I think the easiest solution would be to get an external Jet-Direct card
(provided your printer has an alternate parallel port).
 
I've heard that the firmware on printers sometimes looks for certain
parameters when receiving data from the network before they will print.  I'm
an Espul user myself and we use two different types of print boxes-.  Milan
Fastports, & Intel Netport Pros.  Our Intel Netport Pros require that we use
a printer protocol for LPD "Line Printer Daemon" and that it receive a
string that says "LPT1_PASSTHRU".  From the host.  We used to have another
printer card that only required the string "PASSTHRU".
 
My guess is that this string is an attempt by print card companies at some
form of protocol standardization.
 ----------
From: owner-hp3000-l
To: Multiple recipients of list HP3000-L
Subject: Network Printing Question
Date: Wednesday, September 25, 1996 5:50PM
 
We are currently evaluating NBSpool product for our network printing
needs. It is simple to setup the small laserjets with JetDirect network
cards but having a tough time setting up our departmental print server
which is using its own network interface (not JetDirect compatible).
It is a DEC PrintServer 32 printer. I am able to copy or move the
printfile inside NBSpool to the printer with no apparent errors but
nothing prints on the printer. NBSpool is able to establish
communication with the printer so I know printer is setup correctly in
NMMGR Directory.
 
I know that MPE/iX 5.5 release allows network printing. I am sure it
will support JetDirect cards. My queation is what other network cards
will it support?
 
I haven't yet received latest communicator.
 
TIA
Rashid