re: Image Utility Program Devices

[Eugene Klaus]

Has anyone successfully dealt with the installation and configuring of the new HP line of laserjet devices known as Image Utility Program Devices or IUP.
Namely I am concerned with the correct UNIX configurations and interfaces used for UNIX application printing.
Simple ascii output to the printers functions normally, however, those application which have imbedded printer control commands fail to print correctly.
HELP!!!

[Bill Hassell · Accepted solution]

HP-UX uses SysV printing which is based on small minicomputers from decades ago. In other words, HP-UX provides no special features for printers at all. Instead, printer scripts are used to provide some basic printer controls like duplex or landscape, etc.

It's really important to check applications for compatibility. Unlike Windows where programs communicate in a printer meta-language and the driver then formats the job according to the printer's capability, HP-UX provides nothing. So your program must have been written (or updated) to support these new printers. It's been my experience that programs that have imbedded control codes only work with very old printers.

I did lookup IUP devices but HP's website has nothing. Do you have a model number?

[Eugene Klaus]

Hi Bill,

Yes, 4250tn, 5500dn, 4350, 9050mfp are the various models. I am most interested in the
4250tn and the 4350 as these are set to be accessed by the HPUX software.
I have been all over the documentation and as you pointed out there is little to be found.
We were told that it would be the same as a laserjet 5si but the interface scripts do not satisfy the needs for these printers, i.e., the print requests work fine on the 5si
but even with the same interface script the y fail on the 4250tn.

[Bill Hassell]

It looks like the application program is producing PCL codes that are incompatible with the new printers. HP LaserJets are targeted to WIndows environments where a true driver does all the correct code conversion. While basic PCL codes are backward compatible, it appears that these new printers will require a re-write of the apps. Although the printer scripts are lengthy, there is no code inside the scripts that filters or translates PCL codes inside the print job. You'll have to contact the application vendor to get the new printers supported.

[Eugene Klaus]

Bill,

Thanks for the information.
Not a pleasant thought but an alternative.

[Eugene Klaus]

Closing