Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!know!sdd.hp.com!caen!acc!jal
From: jal@acc (John Lauro)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apollo
Subject: Re: sharing printer between pc and apollo
Message-ID: <1990Oct10.200547.22735@caen.engin.umich.edu>
Date: 10 Oct 90 20:05:47 GMT
References: <1990Oct10.180603.22622@ecf.utoronto.ca>
Sender: news@caen.engin.umich.edu (CAEN Netnews)
Organization: The University of Michigan - Flint
Lines: 47

In article <1990Oct10.180603.22622@ecf.utoronto.ca> apollo@mv04.ecf (Vince Pugliese) writes:
>
>
>
>we are currently printing out postscript files, generated on
>a PC, in the following manner:
>
>the application program on the PC is instructed to write the
>postscript output to a file. once the file is generated, the user
>logons to one of our apollos and transfers the file. the file 
>is then printed out using the apollo prf command.
>
>what we were wondering is if there was a way in which the printer
>can be shared in a more transparent manner. i have thought about
>switch boxes but that would mean having to physically throw a 
>toggle of some sort. besides, i have noticed erratic behaviour if the
>printer is brought down, i.e. switched out, that necessitates 
>restarting the print server.
>
>has anyone come up with a solution to this problem? has anyone
>used software selectable switch boxes? 
>any and all suggestions welcome

There is a version of lpr for PC available which would be a step
in the right direction.  But that does not allow complete transparent
printing...

>
>thanks
>.vp

We have a similar problem, except most of our printers for the
PCs are on Novell servers, and we want the Apollo stations to
access them.

I will be working on a package that will work with existing
Apollo print drivers and server, and route the prints to a
Novell queue using a dedicated pc (running TCP/IP).  (One PC
should be able to handle multiple Novell servers and printers.)  
If anyone has a better solution, please let me know.

Unless I find a better solution, I expect to have the software
ready for beta testing by the end of the year.  If anyone is
interested, let me know.  (Especially if anyone wants to help
on the Apollo side, which I have less experience.)

    - John_Lauro@ub.cc.umich.edu     jal@acc.flint.umich.edu