Start  |  Queues |  Data Folders
Archive  |  Setup  |  Submit |  Associated Files
Other Add-ons  |  Related Batch Processes  |  Special Forms
I'm Stuck!        Full PDF Manual
Submit Methods
 Activity Monitor
 Network
 Named Pipe
 LPR Printer
 
Line Printers


FTSpooler supports the Line Printer (LP) protocol by acting as an LP Daemon (LPD). FTSpooler acts like a printer. The LP protocol is a special way of printing data across a TCP/IP network and is most commonly found on UNIX systems, although it is supported by all major network operating systems, including AS/400.

The LP protocol enables you to print a document located on one machine to a printer attached to another machine on the network (a network printer).

More information on Configuring Data Input of the Queue

More information on Line Printer Setup
Printing from Windows Applications


In Windows-based systems create an LPR printer port for Windows applications to be able to "print" jobs to an LP Server. These printers act as redirection tools so that applications can print to the FTSpooler queues. It will help to think of them as "Virtual" printers as they have no direct connection to a physical printer.

Before creating your LPR printers it is necessary to create the corresponding queues in FTSpooler. The name(s) of the FTSpooler queue(s) will be used when creating the LPR port.

More information on Creating a FTSpooler Queue

For Windows XP:

Ensure the following prerequisites are in place before you get started:

Configuration steps:

  • Select Printer and Fax from the Start  menu.
  • Click on Add a Printer in the left bar.

  • Click Next and choose Local Printer in the Add Printer Wizard. Do ensure the Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer box is not checked and click Next.

  • Select Create a new port and then choose LPR Port from the Type of port drop down menu.

  • In the Name or address of server providing LPD text box, enter the IP address of the machine on which FTSpooler is installed (e.g.192.168.0.1). In the Name of printer or print queue on that server text box, enter the queue name defined in FTSpooler. Click OK.

  • Choose the printer driver according to the final destination printer, and then click Next.

  • Enter the printer name in the Printer Name text box. We recommend clearly labelling this as a "virtual" FormTrap queue by using the following format: Q_location to a MAXIMUM of TWELVE characters. Click Next.

  • Select the Share as option and use the same printer name used in step above. Click Next.

  • In the Location and Comment window, enter related information and then click Next.

  • Select No on Print Test Page and click Next.
  • Click Finish button to complete the installation.

Setup process may alter for different operating system.
Top  
Printing from UNIX applications


These printers act as redirection tools so applications can print to the FTSpooler queues. Before creating your LPR printers create the corresponding queues in FTSpooler. The name(s) of the FTSpooler queue(s) are used when creating the LPR port.

More Information on Creating a FTSpooler Queue

The following table splits the different UNIX-based platforms on which FormTrap runs according to their basic printing subsystem. Use the table below as a reference guide when setting up Unix Systems for use with FormTrap.

System V BSD
SCO Open Server Linux
SCO Unix Ware FreeBSD (Linux Binary)
Sun Solaris HP/Compaq/DEC Tru64
HPUX

IBM AIX is a special case and does not fall under either category. Please contact us to configure FormTrap to run on IBM AIX.

For a System V UNIX print subsystem:

          Description of steps Commands
Define the print queue
  • Configure your PATH environment variable:
PATH=$PATH:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin
  • Shut down the print subsystem:
lpshut
  • Create the print queue:

This creates local print queue named ftqueue, headed for the remote print queue (rp=) ftqueue on the remote machine (rm=) nt_server.

 lpadmin -pftqueue -v/dev/null  -mrmodel -icmrcmodel           -osmrsmodel -ob3 -ormnt_server -orpftqueue

This should be typed as one long line.
  • Enable the new queue for use:
 enable ftqueue
accept ftqueue

Ensure that you are running the program /usr/bin/enable and not a shell builtin of the same name.
  • Bring the print subsystem back up:
 lpsched
  • To view and check the configuration and status of this queue:
 lpstat -pftqueue
Print to this Queue
  • To print to this queue use the command:
 lp -dftqueue myfile

For a BSD UNIX print subsystem:

          Description of steps Commands
Define the print queue
  • Define a print queue headed to the remote lpr print queue created by FTSpooler Printers are defined in the file /etc/printcap. Different X-Windows systems will provide programs to interface to the printcap file for ease of editing. These instructions assume that file is edited using a simple command line editor such as pico or vi. Insert the command in the right column into the print cap file:

    This creates a local print queue named ftqueue, headed for the remote print queue (rp=) ftqueue on the remote machine (rm=) nt_server.

    The path /var/spool/lpd/ftqueue on the right may be incorrect depending on the system settings. Copy the path from another entry if possible, or see man lpr, which should tell you your UNIX normal path. You may also need to manually create the directory /var/spool/lpd/ftqueue. Use existing entries as a guide.

ftqueue:\

:sd=/var/spool/lpd/ftqueue:\

:mx#0:\

:sh:\

:rm=nt_server:\

:rp=ftqueue:
Print to this Queue
  • To print to this queue use the command:

 lp -p -lmyfile
Top  

Configuring Printers in your Application

Once you have created the LPR printers you must then create printers in your application to directly output data to these "virtual printers".

To configure the printer in your application:

  • In the printer setup of your program, create new printers to direct output to FormTrap. These should have a meaningful name, or use the same name as the "virtual" printer defined above.
    More information on Printing from Windows Applications

  • For each printer, the device path settings must point to the appropriate LPR printer just created.

Top  
Instructing on how to step up the LPR port in your PC


For Windows XP:

  • Go to Start menu - Control Panel, choose Add or Remove Programs.

  • Choose Add/Remove Windows Components and the Windows Components Wizard pops up. Check Other Network File and Print Services option if not selected, then press the Details button.


  • There will be a list of available subcomponents of Other Network File and Print Services in your PC, choose the one called Print Services for Unix. Then click OK.


  • Click Next in the Windows Components Wizard Screen to finish installation.
Top