[log in to unmask] wrote:
: All this talk about JetDirect cards and compatibility with
: MPE/iX 4.0 leads me to the burning question,
:   "If you connect the LJ4 to the HP3000 with a JetDirect card,
:    will the device be spooled?"
: I realize that MPE/iX 5.5 has this capability, but my users on
: 4.0 have a need for this RSN.  Is it possible?  Is it reliable?
 
The answer is Yes, you can spool such a device on pre-5.5 systems.
You just can't use the MPE spooling interface, but must purchase
one of the many offered by various third parties, such as Quest,
Minisoft, and RAC Consulting (my apologies to the others not listed
here).
 
Most approaches involve configuring the printer as an LDEV on a
dummy DTC using NMMGR.  You can then do an OPENQ to that LDEV and
create spool files.  The third party spooler will then poll for
READY spool files on that device queue and print them.
 
The difference on 5.5 is that the MPE spooling commands (SPOOLER,
primarily), control the new OUTSPTJ spooler process, and it is not
necessary for that process to poll for spool files.  When one becomes
ready to print, the process receives a message to that effect (if it
is idle).  Also, it is no longer necessary to use the dummy DTC
artifact to add the device to MPE.
 
Hope this helps.
 
-Larry "MPE/iX Spoolers 'R' Us" Byler-