Print Queue vs Server Queue

[Manny DeAssis]

Can anyone explain at a high level what is the difference between a VMS print queue (with /PROCESSOR=TCPIP$TELNETSYM) and a VMS server queue (with /PROCESSOR=TCPIP$LPD_SMB). Also distinguish when one is better suited than the other.

[Hoff · Accepted solution]

Are you asking for the difference between printing via telnet and printing via LPR/LPD, or the difference between a printer queue and a server queue?

If the former, it generally doesn't matter in any recent environments; the usual reason to choose involve things like firewall blocks or bugs in the particular target telnet server or lpd server in the printer (or similar bugs in the client).

If the latter, there's little practical difference between a printer queue and a server queue; they both have symbionts that process files arriving via the queue system. What the particular symbiont does varies. If you're interested in this sort of thing, see the EXECSYMB tool on the OpenVMS Freeware.

Regardless, do ensure your TCP/IP Services installation and your OpenVMS installation are current and have current patches loaded, too.

[Manny DeAssis]

This is what I wanted to hear for this is what I suspected. Thanks for your response.

Thanks for that bit of information. I will re-open this thread. (10 points for you too).

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Hoff got 10 points for his answer, but I need to add some information.

The difference is rather huge between the TELNETsymbiont and LPR/LPD-symbiont.

The TELNETsym is just a client symbiont.
It can only send data to a port on a specific host ( printer ). The queue-configuration is set directly on the queue.

LPR/LPD is a client/server symbiont.
You target printqueues on other hosts and can serve your local printerqueues to other hosts that also use LPR/LPD. The queue-configuration is stored in a file called "printcap".

A SystemManager needs to know the differences, when setting up and managing the queues.

Hakan
AKA "The Diplomead Printerguru"
hakan(dot)zanderau(at)ha-solutions(dot)se

[Manny DeAssis]

Thank you Hakan. If I could I would award you ten points as well.

[Hakan Zanderau ( Anders]

Don't hesitate to send me a mail if you need help regarding printconfigurations & printproblems.

Hakan

[Jan van den Ende]

Manny,

>>>
Thank you Hakan. If I could I would award you ten points as well.
<<<

You can.

Use the re-open button.

Proost.

Have one on me.

jpe

[Manny DeAssis]

Thanks again guys for your feedback on this.