Setting Up mvBase Printers on TCP Ports

This procedure configures a Telnet printer client to connect to mvBase via a Telnet connection/TCP port. The printer must already be connected to the network via a terminal server that uses the Telnet protocol.

In order to implement such a printer configuration, the setup follows this general sequence:

You connect the printer to its host system and get it to a fully operational state with respect to that local system.
The printer’s host system must be connected to the network using the Telnet TCP/IP protocol.
On the mvBase Workstation system, you use the Telnet Servers tab of the Administration Utility to define the Telnet connection as a serial printer connection.
The printer’s host system connects to the mvBase Workstation via a Telnet connection (TCP port).
The printer is available to mvBase users in the MultiValue environment as long as the Workstation is running and the printer has established the connection.

NOTE	This procedure sets up the TCP port printer to function in the raw mode automatically.

Perform these steps to define the Telnet connection as a printer connection. That connection is defined via an mvTelnet Server.

On the host system to which the printer connects, verify that the printer is fully operational. Follow manufacturer instructions for installation or troubleshooting if required.
Ensure that the printer’s host system has a valid (potential) connection to the network using the Telnet TCP/IP protocol.
On the mvBase Workstation system (the system to which the printer’s host system will connect via a Telnet connection), launch or switch to the Administration Utility.
Select the Workstation tab.
Select Configure. The Configuring Workstation dialog box displays.
Select the Telnet Servers tab. If your system has previously configured mvTelnet Servers, they display in the Configured Telnet Servers field.

If the Telnet Server to be associated with the serial printer has been configured previously, select that Telnet Server, then select Configure. If the Telnet Server to be associated with the serial printer has not been configured previously, select Add. The Telnet Servers dialog box displays with selection of Add or Configure.

Type the name of this mvTelnet Server in the mvBase Telnet Server tab.
Type the name of the mvBase Server in the mvBase Server Name field. This designates the computer name of the mvBase Server system associated with this client.
Select Serial Printer in the Options field. Selection of the Serial Printer option forces the Max Connections field to 1. Do not change this entry value.
In the TCP Port Number field, enter the TCP port number. The port number may be port 23, or any port between 1024 and 5000.

NOTE	Define TCP ports numbers from 2000 and above. This reduces the chance of TCP port conflicts from other Windows applications.

In the Starting mvBase line field, type the first (or only) mvBase line number. This field must be filled with a numeric value. Rocket generally recommends that printer(s) be allocated the highest line number(s) available to reduce potential conflict with line consumption by wildcard clients.
Select OK. The connection defined by this mvTelnet Server now functions with a serial printer on the other end of the connection (whenever the Workstation is started). If * or any non-numeric character was typed in the Max Connections field, a message displays advising you of required change in input for this field. This is a dedicated line pool that will only allow one connection.
Perform one or more of these tasks in this sequence to start the mvBase Workstation:

Ensure that the mvBase Server is already started.
Configure additional client connections in the mvBase Workstation (if necessary).
Start the mvBase Workstation once you have configured all client connections.

Log to the SYSPROG account and execute the STARTPTR command with desired parameters and options.

For information about troubleshooting this particular configuration, see Troubleshooting mvBase Printers.