printers are attached to the PC parallel ports. The DOS names for the parallel printer ports are LPT1, LPT2 and LPT3. LPT1 is enabled by default.
Performance Tuning: With Barr software, using the parallel ports is more efficient than using the serial ports.
COM1-COM4
Serial printers and other serial devices are attached to the PC serial ports. The DOS names for the serial ports are COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. Barr software supports both input and output on the serial ports.
COM3 and COM4 are supported only on standard PC (ISA) bus machines. Using them requires COM3 and COM4 adapters that can be set to interrupt levels other than the standard IRQ4 and IRQ3, so that the four serial ports COM1 - COM4 use four different interrupt levels. (Usually COM1 and COM3 use IRQ4, and COM2 and COM4 use IRQ3. However, interrupt sharing is not allowed on the ISA bus, meaning all four ports cannot be used at once with interrupts when IRQ4 and IRQ3 are the only choices.)
Performance Tuning: If the serial devices are not used, they should be disabled to free buffers that may then be used for other program features.
SEND1-SEND2
The SEND devices specify destinations for the Barr Send Files command issued from the Operation menu. The most common application is to direct files to the host. At least one SEND device must be enabled if you plan to use the Send Files command. Both SEND1 and SEND2 are enabled by default.
LAN1-LAN4
LAN connection devices are used to automatically move files from a directory on a local area network to another location. Files can be directed to another LAN directory or to a printer from four different LAN directories.
NET1-12 (send to network)
Barr software allows you to send data from the PC to printers on the local area network. Most networks support redirection of LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3 using device drivers, but some networks support redirection of LPT1-LPT12. For Novell networks, NetWare print queues are supported.
NOVELL Queues (receive from network)
Data can be received to the PC from Novell job queues or print queues. The software can direct the received data to PC printers or the data can be routed to the mainframe as a job. Up to four Novell NetWare queues may be used.
This section describes parameters you need to set when attaching devices to the PC parallel ports.
When you finish configuring your printer, you can print a test file to verify that the configuration is correct. Refer to Appendix C, Printer Test.
LPT Device Menu
The following options may be selected:
Use this device
Select this option to enable the LPT device. You must enable the device before you can use it. The selected LPT device displays as a destination device on the Assign Devices menu. LPT1 is enabled by default.
Delete this device
The LPT device is disabled and does not display on the Assign Devices menu. The status (deleted) displays next to the device name at the top of the screen. The Assign Devices menu is easier to read if unused devices are disabled.
Choose printer type
You must choose the type of printer to use. When you select this menu item, a list of printers displays. The choices are discussed in section 4.6, Choose Printer Type. Your selection displays on the Devices and Printers menu, next to the device name.
Miscellaneous printer options
Several parameters are available which affect printer performance. These parameters are discussed under Miscellaneous Printer Options for LPT Devices.
See section 9.2, Printer Control, for additional parameters that affect printing.
Printer control data
Printer control data is used to send control codes to the printer, such as commands to set the lines-per-form and lines-per-inch, or commands to reset the printer. This option is described in section 4.8, Printer Control Data.
Escape
The Escape option appears twice on the menu. Select Escape or press the ESC key to return to the Devices and Printers menu.
Several printer options may be used with LPT devices to simplify processing of the print data or to solve printing problems. To reach these options, from the Devices and Printers menu select Miscellaneous printer options.
Printer performance optimized?
Choose whether to optimize printer performance by converting data as it is sent to the printer. This option cannot be used with laser printers.
Yes
Blank lines are converted to line feeds.
If the printer has DAVFU support, the hardware skip-to-VFU channel commands are used to perform high-speed skipping of blank lines. Direct Access Vertical Forms Unit (DAVFU) is a Dataproducts convention for specifying vertical forms control.
Horizontal tab characters are converted to the required number of blanks to emulate tab settings at every eight positions.
No
Conditional new page at end of file?
Choose whether the software should add a form feed (FF) to the end of a file, if needed. This ensures that each file begins at the top of a new page, which is helpful when form feeds are missing from some files.
Yes
No
Make all files have an even number of pages?
Choose whether all files should have an even number of pages for easier job separation.
No
Yes
Enable VFU download into printer?
This option displays only if you select a printer which supports Vertical Forms Unit (VFU) download on the Choose Printer Type screen. Printers that support VFU include: Dataproducts, D.P.I., Genicom Linewriter, Printronix, Sand, Fujitsu, Hitachi, or STC (D.P.I.). For a complete list of the printers with VFU capability, refer to Lines-per-form and Lines-per-inch in section 4.6, Choose Printer Type.
No
Yes
Printer timing delay:
Some line printers cannot accept data as quickly as the software can send data to the printer. This option allows you to slow the rate at which data is sent to the printer, so the printer does not become backed up. Indications that you need to use this option include dropped or duplicate characters in the print output. This option also may be necessary with forms that do not have a 1 in the first position of the VFU. The timing delay feature applies only to line printers, not to laser printers.
The printer uses a busy line to signal whether it can receive data. When the printer is busy it sets the busy line. Before the software sends data to the printer, it checks whether the busy line is set. If the busy line is active, the software will pause before sending more data. However, some printers are slow in setting the busy line. The Printer timing delay option introduces a delay after each byte sent to the printer so the printer has time to set the busy line before the software sends more data.
The timing delay is measured in internal program cycles, and the length of the delay depends on the speed of the PC processor. The amount of the delay required also depends on your line printer.
The default value of 8 is used for PC AT workstations and most line printers. If you are using a BARR/DPI printer adapter, the value should be 0. (The BARR/DPI adapter supports printers with the Dataproducts interface.)
If it is necessary to change the timing delay, adjust it on a trial-and-error basis. First, set the timing delay parameter to a large value such as 300. Note the effect on the printer. If the value is too high, you will see a noticeable slowdown of the print speed. If the value is too low, the original problem still will be evident. Adjust the value up or down in smaller increments, until the problem is resolved and the print speed seems normal.
For a description of the busy line, refer to the IBM Technical Reference, Options and Adapters, Volume 1, Section Graphics Printer. Overdriving the printer is impossible if you use the IBM definition. Unfortunately, not all printers use this definition. Barr Systems Technical Support representatives are always glad to assist you in tuning this parameter.
Audible alarm on printer error?
Choose whether the PC will make a shrill beep when an error or paper condition occurs. The noise will stop when you correct the condition or press a key on the keyboard.
No
Yes
Test for D.P.I. printer power off?
This option is valid only for printers with a Dataproducts Interface (DPI). Use this option to test for a printer power-off condition. Some printers and some older BARR/DPI adapters do not support this test. To determine if your printer supports the test, set this option to Yes and turn off the printer. The Status Line on the second line of the Operation screen should display Off for the printer. Turn the printer power on. The Status Line should show a status other than Off. If the status does not respond correctly, disable this option. For more information on the Status Line refer to Chapter 13.
No
Yes
Display count of lines or pages:
This option controls the count of lines or pages printed which appears on the Status Line (the second line of the Operation screen) and under Units on the Print Spool screen.
Lines
Pages
Forms overlay directory:
The printer forms overlay feature of many laser printers sets up a form that prints automatically on every page of data — the electronic version of the pre-printed form. The Barr forms overlay feature has several applications. It can be used for electronic forms or to send additional printer control data or printer resources to the printer.
Enter the name of the directory where the overlay files are stored, including the drive letter and full directory path. Remember to create the actual directory with the DOS make directory (md) command. If you will not use this feature, leave the directory name blank.
The forms overlay feature is discussed in detail in section 4.7, Forms Overlay.
This section describes parameters you need to set when attaching devices to the PC serial ports. Serial input devices also are supported.
When you finish configuring your printer, you can print a test file to verify that the configuration is correct. Refer to Appendix C, Printer Test.
COM Device Menu
The following options may be selected:
Use this device
Select this option to enable the COM device. You must enable the device before you can use it. The selected COM device displays as a destination device on the Assign Devices menu.
Delete this device
Default. The COM device is disabled and does not display on the Assign Devices menu. The status (deleted) displays next to the device name at the top of the screen. The Assign Devices menu is easier to read if unused devices are disabled.
Performance Tuning: If any COM devices are not used, they should be disabled to free buffers that may then be used for other program features.
Choose printer type
You must choose the type of printer to use. When you select this menu item, a list of printers displays. The choices are discussed in section 4.6, Choose Printer Type. Your selection displays on the Devices and Printers menu, next to the device name.
Serial port options
Additional information about the COM port must be specified. The mode of the serial port (including baud, parity, data bits, and stop bits) must match the mode of the device attached to the serial port. Consult the device user manual for the mode settings.
Miscellaneous printer options
Several parameters are available which affect printer performance. These parameters are discussed under Miscellaneous Printer Options for COM Devices.
See section 9.2, Printer Control, for other parameters that affect printing.
Printer control data
Printer control data is used to send control codes to the printer, such as commands to set the lines-per-form and lines-per-inch, or commands to reset the printer. See section 4.8, Printer Control Data.
Escape
This option appears twice on the menu. Select Escape or press the ESC key to return to the Devices and Printers menu.
Select Serial port options from the COM device menu to reach this screen:
Baud rate?
Baud rate (bits per second) determines the rate at which data bits are transmitted. The receiver and sender must transmit at the same rate. Supported speeds depend on the COM port in your PC. To achieve 57.6K and 115K, the COM port must have a buffering 16550 UART chip.
Parity?
A parity bit may be added to each transmitted character to aid in error detection. The parity selection must be the same for both the sender and receiver.
None
Odd
Even
Data bits?
Specify the number of bits that are transmitted for each character. The number of data bits for both the sender and receiver must match.
8
7
Stop bits?
Data travels on a serial line as a 1 or 0. The beginning of a data string is indicated by one start bit. The end of a character is indicated by one or two stop bits. Choose the number of stop bits required by the receiver.
1
2
Hardware flow control?
Flow control prevents congestion of data caused by one device transmitting data faster than another device can receive the data. Some printers use XON/XOFF flow control, some printers use hardware flow control, and other printers use both.
A printer that uses hardware flow control uses a signal on an RS232 pin to show that it is ready to receive data. The printer cable normally connects this signal to Clear-To-Send on the PC’s serial port. The serial port interface is described in Appendix A. Sections A.1 and A.2 discuss serial port signals for sending and receiving data. Sections A.3 and A.4 describe serial cable specifications.
CTS
DSR
DSR
& CTS
None
To determine whether you have selected the correct flow control option, refer to the Status Line on the Operation screen. When you take the printer off line, the Status Line on the Operation screen displays XOFF, CTS=0, or DSR=0. When you put the printer online, the Status Line displays normal. For more information on the Status Line, refer to Chapter 13.
XON/XOFF flow control?
XON/XOFF is a type of software flow control. For a general discussion on flow control, refer to the option Hardware flow control above.
No
Yes
The XOFF character from the printer suspends output. XOFF is the ASCII DC3 character and is coded as hexadecimal 13.
XON resumes output to the printer. XON is the ASCII DC1 character and is coded as hexadecimal 11.
The flow control mechanism ignores the parity of XON and XOFF characters.
Interrupt request?
This option displays only for COM3 or COM4. Specify the Interrupt request to be used. Each COM port must have a different IRQ setting. (COM1 uses IRQ4, COM2 uses IRQ3.) If two COM ports are set to the same IRQ an error message displays.
Use this device as a data Source as well as Destination?
Data may be input or output from a serial port. When data is input, the serial port is referred to as a data source. When data is output, the serial port is a data destination. Source and destination devices are discussed in sections 4.1 and 6.3.
No
Yes
When you press ENTER, the Serial Port Source Options screen displays. The parameters which must be specified are described in the following section, Serial Port Source Options.
When data is input on a serial port, it can be sent to a printer attached to a PC parallel port, a PC serial port, or the network. Data also can be written to a file.
Error Handling for Serial Input
Input from COM1 lost, a ? is substituted for lost character.
This condition may occur when interrupts are turned off by software other than BARR/SPOOL (i.e., LAN or device driver software) or when data transmission errors occur.
Serial port conventions are documented in Appendix A, Serial Port Interface.
If a serial device is set to be both a data source and a destination and XON/XOFF flow control is specified, XON/XOFF flow control will work in both directions.
To reach the Serial Port Source Options, from the Serial Port Options screen set Use this device as a data Source as well as a Destination? to Yes. The following screen displays:
Input mode?
Select the character set of the data to be input on the serial port.
ASCII
Additional processing is performed if you set the End-of-file marker option to a value other than 1A. If End-of-file marker is not 1A, the software converts any 1A characters occurring in the data to a tilde (~). Because 1A is the end-of-file marker used by DOS, it must be removed to prevent DOS from prematurely ending the file.
Binary
The software checks for the specified End-of-file marker to indicate the end of the input file. However, unlike ASCII input mode, when the end of the file is reached the DOS end-of-file character is not added.
XON/XOFF flow control is not recommended if you are using binary input mode.
Length of end-of-file marker:
Specify the length of the end-of-file marker. The maximum value is 8. BARR/SPOOL recognizes the end-of-file marker that it receives from the serial port. The default marker is the one-byte, hexadecimal 1A, which is the DOS and VAX/VMS end-of-file marker. A four-byte end-of-file marker should be used if Input mode is Binary.
End-of-file marker:
Enter the end-of-file marker using hexadecimal digits. The entry line reflects the length specified by the previous option. The default value, 1A, is the end-of-file marker used by DOS.
Card reader input?
If you plan to receive data from a card reader, select how the end of file will be handled. Some card readers generate additional characters after the end-of-file marker which, if not discarded, would cause the Barr software to open a new file. Your selection depends on how your card reader signals end-of-file.
No
Yes
Verify
If Input mode is ASCII, the software verifies that after every 80 data columns there is a carriage return and line feed (CR LF) and includes them in the data file.
If Input mode is Binary, the software verifies that after every 80 data columns there is a carriage return (CR) then discards the carriage return.
During data input if a character is lost, the job is canceled and the next job will start following the end-of-file card.
FF
Close input file on timeout?
Timeout
in seconds:
If data input on the serial port stops, after a specified period of time the software will close the input file. This time period during which no data is received is called a timeout and is measured in seconds. After the file is closed, the data is sent to the destination device.
The default timeout period is 30 seconds, but timeout can be set to anywhere from 0 to 999 seconds. The timeout feature can be used with the end-of-file marker to indicate the end of a file.
No
Yes
Several printer options can be used with COM devices to simplify processing of the print data or to solve printing problems. To reach these options, from the Devices and Printers menu select Miscellaneous printer options.
Printer performance optimized?
Choose whether to optimize printer performance by converting data as it is sent to the printer. This option cannot be used with laser printers.
Yes
Blank lines are converted to line feeds.
If the printer has DAVFU support, the hardware skip-to-VFU channel commands will be used to perform high-speed skipping of blank lines. Direct Access Vertical Forms Unit (DAVFU) is a Dataproducts convention for specifying vertical forms control.
Horizontal tab characters are converted to the required number of blanks to emulate tab settings at every eight positions.
No
Conditional new page at end of file?
Choose whether the software should add a form feed to the end of a file, if needed. This ensures that each file begins at the top of a new page, which is helpful when form feeds are missing from some files.
Yes
No
Make all files have an even number of pages?
Choose whether all files should have an even number of pages for easier job separation.
No
Yes
Display count of lines or pages:
This option controls the count of lines or pages printed which appears on the Status Line (the second line of the Operation screen) and under Units on the Print Spool screen.
Lines
Pages
Forms overlay directory:
The forms overlay feature of many laser printers sets up a form that prints automatically on every page of data — the electronic version of the pre-printed form. The Barr forms overlay feature has several applications. It can be used for electronic forms or to send additional printer control data or printer resources to the printer.
Enter the name of the directory where overlay files are stored. Include the drive letter and full directory path. Remember to create the actual directory with the DOS make directory (md) command. If you are not using this feature, leave the directory name blank.
The forms overlay feature is discussed in section 4.7, Forms Overlay.
This section describes parameters you need to set when routing print output to network printers. The NET devices can use a Device driver, Novell Print Queue, or Unix Print Queue to route files to printers. Each NET device uses a separate set of Printer Control Data, which allows different types of network printers to be used.
NET Device Menu
Select NET1.
The following selections display for each NET device.
Use this device
Select this option to enable the NET device. You must enable the device before you can use it. The selected device displays as a destination choice on the Assign Devices menu. The device is not enabled in the Barr software unless you select this option.
Delete this device
Default. The NET device is disabled and does not display on the Assign Devices menu. The status (deleted) displays next to the device name at the top of the screen. The Assign Devices menu is easier to read if unused devices are disabled.
Network printer options
Select which type of Network printer to use. Choices are Novell Print Queue, Device driver, and Unix Print Queue. When you press ENTER, additional information displays at the bottom of the screen. Refer to the following section, Network Printer Options, for a description of these parameters.
Choose printer type
You must choose the type of printer to use. When you select this menu item, a list of printers displays. The printer choices are discussed in section 4.6, Choose Printer Type. Once a selection is made, it displays on the NET Devices menu, next to the device name.
Miscellaneous printer options
Several options are available which affect printing. These parameters are discussed under Miscellaneous Printer Options for NET Devices later in this section.
See section 9.2, Printer Control, for additional parameters that affect printing.
Printer control data
This feature is used to send control codes to the printer, such as commands to set the lines-per-form and lines-per-inch or commands to reset the printer. For network printers, printer control data has a special function. Printer control data specific to network printers is discussed under Printer Control Data for Network Printers.
Escape
The Escape option appears twice on the menu. Select Escape or press the ESC key to return to the Devices and Printers menu.
From the Devices and Printers menu for the selected NET device, select Network printer options. On the Network Printer Options screen, you specify how files are routed to the network printers.
network type:
Choose which type of network printer to use. Once you make a selection, additional parameters display on the lower half of the screen. Three choices are available:
Novell
Print Queue
Device
driver
Unix
Print Queue
printer type:
The printer type you select on the Printer type screen displays here.
This section describes the parameters you set when Novell Print Queue is selected as the NET device network type.
Network Queues and Servers
For each NET device, you can route all output to one print queue on a specific file server, or you can route output to different print queues on any server using the print file’s FCB name or form name.
The number of Novell print queues you may access is determined by the number of NET devices you define and the number of entries you make in the FCB/FORM to Novell Print Queue Translation Table.
Network Connections
Of the eight possible server connections, the number available for the NET devices depends on how many server connections are being used for other purposes. The PC may log into file servers when it is powered on, before the Barr software is started. These server connections are used to access network drives and cannot be logged out by the Barr software. However, these connections can be used by the Barr LAN Connections feature.
If the Barr NOVELL Queues option is used, the software will log onto one file server as a Print Server. This type of connection is different than the user connection made by the NET devices. The software will not log out of the NOVELL Queues connection, either, during program operation. Because Novell does not allow a PC to log in to the same file server as both a user and a Print Server, the NET devices cannot access the same server used by the NOVELL Queues.
If you select Novell Print Queue as the NET device network type, the following parameters display on the lower half of the screen:
File server:
Print queue:
Enter the File server and Print queue names if you want to route all output for the NET device to one print queue. When routing output to many devices based on FCB name or form name, you may leave these fields blank or you may enter a default value in case of an error condition. (Refer to the section FCB/FORM to Novell Print Queue Translation Table.)
The software can be logged into a maximum of 8 different file servers at one time. Refer to Network Connections earlier in this section for a discussion of the available server connections.
User name:
Password:
A Username and Password are used by BARR/SPOOL to connect to file servers. Only one Username and Password may be used for logging into all the servers, and the values entered for one NET device display on all the NET device screens. If these fields are changed on one screen, the change is reflected on all the other NET device screens.
The Password does not display on the screen when it is entered because the Barr software uses a keyed login to allow login on servers restricted to encrypted passwords.
During operation, if the software is already logged into a given server, the existing login is used. No additional login is performed even if the Barr software is logged in to the server with a different user name than that specified in the Username field.
If the Barr software performs a login to connect to a print queue, then when the print job completes the software will log out. BARR/SPOOL can be logged into a maximum of eight file servers at one time. If a login is needed but the software is already logged into eight servers, login is deferred until a print job completes and frees a server slot. If a NET device is unable to connect to the specified server/queue because the server/queue is unavailable, it will retry the connection repeatedly at 5-minute intervals.
Refer to Network Connections earlier in this section for a discussion of the available server connections.
Use ___ for print queue name?
Output is routed to the print queue specified by this option. Three choices are available.
name
entered above
FCBNAME
FORMNAME
To include the FCB name or form name information in the file, use the Barr OUTPUT statement or the Barr Spool header from data option.
Use Novell print banners?
Select whether Novell print banners will be used.
Yes
No
Display jobname on print banners?
This option applies only if Novell print banners are enabled. Select whether the job name will be included on the banner page.
Yes
No
Use Novell form numbers?
This option allows you to control Novell form number processing for NET devices. The Novell PRINTDEF utility is used to define forms on the network print queues.
No
Yes
Add form feed between jobs?
This option is useful when sending jobs to laser printers to ensure that the last page of the job is flushed from the printer before the next job starts.
Yes
No
If you select FCBNAME or FORMNAME as the print queue name on the Network Printer Options screen, the screen titled FCB/FORM to Novell Print Queue Translation Table automatically displays. The translation table is used to route files to specific print queues based on the file FCB name or form name.
How the Table Works
If a match is found in the table, the file is routed to the corresponding file server and print queue that is listed in the table. If a match is not found, the software performs the action described under Error Handling.
Tips for Making Translation Table Entries
As each entry is made in the translation table, the number of bytes remaining in the table displays in the bottom right corner of the screen. Data entry continues until you press ESC or the table fills. The table size is 1167 bytes and usually holds 20 to 30 entries. If you need a larger table, you can request a special version of the software from Barr Systems.
To move between fields within a table entry, use the TAB or UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, and RIGHT ARROW keys.
Press ENTER to save the current entry and advance to the next entry.
To remove an entry, use the SPACEBAR to blank it out.
Press ESC to exit the table when you are done.
Translation Table Parameters
Name:
Specify the FCB name or form name that is included in the source file. The software can provide the desired FCB name or form name using the Barr OUTPUT statement or the Spool Header from data option.
DOS wildcards are not valid for entries in this table.
File Server:
Print Queue:
Enter the name of File Server and Print Queue where jobs with the specified FCB name or form name will be routed.
Error Handling
The output can be directed to a default printer. For this method, enter a default value for the File Server and Print Queue fields on the Network Printer Options screen.
The source device is set to SUSPEND and an error message displays on the Barr console. Operator intervention is required. This is the same action that occurs after a disk write error. For this method of error handling, the File Server and Print Queue fields on the Network Printer Options screen should be blank.
This error can be corrected from the Assign Devices menu. Change the destination from SUSPEND to a NET device that does not use the FCB/FORM to Novell Print Queue Translation Table or to a NET device that has a default File Server and Print Queue. When the file finishes printing, change the destination back to the original destination.
If you select Device driver as the NET device network type, the following parameter displays on the lower half of the screen:
Device name:
Enter the DOS device name for the network printer. The device name can be either the name of a device or a file. Common device names are LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3. If a device name is specified, network redirection of the device must also be enabled on the network.
If you specify a file name for the device name, the file extension is optional. When writing to a file, any files with duplicate names are renamed using automatic generation of numeric file extensions. The software assigns the first file with a duplicate name an extension of .001, the next file with that same name is given extension .002, and so on. For an example of the automatic naming sequence, refer to File Name Extensions, Automatic Naming Sequence in section 6.5.
Support for Unix Print Queues allows you to write files from the PC to print queues on a Unix host. The LPR protocol is used to write to an LPD at the specified IP address. (LPR is used to submit jobs to LPD print queues, and LPD manages the print queues.)
This option is available upon request from Barr Systems.
Use of this feature requires FTP Software’s PC/TCP kernel, version 2.2 or later. PC/TCP provides the PC interface to the TCP/IP network.
The number of TCP connections is limited only by the number of NET devices you define. Because the Barr software has 12 NET devices, up to 12 TCP connections are possible.
In the PC/TCP software, the default number of TCP connections is 6. This value is specified as tcp-connections=6 in the PCTCP.INI file. If you need more than 6 connections, increase this value in the PCTCP.INI file.
If you select Unix Print Queue as the network type for the NET device, the following parameters display on the lower half of the screen:
Print server address:
Enter the IP address or the equivalent host name of the print server where files will be sent.
Print queue:
Enter the name of the print queue on the print server.
Local Host name:
This name indicates the BARR PC node name. When viewing a queue of files that is sent with the print file, it is helpful to determine the file source. The Local Host name is added to the LPR/LPD control file on the Unix host and is required by some LPDs.
User ID:
Choose a User ID to identify the user submitting the job. The same User ID must be used for all your NET devices. The User ID is added to the LPR/LPD control file that is sent with the print file and is required by some LPDs.
LPR Temp Directory:
Files are written to a temporary directory to determine the file size. The LPR/LPD protocol requires that the exact file size is known before the file can be processed. Only files originating from the PC disk have a known file size. Because files can originate from sources other than the PC disk, all files are written to the temporary directory to determine their size before being sent to the Unix host.
Specify the name of the directory where the temporary files will be stored, including the drive letter and full directory path. The software automatically creates the directory using the DOS make directory (md) command.
Add form feed between jobs?
Specify whether to add a form feed between jobs for easier job separation.
Yes
No
Two printer options are available for network printers. From the Devices and Printers screen for the selected NET device, select Miscellaneous printer options.
These options are specified separately for each NET device.
Log operations on console?
This option controls the console messages START NETn and END NETn. These messages display when output is sent to the NET devices.
Yes
No
Forms overlay directory:
The printer forms overlay feature of many laser printers sets up a form that automatically prints on every page of data — the electronic version of the pre-printed form. The Barr forms overlay feature has several applications. It can be used for electronic forms or to send additional printer control data or printer resources to the printer.
Enter the name of the directory where overlay files are stored. Include the drive letter and full directory path. Remember to create the actual directory with the DOS make directory (md) command. If you are not using this feature, leave the directory name blank.
The forms overlay feature is discussed in detail in section 4.7, Forms Overlay.
Printer Control Data has some uses that are especially important to NET printers, as described below. For a complete discussion of Printer Control Data, refer to section 4.8.
Printer Reset Strings
Printer reset strings should be entered in the Printer Control Data table for the NET devices.
Using Form Overlays as Reset Strings
You must assign a printer type for each LPT, COM, and NET device you use. Select Choose printer type from the Devices and Printers screen for the selected device. A list of printer types displays.
Select the printer type.
Except for the special selection Generic, all of the printers listed are line printers. For most selections, the Barr software automatically sets lines-per-form and lines-per-inch on the printer, so you do not have to adjust these settings manually.
The selections fall into three categories:
Generic, which does not provide the lines-per-form and lines-per-inch settings and is used for laser printers.
Line printers for which the software sends lines-per-form and lines-per-inch control codes.
Line printers for which the software sends lines-per-form and lines-per-inch control codes and implements VFU (Vertical Forms Unit).
The lines-per-form and lines-per-inch settings provided by the Barr software are listed under Lines-per-form and Lines-per-inch in this section.
Additional information is provided below for printer selections which have specific requirements.
If you have a line printer which is not listed on the screen, check Table 4-1 for a compatible selection. Compare the control codes in Table 4-1 to the control codes listed in your printer manual to determine if one of the selections will work.
Generic
Use this selection for laser printers or if you wish to use settings other than the ones supplied by the software. You need to set the lines-per-form and lines-per-inch using other BARR/SPOOL options (Printer Control Data or Forms Overlay) or you must set them on the printer.
This selection also is useful if you do not want the data to be altered by the software. To prevent the data from being modified you also must set Printer performance optimized? to No under Miscellaneous Printer Options.
DAVFU, Dataproducts
Printronix P300, P600
Only the lines-per-form is set by the Barr software when you use one of these printers. The lines-per-inch must be set manually on the printer.
D.P.I.
Use this selection only if you are using the BARR/DPI adapter from Barr Systems.
The BARR/DPI printer adapter and cable support all printers which use the Dataproducts Interface. The adapter can be configured for the devices LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3 and is fully compatible with BIOS and DOS. (The adapter is available in both long-line and short-line versions. The cable is available with either a Winchester connector or a D-type 50-pin connector.)
Because the Dataproducts VFU feature is fully implemented in Barr software, the printer can jump directly to a specific line without printing blank lines. This results in faster printing.
The BARR/DPI adapter also supports extended ASCII codes (8-bit data). An example of an extended code is the cent (˘) sign. To use the extended ASCII codes, on the Miscellaneous Printer Options screen set Enable VFU download into printer to No. This has no effect on printing other than disabling optimization. Failure to disable optimization will result in errors in the printed output.
Use of extended ASCII codes also disables the Paper Instruction (PI) line. With regular ASCII format (7-bit data), the 8th data bit is sent to the printer’s PI line. The PI line is driven only for printer control data or DAVFU commands. With extended ASCII format, the 8th data bit is used as data, so the PI line is idle.
Genicom (D.P.I. - No LPI)
This printer type is similar to the D.P.I. selection but does not send the lines-per-inch (LPI) setting to the printer. Use this selection for printers which supply the LPI setting but need the software to set the lines-per-form (LPF). The Genicom 1255 is an example of such a printer.
Control codes, also called escape sequences, are used to specify the lines-per-form, lines-per-inch, and other format settings for printers. The control codes used for your printer are described in your printer manual. The Barr software supplies the most common codes used for various printers. Consult your printer manual for a list of the control codes your printer supports.
Table 4-1 shows common control codes for the printers listed on the Choose Printer Type screen. Values for lines-per-form and lines-per-inch are provided by form information in the original file. If the lines-per-form (LPF) and lines-per-inch (LPI) values are not provided in the file at the time it prints, the software uses the default values of LPF=66 and LPI=6. When data is sent to the printer, the software interprets the value for these settings and sends the corresponding escape sequences to the printer.
If your printer is not listed in Table 4-1, check to see if one of the selections provides the control codes used by your printer. If the correct codes are listed, select the corresponding printer from the list. If the codes for your printer are not listed, use the selection Generic and enable another Barr option (Printer Control Data or Forms Overlay) to provide the control codes.
*Double question marks (??) in the control codes represent characters with no ASCII equivalent.
The Barr forms overlay feature has several applications. It can be used to print electronic forms or to send printer control data or printer resources to the printer. Each application is described below.
When a file is ready to be printed, the software searches the forms overlay directory for a specific overlay file. If the overlay file is found, it is sent to the printer before the print file.
The name of the directory used to store the overlay files is specified on the Miscellaneous Printer Options screen for the LPT, COM, or NET devices. Additionally, the form overlay options listed below must be specified under Tuning Data on the Printer Control screen. The following parameters are described in section 9.2:
Search for form overlay by?
Use overlay default file if overlay not found?
Default overlay file:
Suspend printing if overlay not found?
Overlay files must be named for the FORMNAME or JOBNAME. The naming convention is specified using the Search for form overlay by? option on the Tuning Data, Printer Control screen. Overlay file names must not have an extension. For example, INVOICE is an acceptable overlay name, but INVOICE.001 is not.
Electronic forms are a replacement for pre-printed forms. The forms overlay feature of many laser printers allows an electronic form to be printed automatically on every page of a file and allows you to use plain paper. For example, the text of an invoice form is sent to the printer only once and is loaded as an overlay. Next, the data file is sent, and each page of data is overlayed with the invoice form, so that both the form and the data print on the page.
Electronic forms are created using a forms composition package. This type of software allows you to easily design forms and insert special printer codes. The completed forms must be stored as overlay files in the forms overlay directory. Before the Barr software prints a file, it checks the forms overlay directory and sends the corresponding form overlay file to the printer.
Additional information on forms composition packages and management of forms is discussed in the publication Electronic Forms Management, which is available upon request from Barr Systems.
The forms overlay feature may be used to send printer control codes to the printer as an alternative to using the Printer Control Data screen in the Barr software. This method is especially useful if you have more printer control codes to enter than will fit on the Printer Control Data screen. The printer control codes must be entered in the overlay file in hexadecimal format using a program editor.
Some printers may require that additional resources are loaded before printing certain jobs. Files containing printer resources can be placed in overlay files and will be loaded automatically by the Barr software. For example, the SNPFORM and SNPIMAGE utilities for Siemens printers are used to generate additional fonts or other resources. These files are placed in the forms overlay directory.
Barr software offers data conversion from EBCDIC to PostScript. Use of this feature requires Barr-supplied overlay files. The overlay files 2UP, LAND, and PORTRAIT are included with the Barr Reference files and must be placed in the forms overlay directory. Additionally, the Receive Mode for the host printer or punch device must be set to PostScript in the Barr software. Refer to the discussion on Receive Mode in section 6.8.
An overlay can be composed of more than one file by using the Barr embedded send command, ##. This command allows you to store common overlay features in separate files so they can be shared. Otherwise you would have to store duplicate copies of the same information in many overlay files.
To create an overlay file composed of other files:
Use a program editor to create individual files containing the overlay features you want. For example, create one file that contains a font code and another file that contains a company logo.
Use the editor to create an overlay file and enter the names of the files containing the features you want. The form of the text is:
##file1 file2 ... filen
The embedded Send Files command, ##, must be at the beginning of the list.
Separate the file names with a space, tab, or blank line.
If the files are not located in the overlay directory, specify the full directory path as part of each file name.
The overlay file containing the list can have a maximum size of 512 bytes.
For example, you can create an overlay file that includes a tax form, a company logo, and the courier font from three other overlay files. First, create a file named TAXFORM that contains the form text, a file named LOGO that contains the company logo, and a file named COURIER that contains the courier font code. Next, create an overlay file named TAXES that contains this text:
##taxform logo courier
When a job with the form name TAXES is ready to print, the files containing the form taxform, the logo text, and the courier font are loaded into the printer as an overlay. Additionally, the TAXFORM, COURIER, and LOGO files can be included in other overlay files you create.
Printer Control Data is an optional feature for LPT, COM, and NET devices that is used to control special functions of the printer. Special printer functions include setting portrait and landscape mode, page size, lines-per-form, lines-per-inch, characters-per-inch, and typeface.
On the Printer Control Data screen, you enter printer codes for these functions as strings of characters in hexadecimal format. Each control string is terminated by two bytes of hexadecimal zeros (00 00). When the software sends a file to the printer, it sends the codes to the printer ahead of the file. Some strings can be sent at the end of the file.
The escape sequences used by your printer are documented in your printer manual.
This section tells how to enter control codes on the Printer Control Data screen, describes special control characters, and gives several control code examples.
From the Devices and Printers menu for the selected LPT, COM, or NET device, select Printer Control Data.
Enter the printer control data as pairs of hexadecimal digits. As each code is entered, the corresponding ASCII character displays in the space after the code.
The Printer Control Data screen contains 10 entry lines that can hold up to 20 control characters each. Follow the guidelines listed below for entering control codes.
If you need to enter more printer control codes than will fit on this screen, you can create files containing these codes instead of entering them here. Use a program editor that supports entry of hexadecimal codes to create the files, then use the Forms Overlay feature to send the codes to the printer. Refer to section 4.7, Forms Overlay, for a detailed description of this method.
Use the UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, and RIGHT ARROW keys to move around the screen.
If you make an error, you can use the ESC key to return the screen to its original values.
When you press ENTER the new values are stored. The ESC key will not clear stored values; you will need to type over any values you want to replace.
In the Printer Control Data table, different types of control strings are distinguished by special control characters. Applications for the various control strings are described below.
Control string separator. Each control string must be terminated by two sets of hexadecimal zeros (00 00). Strings do not have to start on a new line. A string that begins on one line may wrap to the next line.
Control string sent before each file. A string that begins in the first position of the table is sent to the printer at the start of every file. If you do not want to use a global string, begin your table entries after the first two pairs of zeros (00 00).
Control string sent after each file. A string that starts with FF is sent to the printer at the end of every file. You may want to use a string beginning with FF to reset the printer after each job, especially if the printer is shared by the Barr PC and users on the network.
Control string used as a serial port input header. A string beginning with FE is called a Serial Port Input Header and has a different use than other control strings. Rather than being sent to the printer as control codes, this string is appended to the beginning of all files input on the selected serial (COM) port. If the header is composed of multiple lines, indicate the line breaks by inserting a hexadecimal 0D (carriage return). Refer to the earlier discussion on Serial Port Input under Serial Port Options.
Following are several examples that show how printer control data can be used. Each example shows codes for a different type of printer.
A laser printer is capable of printing in both portrait (8.5 x 11) and landscape orientation (11 x 8.5). Printer commands are used to set the desired mode on the printer. This example shows how to send a reset command each time a printer control string is used and how to enter two printer control strings — one for portrait and one for landscape.
The first pair 1B 45 resets the printer. Anytime the Barr software comes into the Printer Control Data table looking for an entry, it also will reset the printer. If you did not want the printer to be reset, you would enter 00 00 instead.
Printer Control 01 is the HP Laserjet landscape control string.
Printer Control 02 is the HP Laserjet portrait control string.
The printer control string for a file is set using the PRT utility. When a file using the Printer Control 01 is ready to print, BARR/SPOOL searches the Printer Control Data table for an entry beginning with the index 01 and sends the corresponding codes to the printer. In this case, index 01 is the control string for landscape printing.
Control codes are useful when the printer is shared between the Barr PC and users on the network. Codes entered in this example cause files sent to the printer by the Barr software to print in a compressed-text format. Files sent to the printer from other sources print at a normal density.
The control code 0F causes the EPSON/IBM printer to print compressed text at a density of 132 characters-per-line. To reset the printer at the end of each file, use the end-of-file string which begins with FF. For the EPSON/IBM printer, the reset code is 12. Each control string is terminated with a 00 00 sequence.
The SEND devices allow you to route files from the PC to a selected destination device. The SEND devices are enabled or disabled from the Devices and Printers menu. Once they are enabled, the SEND devices display on the Assign Devices menu. For example, to send files to the printer LPT1 you would assign SEND1LPT1. Refer to Chapter 6, Assign Devices, and Chapter 13, BARR/SPOOL Operation, for more information about using the SEND devices.
When you select a SEND device on the Devices and Printers menu, the corresponding screen displays:
Delete this device
Default. The SEND device is disabled and does not display on the Assign Devices menu. The status (deleted) displays next to the device name at the top of the screen. The Assign Devices menu is easier to read if unused devices are disabled. Additionally, the Send Files command is omitted from the Operation menu.
Use this device
Select this option to enable the SEND device. You must enable the device before you can use it. The selected SEND device displays as a source device on the Assign Devices menu. It becomes active as soon it is assigned to a destination other than SUSPEND. Additionally, the Send Files command displays on the Operation menu.
The Barr LAN devices allow users on the network to use features of the Barr software. Because this option functions as if network users were connected to the PC, it is also referred to as LAN Connections. Specifically, users on the network can route files from the network to any BARR/SPOOL destination device.
A LAN device is simply a network directory that the Barr software checks at regular intervals. When a file is found in the directory, the software routes it to the destination specified on the Assign Devices menu. Up to four LAN devices can be specified, and each device may be assigned a different directory and a different destination.
The LAN Connections options must be defined in the software, as described below. Then users can copy files into the designated Read Directory using the DOS copy command, or they can use the MOVE utility. The MOVE utility is faster than copying the file and is discussed later in this section.
The software also lets you specify whether files are to be deleted or saved to another directory once they have been sent from the LAN Connections directory.
After selecting a LAN device on the Devices and Printers menu, the following screen displays:
Use this device
Select this option to enable the LAN device. You must enable the device before you can use it. The selected LAN device displays as a source device on the Assign Devices menu. Next, select Options and specify the LAN Connection directory.
Delete this device
Default. The LAN device is disabled and does not display on the Assign Devices menu. The status (deleted) displays next to the device name at the top of the screen. The Assign Devices menu is easier to read if unused devices are disabled.
From the LAN Connection screen for the selected LAN device, select Options to display the following screen:
These options must be specified before you can use the device.
Check Read directory for new files every ___ seconds:
Specify how often BARR/SPOOL checks the LAN Connections directories for files. The default interval is 30 seconds. This value may be adjusted from any one of the LAN1-LAN4 screens, and the change is reflected on all four screens.
Read directory:
Specify the name of the directory containing the files to be routed. Include the drive letter and the full directory path. A different directory may be specified for each LAN device. Files are removed from this directory once they are routed. The directory name can be followed by a forward slash (/) and any of the Send Modes described in Chapter 13, BARR/SPOOL Operation.
Retain directory:
Optional. The name of the directory, including the drive letter, where files will be moved after they are routed. If no Retain directory name is given, the files are deleted after routing. The Retain directory must be on the same disk drive as the Read directory. If a file of the same name already exists in the Retain directory, a unique numeric file name extension will be added to the new file so it does not overwrite the existing file.
Delete old Retain directory files?
If you are using the Retain directory feature, choose whether old retain files will be automatically deleted. This feature may be used to free disk space when many files are being retained.
No
Yes
Retain files for ___ days.
Specify the number of days that files will be retained before they are automatically deleted. The default retain period is 7 days. When files are moved to the Retain directory, the date and time are changed to the current PC date and time to enable tracking of the retain period. The software deletes the expired retain files each time the program is started and at midnight when the PC system date changes.
This option is valid only if Delete old Retain directory files? is set to Yes.
Start JCL file:
This option does not apply to BARR/SPOOL.
End JCL file:
This option does not apply to BARR/SPOOL.
Once a file is sent from the LAN connections directory, the software either deletes or renames the file. If an error occurs during the delete or rename attempt, the LAN device will be suspended (LAN1SUSPEND) on the Assign Devices menu. To re-enable the LAN device, you must correct the error then re-assign the device to its original destination from Assign Devices.
The Barr MOVE command changes the location of a file by renaming the directory portion of the file name. This is faster than copying the file to a new location, then deleting the original file. MS-DOS version 6.0 has a MOVE command that automatically overwrites existing files. The Barr MOVE command does not overwrite existing files unless you explicitly specify the overwrite option.
The file MOVE.EXE is provided with the Barr Reference files.
Tips for using the MOVE command
The form of the command is:
MOVE F:\PATH1\FILE F:\PATH2\FILE
where F: is the drive letter, PATH1 is the directory where the original file is located, FILE is the file name, and PATH2 is the new directory for the file.
A file can only be moved to a new location on the same drive. (The new location for the file must have the same drive letter as the original location of file.) For example,
MOVE F:\JOBS\PAYROLL F:\LAN1\PAYROLL
The MOVE command supports moving multiple files using the DOS wildcard characters * and ?. For example,
MOVE F:\JOBS\PAY*.* F:\LAN1\*.*
You can rename the file when moving it. For example:
MOVE F:\JOBS\PAYROLL F:\LAN1\CHECKS
If a file of the same name already exists in the destination directory, the MOVE command does not overwrite the file and displays an error message.
To overwrite a file with the same name, use the /d switch. For example,
MOVE/D F:\PATH1\FILE F:\PATH2\*.*
For online help with the MOVE command, type MOVE at the DOS prompt and press ENTER.
This section describes the parameters you set when receiving data from Novell job or print queues.
Network Queues and Servers
Network Connections
If the Barr NOVELL Queues option is used, the software will log onto one file server as a Print Server. This type of connection is different than the user connection made by the NET devices to access Novell print queues. The software will not log out of the Print Server connection during program operation.
Because Novell does not allow a PC to log in to the same file server as both a user and a Print Server, the NET devices cannot access the same server used by the NOVELL Queues.
Of the eight possible server connections, the number available for use by the Barr software depends on how many server connections are used for other purposes. The PC may log into file servers when it is powered on, before the Barr software is run. These server connections are used to access network drives and cannot be logged out by the Barr software. However, these connections can be used by the Barr LAN Connections feature. If the Barr NET devices are used to access Novell print queues, the software will log in to and out of file servers as needed.
From the Devices and Printers menu, select NOVELL Queues. The following menu displays:
Choose from the following options:
NW_QUE1-NW_QUE4
Select the Novell NetWare queue to use. When you press ENTER, another screen displays. Refer to the following section, NW_QUE Parameters, for a description of the parameters to specify.
Queue Server Options
The Barr software acts as a network queue server. When you press ENTER, another screen displays. Refer to the section Queue Server Options for a description of the parameters to specify.
When you select an NW_QUE device from the menu, the Source Queue Options screen displays. The same set of parameters must be specified for each NW_QUE device you select. For example, the following screen displays if you select NW_QUE1:
Specify these options:
Use this source device:
Select whether to enable the device.
No
Yes
File server of queue:
Name the file server on which the queue is located. The queues may be located on the same file server or different file servers.
Queue to service:
Name the queue to be serviced by the Barr software.
The Barr software acts as a queue server on the network to access the Novell queues. A server name and password must be specified so the software can log on to the necessary file servers.
When you select Queue Server Options, the following screen displays:
Specify these options:
Queue Server Name:
Enter the server name assigned to the BARR/SPOOL software. This name is used to access the Novell queues.
Queue Server Password:
Enter the server password. BARR/SPOOL software uses the password to access the Novell queues.
BARR/SPOOL supports printing multiple copies of files received from Novell NetWare queues when files are received to disk or to the print spool. Their Novell job information is copied to the Barr file header. The Novell form name and copy count is stored in the corresponding fields of the Barr file header, and the Novell banner name is stored as the job name in the Barr file header.