Configuring and Using mvBase Printers

mvBase can use six types of printers which can be divided into two definitive groups:

Group 1: Windows Printers

Windows printers are available to multiple Windows applications, including mvBase. Windows printers include:

Local Printers: Printer is local to the system, even if it is subsequently shared to other users across the network.
Shared Network Printers: Printer is setup remotely and shared across the network.
mvTerm Auxiliary Printer: An mvTerm session may be defined to function as an auxiliary printer connection using a printer previously configured in Windows to that client system.

Group 2: MultiValue Printers

MultiValue printers are available to MultiValue applications (mvBase) exclusively. MultiValue printers include:
COM Port Printers: Printer attaches to a COM port on the mvBase Workstation.
TCP Port Printers: The system to which the printer is attached (via any type of port) connects to the network via a Telnet (TCP/IP) port.
AUX-ON Auxiliary Printers: A printer that connects to a terminal’s AUX port may be defined for use with mvBase using the AUX-ON TCL command.

This section describes these printer types, and contains procedures for configuring, using and troubleshooting printers and the print Spooler. This section contains the following major topics:

Setting Up mvBase Printers	Contains an overview of Windows and MultiValue printers, and assists you in identifying your desired printer configuration. This section then contains procedures for configuring multiple types of mvBase printers.
Installing mvBase Printer Drivers	Describes the role of printer drivers and the function of the raw printer client (which bypasses the mvBase printer driver).
Using mvBase Printers	Contains several procedures for using mvBase printers once they have been set up.
Understanding the Print Spooler	Describes the role of the print Spooler in relation to mvBase printers.
Using the Print Spooler	Describes the use of the print Spooler.
Using Printer and Spooler Status Reports	Describes the status reports that are available to you within the MultiValue environment.
Summary of Printer and Spooler Commands	Summarizes those commands related to printer and Spooler operation. For complete information about these commands, see the Guide to mvBase Files and Accounts.
Troubleshooting mvBase Printers and the Spooler	Describes strategies to use when troubleshooting mvBase printers.

NOTE	mvBase has added several printer-related features since its first release. Some features may not be available in your Release of mvBase. For a complete listing of printer features and their associated releases, see Summary of Release-Specific mvBase Printer Features.

IMPORTANT

The differences between printer clients pertain primarily to setup and troubleshooting. Once the printers are fully operational in the MultiValue environment, printer and Spooler behavior in mvBase is similar across all printer clients (e.g., you use the same TCL commands to control and administrate the printers of all types).

Summary of Release-Specific mvBase Printer Features

Several printer-related features have been added to mvBase since its first release. The availability of these features depends upon your specific release of mvBase. This list describes the features that are not available in all releases of mvBase, and the releases with which these features were introduced. This list is organized in chronological fashion, not alphabetically.

Feature	Description
Printer Drivers	The mvBase printer drivers support more forms with larger page sizes. Enhanced printer drivers allow you to print lines with more than 132 characters from mvBase. Drivers are posted on the Rocket Web site and are added to the mvBase CD-ROM. NOTE— The Auxiliary Printer feature makes the mvBase printer drivers largely obsolete, and the drivers may not be contained on the CD-ROM for your later release of mvBase.
Serial Printer Option for COM Ports	The mvBase Workstation may configure a local COM port as a serial printer connection and make that printer available to mvBase clients. The COM port is configured via the Ports tab, accessed via the Workstation tab of the Administration Utility.
Serial Printer Option for TCP Ports	mvTelnet features a Serial Printer option. This option allows the associated Telnet port (TCP Port Number) to be identified as a serial printer connection. The TCP port is configured via the Telnet Servers tab, accessed via the Workstation tab of the Administration Utility.
Raw Printer Client	The raw printer client removes the necessity to use the generic/text-only mvBase printer driver. When the Raw mode switch is activated, output to the (Windows) printer client from an mvBase serial printer process is sent directly to the connected printer, bypassing the mvBase printer driver (if installed). The raw printer client resolves several issues reported by customers, including: ESCAPE sequences not being recognized Continuous forms not being supported (printing from mvBASIC with no explicit pagination) ACCUPLOT output failing to print correctly Graphical output to printers failing to print correctly Oversized data being truncated The mvTerm Auxiliary Printer is configured in the raw printer mode by default. The COM port and TCP port printers may be configured to operate in the raw mode.
Auxiliary Printer	The Auxiliary Printer feature of the mvTerm client allows any mvBase user to connect to any printer that is already defined in Windows. Thus, it provides the advantage of adding a printer without having to go through the mvBase Workstation. Each mvTerm instance may contain five sessions, and each session may be connected to a different printer. The Auxiliary Printer is configured to operate in the raw printer mode by default. (See above.)
Custom-Defined Printer Names in the Printer Tab	The printers configured for use with mvBase display in the Configured Printers field of the Printers tab (Administration Utility). Printer names in this field have followed a generic naming convention (Printer001, Printer002, and so forth). Printer names in this field may be defined with custom alphanumeric printer names that allow the administrator to be more specific (such as citing the name of the printer system and type, as with the printer name UK Server HP LaserJet III).
Extended Printer Name Length for Windows Printers	mvBase recognizes Windows printer names up to 50 characters long.