The Spooler is a special process that manages access to printers by multiple users. For most users, the function of the Spooler is transparent. They generate a job for a printer and go to the printer to pick up the output. The Spooler permits users to continue working without waiting for a print job to finish printing.
This section introduces how the Spooler works and the commands used to modify its operation. The main focus is on the Spooler-related tasks that can be performed from user accounts, such as changing the default printer assignment, cancelling a job, and capturing output in Spooler hold files.
The Spooler has two roles:
It spools print jobs by directing the output from a user's process to a print file. It creates an entry in the print queue for the job.
It despools print jobs by emptying the print queue, one job at a time per printer, as the assigned printer becomes available.
Operational Spooler parameters include the following:
Up to 600 print files can be maintained on the queue.
60 files can be generated simultaneously per user process.
Up to 1500 form queues can be assigned across the system.
125 copies can be generated by a single print request.
Up to 1000 printers are supported.
The following topics are discussed in this section:
Basic Operation of the Spooler
See Also
Configuring and Using mvBase Printers
Installing mvBase Printer Drivers
Using Printer and Spooler Status Reports