Install Epson printer

[Carlos Munoz Lopez]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to configure an Epson TM-U200PD printer on a HP900 server running HP-UX 11i that has a POS Connect-It Module: Ethernet III. I want to print information from my Unix server but I can't, and I want to know what I have to do to configure it as a network-based printer. Every time I tried to add it as network printer the only option SAM display is HP Printer connected to JetDirect Card, which the printer doesn't have. I checked Epson website for any driver that I may use, but I couldn't get any information. I would like some help on this. Thanks.

[Michael Schulte zur Sur]

Hi,

have you tried to configure it as remote printer?

greetings,

Michael

[Carlos Munoz Lopez]

Yes, I tried but it didn't work. I guess it's because this printer does not have a print server. This printer server could be a PC running rlpdaemon, but the problem is that this printer is not connected to any print server, it's just has a network interface.

[Michael Schulte zur Sur]

Hi,

have you verified, it is connected to the network? Does it anser to ftp/telnet?

greetings,

Michael

[Bill Hassell · Accepted solution]

The Connect-It module must have some sort of documentation. Without it, you'll have big problems using it with any computer. SAM uses the term "network printer" to mean: HP JetDirect only" and is not compatible with any other LAN card for a printer. The most common connection method used by non-HP interface cards (ie, JetDirect) is the RFC 1179 standard for remote printing. But you cannot use remote printing until you find the internal name of the printer. The RFC 1179 protocol requires that you send your data to a named printer in the adapter card. The name might be prn or lp or text or raw, etc but without the right name, remote printing simply fails.

So if you are sure that the card supports RFC 1129 remote printing and you have put the remote printer name into SAM's menu for remote printing, failure to print means that the card is basically useless. Get an HP JetDirect External box and connect it to the printer's parallel port.

[Carlos Munoz Lopez]

I was checking the technical information included with the printer and I didn't find anything related to RFC 1129, but doesn't this RFC have something to do with internet time synchronization???

[Bill Hassell]

RFC 1179 (not 1129) is the lpr standard. See http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc1179.html Unfortunately, most manufacturers provide very little documentation for LAN adapters, especially related to Unix (the world is PC-based after all). There are no drivers for printers, just local printer scripts. You'll have to contact Epson tech support to find out the internal printer name.

[V. Nyga]

Hi,

generally it's also possible to configure a printer without JetDirect, you should try it.
First you should check if you can telnet to the printer.
In SAM add a network-based printer.
Create a printer configuration and give it any LAN hardware address.
It will say that it's not a JetDirect hardware address but it will continue.
Also if SAM can't 'ping' the printer in its test you can send a file or any output of UX to the printer and see if it works.

Sometimes it works...

Good luck
Volkmar

[Carlos Munoz Lopez]

Thank you guys for your help. I will try to contact Epson tech support to see if the network interface is compatible with RFC 1179 and if they can give the internal name. I will also try your suggestion Nyga. Thank you.