George Stachnik ([log in to unmask]) wrote:
: Before you buy, take a look at the 5.5 release of MPE/iX.  It has network
: printing bundled, (although I'm not sure how well it supports your
: 5-pages forward or 6-pages back requirement).
 
: P. Mandel wrote:
: >
: > We are looking for a printing prduct that prints from a HP3000 to
: > a network printer.  This product must be able to let the operator
: > know if there is a printer problem (such as needs more paper).
: > It also should be able to print from a certain point (such as 5
: > pages foward or 6 pages back).  Does anyone have suggestions?
: >
: > --
: > P. Mandel
 
The network printing spooler available on Release 5.5 has three requirements:
o   It communicates via TCP/IP protocol (SPX/IPX need not apply).
o   It talks to its printer via a JetDirect interface (internal or external).
    The external JetDirect-to-printer connection is via a parallel interface.
o   The printer itself must be a Printer Command Language (PCL) printer.
 
The operator is notified if the printer is offline or otherwise unable to
print ("needs help").
 
From this point, additional spooler features depend on features of the
printer itself.  If the printer supports a bidirectional parallel interface
(that is, the printer can talk back to the spooler), the spooler can and
will report what kind of "needs help" the printer requires, for example,
offline, out of paper, paper jammed, toner [low, out], etc.  If the printer
also speaks PJL (Printer Job Language), then the spooler supports the second
of P. Mandel's functionalities, namely, the ability to (re)print a document
starting at a specified page.
 
Hope this helps.
 
-Larry "MPE/iX Spoolers 'R' Us" Byler-