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Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN Device Description

Troubleshooting


Problem

This document provides information about using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN printer device description, including those using PJL, SNMP, Lexlink, and the LPR Print Driver Exit Program (TSPLPRD).

Resolving The Problem

This document provides information about using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN device description, including *LAN 3812 PJL device descriptions, *LAN 3812 SNMP device descriptions, *LAN 3812 IPP device descriptions, *LAN 3812 Lexlink device descriptions, and *LAN 3812 device descriptions that use the TSPLPRD print driver exit program. For instructions on using Host Print Transform (HPT) with other types of device descriptions or Remote Output Queues (RMTOUTQs), refer to one of the following documents:

N1019713: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ)
N1019712: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LCL or *RMT Device Description
N1019470: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a PC5250 Printer Session
N1019670: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a Third Party Emulation Package

This document was last updated on 9 April 2014.


General Information About Host Print Transform (HPT)

ASCII printers can be attached to the IBM System i system through a PC (using WSF, RUMBA/400, PC5250, or a third-party emulation package) or through hardware (for example, a 3179 or 3477 display, an ASCII Workstation Controller, a Lexmark MarkNet XLE, or an HP JetDirect card).

Host Print Transform is an operating system function that converts an operating system spooled file (in the *SCS or *AFPDS data stream) into an ASCII printer data stream. This can be used in conjunction with most printer emulation software and hardware. One of its benefits is that it can create the same look and feel when printing through variety of printer emulation software and hardware. For example, if you have printers connected to PCs running work station function under Client Access for DOS with Extended memory, RUMBA/400 under Client Access for Windows 3.1, PC5250 under Client Access for Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows NT, and others connected to the LAN with an IP address, use Host Print Transform with all of these. The output looks very similar across all the ASCII printers.

Some printer emulation software (such as work station function and PC5250) require that Host Print Transform (HPT) be specified in the printer session profile. When the printer session connects to the iSeries family system, the emulation software automatically changes the operating system printer device description to reflect the settings made in the printer session profile.

Other printer emulation software (for example, RUMBA/400), and all non-PC hardware connections require that the operating system printer device description be changed manually.

Notes:

1.If the printer emulation software used requires that the printer session profile be changed but the operating system printer device description is changed, the changes are automatically removed the next time you connect the printer session.
2.Not all printers are supported with Host Print Transform. This includes all PostScript-only printers and any host-based or Windows-only printers such as the HP DeskJet 820 Series printers, the Lexmark 2070 printer or the Lexmark WinWriter 150 printer. If operating system spooled files do not print through the *LAN 3812 device description, verify that the printer and the application support using HPT. One place to start looking is in the following document:

N1019605: Information on Printers from Various Manufacturers

Using a Modified Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST) with Host Print Transform

Host Print Transform provides a way to change the way it converts AS/400 spooled files into the ASCII printer data stream. This is done by retrieving a workstation customization table, editing the source file member, creating a new workstation customizing object and then using that modified workstation customizing object (WSCST) with your operating system printer device description.

Using modified workstation customizing object with Host Print Transform allows you change the following:
oPrint 198-character spooled files on a letter sized (8.5" x 11.0") sheet of paper in Landscape
oForce all output to print in draft quality for dot matrix line printers
oPrint 132-character spooled files on a letter sized (8.5" x 11.0") sheet of paper in Portrait
oForce all output to print from drawer 2 on a laser printer
Instructions for Using Host Print Transform with a *LAN Device Description

This document explains how to manually change a *LAN printer device description to use Host Print Transform. These instructions also include the steps needed to use a modified workstation customizing object (WSCST) with Host Print Transform.
1.From the operating system command line, type the following:

WRKWTR WTR(*PRT) ASTLVL(*INTERMED)

Press the Enter key. From the Work with All Printers panel, scroll down the list of printers until you find the name of the *LAN device description that you wish to change.
2.If the status of the printer writer is not END, type Option 4 (End) next to the name of the *LAN device description, and press F4. Position to the When to end writer (OPTION) parameter, type *IMMED, and press the Enter key.
3.From the operating system command line, type the following:

WRKCFGSTS *DEV printer-devd

Press the Enter key.
4.From the Work with Configuration Status panel, verify that the printer device description is in VARY ON PENDING status (the screen may need to be refreshed a few times by pressing F5). Vary off the printer device by typing 2 next to the printer device description name. Press the Enter key.
5.Verify that the printer is now in VARIED OFF status (you may need to refresh the screen a few times by pressing the F5 key). Work with the printer device by typing 8 next to the printer device description name. Press the Enter key.
6.From the Work with Device Descriptions panel, change the printer device by typing 2 next to the printer device description name. Press the Enter key. Position down to the Host print transform parameter, and type *YES.
7.Position to the Manufacturer type and model parameter, and press F4 to display a list of possible values. Choose a value that either corresponds to your type of printer, or choose a value for a type of printer that your printer emulates.

For example, if you have an HP LaserJet 4 printer or a printer that is compatible with the HP LaserJet 4, type HP4. If you have an HP LaserJet 5 or 5si printer you may be able to type in *HP5 or *HP5SI, depending on the operating system release.
8.Position to the Paper source 1 parameter, and press F4 to display a list of possible values. Choose a value that corresponds to the type of paper loaded in your printer. Possible choices include *LETTER (8.5 x 11 inches), *LEGAL (8.5 x 14 inches), *A4 (210mm x 297mm), *CONT80 (continuous form 8.0 inches) and *CONT132 (continuous form 13.2 inches).
9.Position to the Paper source 2 parameter. If your printer has a second drawer, press F4 to display a list of possible values, and choose a value that corresponds to the type of paper loaded in your printer. If your printer does not have a second drawer, set the parameter value to *NONE.
10.Position to the Envelope source parameter. If your printer has an envelope feeder, press F4 to display a list of possible values and choose a value that corresponds to the type of paper loaded in your printer. Possible choices include *NUMBER9 (3.875 x 8.875 inches), *NUMBER10 (4.125 x 9.5 inches) and *B5 (176mm x 250mm). If your printer does not have an envelope feeder, set the parameter value to *NONE.
11.Position to the ASCII code page 899 support parameter (you will probably need to press the roll down key to get to all of these options). If your printer supports ASCII code page 899 used for IBM® OfficeVision®/400™ (OV/400) symbols, set the parameter value to *YES. If your printer does not support ASCII code page 899 or you do not use OV/400 then set the parameter value to *NO.
12.If a modified workstation customizing object (WSCST) must be used with this printer device description, press F10 and position to the Workstation customizing object parameter. Type the name of your modified WSCST and the name of the library containing your modified WSCST.
13.Press the Enter key to change the operating system printer device description.
14.Press F12 to exit the Work with Device Descriptions panel.
15.From the operating system command line, type the following:

WRKWTR WTR(*PRT) ASTLVL(*INTERMED)

From the Work with All Printers panel, scroll down the list of printers until you find the name of the *LAN device description that you just changed.
16.Type Option 1 (Start) next to the name of the *LAN device description, and press the Enter key.

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Historical Number

7532429

Document Information

Modified date:
18 December 2019

UID

nas8N1010288