INTRODUCTION ------------ This is an update to the PRINT verb submitted in the spring '84 SIG tape. Some bugs were found and have been fixed. This verb makes remote printing transparent to a user. *************************************************** INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR THE PRINT VERB *************************************************** 1. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS a. DECPRINT.COM - This is a command procedure used on a local print. b. DIABLO.COM - This command procedure prints the output file(s) on a local, 80 column, letter quality printer. You may not use this but it must be installed. It creates its own 80 column header page as a replacement for DEC's header page. c. FILTABLE.FOR - A fortran program to add or delete the computer's alternate choices if it determines a node is down. d. PRINTABLE.DAT - The file created by the program FILTABLE.FOR. This file is an indexed file, with one key a character string 15 bytes in length. e. REMDIA.COM - This command procedure is used for a remote print on a high quality printer as described above for DIABLO.COM. f. PRINT.CLD - The command language definition file describing the new print verb characteristics. Note that this description is identical to DEC's except for the image activated by the verb. This cld must be executed for each user on login with the "set command" command or better yet at system startup inserting it in the dcltable. g. REMPRT.COM - This command procedure is used for normal printing to a remote node. h. REMPRT.FOR - This is a fortran program which is activated by the print verb. The program must be edited to modify the open statement for PRINTABLE.DAT and the LIB$DO_COMMAND 's to point to the correct device and directory. No other programs are needed to compile and link the program. 2. WHERE TO PUT THEM I would suggest that the programs be put in their own directory . I have kept the working version on the system disk under our library directory : sys$sysroot:[utclib.network] . The directory should contain the following: decprint.com diablo.com printable.dat remdia.com remprt.cld remprt.exe remprt.for (and executable) remprt.com filtable.for (and executable) The default directory for DECnet (ours is [NETUSR]) should contain: remprt.com remdia.com This is repeated all nodes that are to participate in the remote print. 3. COORDINATING THE LOGICAL NAMES BETWEEN NODES Printer's logical names reflect location of the printer within the building and not physical devices. This makes any routing by the program transparent to the user. Printer logical names are three characters long with the following syntax : P1A ________||| | _______|| | | | | | v | | Position of printer : Location of printer on a specific | | floor. (A-Z). Could be thought of a the face of a clock | | with A being 12:00 --> L being 6:00 --> Z being 11:59 etc. | | | v | Floor Number : This value specifies which floor the printer is | located on (0-9). | | v Printer type : Type of printer to be used. Currently, the software supports two types : P --> Normal printers D --> Diablo printers (letter quality) At system startup logical names following the syntax just mentioned should be defined. Logical printer names pointing to printers on that system will end with a single colon ":" , signifying a physical device. Logical printer names pointing to remote cpu printers will be defined with the remote cpu DECnet node name, always ending with "::". This is how the image determines if a remote print is needed. SYS$PRINT and SYS$DIABLO are also allowed as correct queue names. Here are some examples. DEFINE/SYSTEM P1A TXD7: This a local cpu print , on a regular DEC printer, 1st floor, location A. DEFINE/SYTEM D6D IRIS:: This is a remote cpu print, on node IRIS:: , on a DIABLO letter quality printer, 6th floor, location D. On the cpu node IRIS however, the definations would be reversed showing P1A as cpu node EAGLE:: DEFINE/SYSTEM P1A EAGLE:: and queue D6D as a local print to a physical device. DEFINE/SYSTEM D6D TTB8: ********************************************** If you have any problems feel free to contact me at UNITED TECHNOLOGY BUILDING SYSTEMS 433 Las Colinas Boulevard Irving, Texas 75039 (214) 830 - 7501 Attn: DUANE RIECH