›!p ›15m ›?21 J ›87 C ›100;76 B ›87;45 G ›1;67r ›4 L›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 1 Agenda Some basics Standard DECserver queue setup Problem areas Our solution Additional features ›82;161s›3d Page 2 The Basics DECserver-based printer queues: · One connection to the local area network. · One printer is shared by many users. · Access is no longer dependent on any given VAX being up and running. · Printer is now a 'network' printer. How to establish a printer by standard means: · Setup the DECserver port · Create a PORT on a VAX · Initialize and start the print queue ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 3 A Typical Configuration +--------------------+ +--------------------+ | HERVAX | | HISVAX | | Queue LASER | | Queue LN03 | | DECserver MP2111 | | DECserver MP2111 | | Port PORT_4 | | Port PORT_4 | +--------+-----------+ +---------+----------+ | Ethernet | <---------+-------------------+------------------------------+--------------> | +---------+----------+ | DECserver MP2111 | | +----Ports----+ | | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 | +--------+-----------+ | +---------+ | RS232 | | +-------------------+ LN03 | | Printer | +---------+ Some points: - Queues can have different names on different VAXes. - All queues point to same DECserver name and port. - DECserver queues requests from two or more VAXes. ›82;161s›3d Page 4 Standard DECserver Queue Setup Setup the DECserver port using one of the following: · Logging on to another port on the DECserver · Using NCP> CONNECT NODE . . . · Using Terminal Server Manager Issue following commands: Local> SET PRIVILEGE Password> Local> DEFINE PORT 4 ACCESS REMOTE Local> DEFINE PORT 4 AUTOBAUD DISABLED Local> DEFINE PORT 4 SPEED 9600 Local> DEFINE PORT 4 PREFERRED SERVICE NONE Local> DEFINE PORT 4 DEDICATED SERVICE NONE Local> DEFINE PORT 4 TYPE HARDCOPY etc. ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 5 Standard DECserver queue setup Create a LAT port (called LTA1:) on the VAX: $ RUN SYS$SYSTEM:LATCP LCP> CREATE PORT LTA1: /APPLICATION LCP> SET PORT LTA1: /NODE=MP2111 /PORT=PORT_4 Setup the port: $ SET TERMINAL LTA1: /WIDTH=255 /NOBROADCAST $ SET DEVICE/SPOOL=(LASER,SYS$SYSDEVICE:) LTA1: Initialize and start the queue: $ INITIALIZE /QUEUE /START /ON=LTA1: LASER - /PROCESSOR=LATSYM /RETAIN=ERROR - /SEPARATE=RESET=LN03_RESET Now you can use either: $ PRINT/QUEUE=LASER MYFILE.TXT or: $ COPY MYFILE.TXT LTA1: Handy from within application that does not support access to printer queues. ›82;161s›3d Page 6 Where are the problem areas? Manageable for a small number of queues. Lots of stuff to remember to do. How do you manage a hundred or more queues? How do you handle security? - ACLs, UIC protection, etc. What happens when you change an LTA port number? How do your users associate LTA number with its queue? How do you clearly document everything? - LTA ports are usually defined in one place - Queues are defined in another How do you make maintainable changes when - Printers get moved. - A DECserver port fails and another is substituted. - Several 8-line DECservers get replaced by one DECserver 500. ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 7 Our Solution Leave the DECserver port definition as a one-time action. - Handled by network support group. - DECserver not necessarily under our control Create a definition file that describes the queue: - Queue name - DECserver details - Queue details Create a command procedure to process the definition file and create the ports and queues as needed. Use logical names for the LTA ports to isolate the users from the LTA numbers. For example: $ DEFINE/SYSTEM QUEUE$LASER LTA1: ›82;161s›3d Page 8 Our Solution New method of defining the queue: DEFINE QUEUE LASER DECSERVER = MP2111 PORT = 4 TYPE = LN03 DEVICE = SYS$SYSDEVICE DESCRIPTION = LN03 on third floor END This text is placed into a printer definitions file. - File's default name is LAT_PRINTERS.DEF Then, we execute the following command procedure SYS$MANAGER:SETUP_LAT_DEVICES.COM - Handles all aspects of the queue's creation - Handles all aspects of port creation and setup - Handles all security issues - Creates system logical names as needed ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 9 Setting up a Queue SETUP_LAT_DEVICES performs the following actions: - Parses the definition file - Locates an unused LTA port number · Starts looking at LTA9999: · Works backward until F$GETDVI indicates device does not exist - Defines a queue-specific system logical name for the LTA port. $ DEFINE/SYSTEM QUEUE$LASER LTA9990: · All references use this logical - Creates the port using the logical name · Uses DECserver name and port from definition - Sets up the terminal device using the logical name · Settings based on printer type ›82;161s›3d Page 10 Setting up a Queue - Sets the device as spooled - Initializes and starts the queue · Uses specific reset module for each printer · Uses nodename in /ON= if needed · Uses logical name in /ON= · Assigns security as specified: /OWNER /PROTECTION /ACL ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 11 Complete Syntax of Queue Definition DEFINE QUEUE queue-name ALIAS = alternate queue-name DECSERVER = DECserver-name PORT = DECserver port-name TYPE = printer-type DESCRIPTION = description of queue DEVICE = intermediate spooling device FORM = default form OWNER = [UIC] ACE = Access control entry · · · PROTECTION = S,O,G,W protection code OPTIONS = any qualifiers for INIT/QUEUE which are not already specified DISPLAY = any text to display END ›82;161s›3d Page 12 Additional Features Added ability to define reverse-LAT ports. - Used for network services like · Dialout modems · non-LAT host access - Creates system logical name pointing to the port for ease of use for users ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 13 Complete Syntax of PORT Definition DEFINE LATPORT port-name DECSERVER = DECserver-name PORT = DECserver port-name SERVICE = service-name TYPE = printer-type OWNER = [UIC] ACE = Access control entry · · · PROTECTION = S,O,G,W protection code OPTIONS = any qualifiers for SET DEVICE which are not already specified DISPLAY = any text to display END Can specify either DECserver and PORT, or SERVICE. ›82;161s›3d Page 14 Additional Features Added VERIFY capability to SETUP_LAT_DEVICES.COM - When moves happen, the operations staff: · Edits definition file · Invokes VERIFY - Matches definition file against running system - Verifies LATport is properly defined - When difference found, fixes it: · Stops the queue · Sets device to NOSPOOL · Changes LTA definition · Sets device SPOOLed · Restarts queue ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 15 Additional Features Added SYSTARTUP option to SETUP_LAT_DEVICES - Assumes it is being run at system startup - Starts at LTA9999 - Does no checking for LTA number already in use - Faster system startup Added DEBUG option to SETUP_LAT_DEVICES - Displays actions being taken - Occasionally needed ›82;161s›3d Page 16 Additional Features Handles multiple copies of LATSYM.EXE - LATSYM seems to have problems handling more than twelve queues. - One workaround is to create multiple copies of LATSYM.EXE. - Command file ensures LATSYM0.EXE through LATSYM9.EXE exist. - If LATSYM.EXE has changed, creates new copies automatically. - Uses /PROCESSOR to segregate queues ›0;50;100;7350;5!|›0;50;5750;7350;5!|›1;50;100;5750;5!|›1;3700;100;5750;5!|›1;7400;100;5750;5!|›2;81s›3d Page 17 Future Plans Put queue and port definitions into a database. Add 'compile' option - Creates a command file with all commands needed - Would speed up system startup Integrate Terminal Server Manager into VERIFY - Check actual DECserver name and port name on the DECserver - Check DECserver port settings for common errors - AUTOBAUD - Not set to REMOTE or DYNAMIC - DEDICATED or PREFERRED SERVICE - Display speed settings ›82;161s›3d Page 18 Benefits Much easier management of LAT devices. Queues and LAT-ports are now defined in one place. Changes are easily done. Problems are more easily resolved. Users see consistent system: - They only see the logical names - Port names stay the same - Port names are easily associated with queues Response-time to problems is shortened. Users are happier.