Decserver - How to check via CLI the printer connection status?

[IFX_1]

Hi All,
I have some problem with my DECSERVER printer. When I submit a print job to the DECSERVER printer queue, there is nothing printed. I do a "local> test port 4 " (note: the printer is connected in port#4 ) but no test print came out.
The problem is, the printer is offsite thus we can not check physically. Is there a way to check the physical connection via CLI if the printer connection to DECSERVER is available?
Below is the test print, I did earlier.

regards,
ronald


Local> sh port 4 counter


Port 4: Server: DS90M

Seconds Since Zeroed: 234008 Local Accesses: 0
Framing Errors: 0 Remote Accesses: 10
Parity Errors: 0 Input Characters: 0
Overrun Errors: 0 Output Characters: 216805


Local> test port 4
Local>
Local> show port 4 counter


Port 4: Server: DS90M

Seconds Since Zeroed: 234033 Local Accesses: 0
Framing Errors: 0 Remote Accesses: 10
Parity Errors: 0 Input Characters: 0
Overrun Errors: 0 Output Characters: 218691


Local>

[Volker Halle]

Ronald,

try Local> SHOW PORT 4 STATUS

It should show the input and output signals of the serial connection to the printer. You may also be able to configure the port to watch the DSR or carrier signal of the printer connection. That should be able to detect, if the printer is just turned off.

Volker.

[Andreas Vollmer]

Hello Ronald,

If possible connect an old VT Terminal to the printer port 4.
The communication must be adjusted on the VT to match the settings of the DECserver port 4.
Then you should see on the screen what is printed out on the port 4.

Regards
Andreas

[Hoff]

I'd be tempted to enable modem control signals here; you want to know if the printer is present and powered up, and that's the usual approach. You're basically going to want to use the DSR stuff mentioned earlier; you'll need to wire the printer with a few extra wires.

If only the transmit and receive signals are wired, the DECserver has no way of knowing that the serial connection has dropped or if the printer is powered up.

And FWIW, the default DECconnect signaling does not provide modem control. (I've often been using a different wiring scheme that generally allows decent device status and control with four, five or six wires, depending on requirements. Easy to solder, if required, too.)

Stephen Hoffman
HoffmanLabs LLC

[IFX_1]

I dropped the old printer and migrated to TCPIP printing using a new printer model.

Thanks for all the reply.

regards,
ronald