ES47 interface for IBM RS6262 HS Line Printer?

[Rich Hearn]

Hi Folks,

Does any one know if there is, or what interface to use, to enable an ES47 to use an IBM RS6262 Line Printer?

Thanks,
Rich

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Rich,

I assume you want to use an OpenVMS queue to print to the requested printer, right ?

I don't know much about the requested model...

Is there a communication-device ( NIC ) in the printer ? If yes, what protocols are supported ? ( LPD ? )

What languages are supported in the printer ?
( ASCII, ANSI, Proprinter )

A pointer to the printerspecs could be useful.

Hakan Zanderau

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

How is the printer used today ??

Hakan

[Rich Hearn]

Hakan,

Thank you for your response. I'll answer your 2nd question 1st. The printer is currently in use by an IBM server (s90?) that will be shut down in the next 6 months.

My ES47 sends ASCII files to the IBM server that then sends it to the RS6262 printer. With The IBM box "gone", I was hoping we could continue to use the printer using the ES47, but I've just found out, as I write this, that software would be needed on the ES47 for it to work.

I'd have to say my question is probably moot unless the hardware interface has the appropriate software to go with it.

Thanks,
Rich

[Duncan Morris]

Rich,

do you have the full model number....

see

http://www.lordsnet.com/vendors/IBM/Printers/IBM_6262_Line_Printer.html

The model number of the IBM 6262 printers is a 3-digit model designation. Here is a quick reference of the model designation:

1st digit designation:

Axx - PC Parallel/Serial Interface
Dxx - 3270 Coax Interface
Pxx - DataProducts parallel Interface
Txx - 5250 Twinax Interface
Oxx - 370 channel Interface (byte-multiplexer, block multiplexor)
2nd & 3rd digit designation:

x12 - 1200 Line per Minute (LPM)
x14 - 1400 Line per Minute (LPM)
x22 - 2200 Line per Minute (LPM)

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

How is the printer "physically attach" to the IBM today ?

Hakan

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Is the IBM-box the only one sending data directly to the printer ?

Sometimes a PC could act as printserver to printers not supported by VMS.

Hakan

[Hoff]

You likely need the IBM 6262 A12, A14 or A22 series interface here or analogous, or a model conversion to same, or an ACC-6XE series converter-adapter or analogous. The channel interfaces are unlikely to get you anywhere.

The other part of this involves retargeting the current OpenVMS host print queues or the spooled device, and that depends on what configuration you end up with.

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Rich,

Moving the printouts from the LinePrinter to a LaserPrinter, is not an option ??

Hakan

[Rich Hearn]

Whew!

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'll start with Duncans...

It's an IBM RS6262 O22 thankls for the Lords page pointer - I had seen it, but your response is concise.

For Hakan's question of "how is the printer physically attached?", it's direct to the IBM S90 using the 370 Channel interface.

The idea of a PC interface would probably not work since (correct me if I've got this wrong) the printer was originally set up for the 370 Channel interface.

Regarding who's sending data to the printer, Yes, the IBM is the only system "sending data" to this printer. My ES47's currently send my systems ASCII printouts to the IBM so I can "print" to the RS6262.

Hoff, I suspect you're right-on with that line of thought. The ES47's currently spool to the IBM system - treating it as a queue so it's not difficult to make those changes.

Hakan, I've been told that the laser printer idea doesn't work because we need tractor-feed paper for these reports.

I suspect that I'll wind up looking to purchase a newer version of the "LP04" (only one I remember from my old DEC days) 2200 lpm/dual tractor-feed/networked (if possible)

[Hoff · Accepted solution]

Assuming you don't go for the model conversion or for the retrofit NIC...

The classic band printers are still around but are increasingly specialized (read: costly).

You'll want a network interface. Avoid acquiring a new printer with a serial or a parallel interface. A printer with a NIC is easier to manage, easier to install, and it's platform independent. The cost savings of the non-NIC interface are very quickly exceeded during the installation and operation, in my experience.

There are tractor-feed laser printers. MicroPlex has various models, and I expect there are other vendors.

As for classic band printers and line matrix printers, Dataproducts (now a division at Ricoh) and Printronix are vendors in this market. I am not aware of an HP printer in this market, though HP does have a few "weird" printers.

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Rich,

Do you have DCPS installed ?..... and a Duplex Printer ?

The demand for striped, chained and tractorfeed paper could just be an old habit.

A listfile printed using DCPS with parameter landscape and duplex will look just like a tractorfed list ( DCPS will do the striping ).

Could be worth trying.......

Hakan

[Rich Hearn]

Hoff,

Thanks for the great ideas for some web searches. I'm looking to head in the NIC direction for just the reason you've cited.
Thanks again for voicing your ideas.

Hakan,

I don't have DCPS installed - I need to go check our contract and see how much it'll cost to use. I'm assuming we nevered ordered it, since we've never installed it.

I follow your thoughts on the old-habit, but have to make sure I don't "break" any manual processes by trying to switch (acc'ting tends to be set in their ways).


Thank you both for your time & thoughts,
Rich

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Rich,

You don't need a special license for DCPS any more.....so NO extra cost ;-)

Hakan

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

and.....if you need help with DCPS, just send me a mail. I have worked/supported DCPS since the beginning.

Hakan

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

and.... installing DCPS will not break anything. It's just another printsymbiont.
( DCPS$SMB.EXE )

/Hakan

[Rich Hearn]

Hakan,

Thank you for the information. I'll have to get my distribution out and check it out - I know it allows working with INFOPRINT printers, so it'll open up some options for printer types.

I will take you up on the offer for help if I run into trouble.

Thanks again!
Rich

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Rich,

Just one more thing about DCPS so you don't start in the wrong end...

DCPS takes almost any input and converts it to PostScript. You need a PS-printer at the end.

Hakan

[Rich Hearn]

Hakan,

Thank you for the warning - it's important to know that it expects a PostScript printer for the output (granted, the prod name *is* DCPS, but nothing says it's the *only* output it generates).

Thanks again,
Rich

[Rich Hearn]

As an FYI:

Looking at possible alternatives, I've found the TallyGenicom T6218 (1800 lpm) and the IBM 6500 (1800 lpm) both using an optional wireless setup.

You can print ASCII to both without any special software required. That let's me print .txt files from Cache - works in my case.

Thanks to everyone for all your thoughts,
Rich