Newsgroups: vmsnet.networks.desktop.pathworks
Subject: RE: LAT Parallel Print Servers
From: "Mark Montanez, System Programmer/Manager, AHEC"<MARK@AHECAS.COLORADO.EDU>
Date: 27 Dec 1992 21:41:41 -0700
X-VMS-Cc: MARK
MIME-version: 1.0
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Hi Pathworks folks,
 
Many thanks to all who replied to my request for info on LAT Parallel Print
servers. Attached is a summary/compilation of all the replies that I recieved.
 
I think that I'll try the 'mothballed' PC solution first.  I had thought about
doing it that way first but my hardware type wanted to see if there were 'real'
print server solutions available.  I guess he thinks/thought that this was a
'fix' not a solution.... anyway.....
 
I'd like to hear about problems that you have found (things to keep an eye out
for) or any hints that you can offer, from any one using 'old' or striped down
PC's as print servers.  Pleae reply direct and I'll summarize to the list.
 
Thanks again,
 
Mark Montanez
 
                              ______..---------====*====---------.._______
..=======---------------.   .='======________ ============= _________======`=
`_________________.----'  /  - _-=_/        `-----=*=-----'
    /_____/__.-----======'-------_'
     `-----===._  -  _  =  __.--'     Mark Montanez, System Programmer/Manager
                `---------'                The Auraria Higher Education Center
                                                 Montanezm@ahecas.Colorado.EDU
                                                      Mark@ahecas.Colorado.EDU
 
O'TOLLE'S COMMENTARY ON MURPHY'S LAW
   Murphy was an optimist.
 
 
 
Summary Follows:
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Nigel Arnot (SYSMGR@IPG.PH.KCL.AC.UK) I thought I'd already posted this, but...
someone does make it. It's the Lantronix EPS-2, One serial, One parallel,
inexpensive (390 UK pounds here), multiprotocol (includes appletalk), and the
size of a cigarette packet.
 
I can't vouch for this product (don't yet have one), but I have been very
impressed by other Lantronix servers all of which offer more functionality for
less money than DEC ones do. (As well small boxes with no fans).
 
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Greg Siegert (siegert.gregory@epamail.epa.gov)    I think Emulex might have
what you're looking for.  I'm about to start evaluating a single port print
server called the 2501.  It supports TCP/IP.  Emulex provides a FAX Back
capability on it's product line. You can call 800-EMULEX3 (800-368-5393) and
respond to the prompts or call 714-662-5600 to talk to a Rep.  I hope this
helps.
 
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Steve Roberts (BMCSAR @ UK.AC.MAN.CR.PICR) A word of warning - If you want to
hook up a Postscript printer to one of these devices via a Centronics type
interface, your printer will probably not be able to talk back to the host.
Which rather messes up symbionts that are trying to do page accounting. -- We
nearly got caught - if you know better then I would like to know :-)
 
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Aengus Lawlor (RBYAML@ROHMHAAS.COM) Look at the original message! The 250 is a
terminal server, and priced as such. The market is for a HP compatible
expansion card that can be a LAT device. I could set up a queue on the VAX, and
plug my printer anywhere on the network, and it would work without any need for
external power supplies, or printer cables, or 1000 block files at 9600 baud!
You can already do it with TCP/IP, and Novell workstations are doing it with
IPX. But DEC, who've been using distributed printing for years, getting the
data to the terminal server at ethernet speeds, are still pushing the data
through a 9600 baud bottleneck to the printer.
 
If PathWorks 5.0 lets Novell workstations print to VMS queues, then you'll get
a very clear choice. Easy distributed print queue setup and management, with
9600 baud bottlenecks, or Novells distributed/remote printing, with it's
potential headaches, but ethernet speeds to the printer. You pays you money,
and you takes your choice....
 
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Alan Cantrell (cantrell@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu) There is such a device.  That
is, an HP compatible expansion card that can run LAT.  It is made by XCd Corp.
and costs around $700.  You can reach XCd at (714) 476-7855.
 
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Stephan C. Hankes (hankes@uwplatt.edu) For those interested, GoldKey
Electronics is also offering a LAT Ethernet interface that will plug into an HP
LaserJet IIIsi or HP LaserJet 4's expansion slot. They expect in a couple of
months to have one available for the rest of the HP LaserJet III family.
 
They have 2 models available. One offers automatic switching between PCL,
Postscript, HP-GL, Sixel graphics and LN03 emulation. The other simply passes
data through to the printer. Cost is $1295.00 for the auto-switching model and
$895.00 for the other.
 
I should add that we have not tried these out, but would be interested to hear
from anyone who has. We are using some of their serial auto-switches and have
found the quality and support to be very good. They do tend be pricey, but they
are in a niche market. Their phone # is (603) 625-8518
 
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petri (backstrom@RANGER.ENET.DEC.COM) Do note that the parallel ports in a
DECserver 250 are DataProducts parallel ports and not Centronics parallel ports
most (PC-)printers expect to see and use.
 
The DECserver 250 parallel ports were designed to be used with Digital
high-speed line printers.
 
There are no Digital terminal servers with Centronics parallel ports at this
time, as far as I know. However, Digital is not the only one doing LAT terminal
servers. ;-)
 
Dave Mitton (mitton@DAVE.LKG.DEC.COM) Excuse me, but only serial port and 3rd
party products need be connected by terminal servers.
 
The Digital products for network printing are the PrintServer series
(LPS40,LPS20) of printers.  Both directly connect to the Ethernet and use
DECnet and TCP/IP protocols.  The LPS40 has been around for years.
 
I remember seeing an item somewhere that some third party has developed a plug
in for an HP network printer that understands Digital protocols, but I cannot
find the name or details.
 
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Al Lilianstrom  (lilianstrom@NAGY.FNAL.GOV) The GoldKey device (made by XCd
BTW) that I have on evaluation works just fine.
 
It's installed in a IIISi doing both PostScript and PCL from a couple of
VAXclusters. Works better than the orginal XCd card I tested.(strange but true)
Since they are reselling the XCd stuff, and according to some folks at XCd are
assisting with R&D, I expect that the stuff that XCd sells for the reqular
III's will show up in the GoldKey catalog soon.
 
Also to the DECiee that was pushing the LPS20's and 40's, please compare the
prices.  I can buy 2 or 3 HPIIISi's or QMS-PS1700's for the price of a LPS20.
In my environment and alot of others, distributing the printers makes alot more
sense. I may lose a few features but nothing I can't work around. (price source
Summer 1992 DECdirect hardware catalog)
 
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Malcolm Dunnett (dunnett@mala.bc.ca) There's the P2501 from Emulex ( 1 Parallel
) The EPS-1 from Lantronix ( 1 Parallel and 1 Serial ) The Xconnect(?) from XCD
( 1 Parallel )
 
All of the above do LAT and TCP/IP - some also do IPX and Appletalk.
 
Disclaimer: all of the above is quoted from memory, contact the vendors for
accurate information.
 
I don't believe any of the above have 2 parallel ports ( which the original
poster asked about ), but they're cheap enough that buying two of them might be
a viable solution. Some have 1 parallel and 1 serial, which can be used
simultaneously, so this might be an adequate solution.
 
Another possibility if you have Pathworks ( which I assume most folks reading
this group do ) :
 
Take your favourite noname 386SX clone ( stripped down versions can be had for
$300-400 ), buy a Pathworks client license for it ($200 or so ), an Ethernet
Card ($150-200) and a couple of parallel ports.
 
Make up a boot disk which installs LAT and serves the local printer ports(s)
over LAT. There's no need to set the box up as a full client or connect to a
file service - all we're interested in is LAT. You will need to assign it a
DECNet node number, but as you won't actually be using DECNet the number can be
any arbitrary one, even if it's not in your regular areas.
 
The instructions for all of this are in the Pathworks documentation, you may
need to do a bit of tweaking to get reasonable performance out of it.
 
You now have a 1 or 2 port LAT only parallel print server for a cost of around
$800.
 
Note: the only reason I say you need to already have Pathworks is that you need
the DOS client kit, and buying one just to build a print server doesn't seem
reasonable. You don't need to have Pathworks installed on the VAXen which will
print to this server, it's all done via LAT. YOU DO NEED A CLIENT LICENSE FOR
THE PRINT SERVER.
 
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Michael A. Crowley (mcrowley@MTHOLYOKE.EDU) We did this with a couple of our
old, mothballed 256K dual floppy PCs with monochrome display and printer
adapter cards and a second parallel card. A bit bulky, but works fine.