We operate a central AS/400 with many remote access location on a
Cisco-based WAN. Until last year, we operated on a token ring
environment i.e. token ring cards on AS/400, leased lines to depots,
5494 IBM token ring remote controllers, 4247 IBM token ring twin-ax
matrix printers. IPDS functionality is used to print barcodes etc. on
remote printers from the central AS/400.

We have now moved to an Ethernet environment and use : ethernet cards
in AS/400 on the LAN, and LAN-RPC (from IO Corp.) boxes attached to
each printer to emulate an ethernet controller at the depots. The
printers attached via twin-ax as previously. This works but is
regularly unreliable losing connection to AS/400 etc.

We are looking for a permanent solution (ideally IBM end-to-end) to
get IPDS printing via Ethernet and AS/400 environment. We are happy to
replace 4247 printers if needs be (the 4247 Model 01's we use can only
support token ring/twin-ax and cannot be upgraded to ethernet
connectivity; there is a 4247 Model 03 which is ethernet capable) and
eliminate the LAN-RPC boxes if required.

Having had numerous discussions with IBM, we are still not clear on
the solution. We want to be sure the proposed solution will work
consistantly and would ideally like a contact in a company using the
proposed solution. The IPDS printing functionality is critical to our
business as we use to print bar codes, variable size fonts etc.

Thanks in advance.

Dear ITHEAD

I am not in a position to give you a "future solution" for your printing problems.

However when you say: 
"This works but is regularly unreliable losing connection to AS/400 etc."

this problem (which can be irritating at best and causes havoc at worst)
should be solvable with your current Hardware/Software setup. 

In order to get to the bottom of it and then resolve I would suggest the 
following actions

- Find out your OS400 operating system level (V4R5,V5R1 V5R2 etc)
- Find out the operating level of the ethernet card, the operating level of 
  the ethernet box (LAN-RPC) attached to the printer and also the operating 
  level of any software/firmware related to the printer. (You may need to call 
  the relevent manufacturers/vendors to get this information)
- Very Important. When a printer fails get detailed job information related 
  to the Writer Job on the AS400. (The writer job will be in the form  
  XXXXXXXXXX.YYYYYYYYYY.NNNNNN  where XXXXXXXX is the writer job name, 
  YYYYYYYYYY the user ID and NNNNNN is the job number)
  The LAST 3 or 4 messages on the Job Log will give crucial information 
  on how to resolve the problem

At this point you will need to pass the above information to someone
who is technically COMPETANT in IBM. (someone who is very
knowledgeable regarding
the OS400 operating system). It may also be useful to give the
information to  the vendors of the Printer (if not IBM) and ethernet
box (presumably IO corp)

IBM offers a HELP SOLUTIONS facility (you may have to pay for it!) and
if you have access to this facility they should quickly be able to
resolve this.
problem. 

AS a matter of speculation, problems of this type happen when the
OS400 operating level is not compliant with the operating level of the
ethernet box OR the software associated with the printer. IF for
example you are using an up up to date level of operating system on
the AS400 but the operating levels of the software associated with
ethernet box or printer are not at their current level, then the
relevent upgrade of operating software may well resolve your problem.

Finally let me reiterate a couple of points:

You are using a very standard hardware/software set-up. Your printer jobs 
should NOT be failing.  

Make sure you are talking to the CORRECT people in IBM. If the people
you are currently dealing with HAVE NOT asked you for the information
I have indicated
you are talking to the wrong people. At this point insist on been
directed to personnel who can resolve this problem.

Hope this helps

Mongolia

ithead

Just a quick addition to my above comments. Please insure you are at
the latest PTF level regarding your OS400 release level. (You can
determine this
by typing DSPPTF on the command line.)

This may possibly resolve the printer issue. And even if it does not
it is always best to be at the latest PTF level.

Regards

Mongolia

I would go the software route... the IPDS printers you are trying to
get rid of is a "standard" thing in the IPDS community. There are
software solutions you can use on your Windows PC and eliminate the
IPDS printers. These would give your full functionality of your
Windows printers/devices. We have been using ExcelliPrint for a while
now, no complaints the tech's are great to work with. There are other
software solutions out there, check em out on the net and search for
IPDS printing or so.... We use Excelliprint because we've used their
other product, RPM, for years. http://ipds.brooksnet.com.

Hope this helps. We are getting away from all IPDS printers also.

Best,

FCTOMA

The below link will be usefull to findout realiable remote IPDS priniting .
The I-O 5755e IPDS/SCS Printer Gateway  is product which can be used
to implement it.

http://www.twindata.com/i-ocorp/5755e.htm.

Sunith