[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference vaxaxp::vmsnotes

Title:VAX and Alpha VMS
Notice:This is a new VMSnotes, please read note 2.1
Moderator:VAXAXP::BERNARDO
Created:Wed Jan 22 1997
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:703
Total number of notes:3722

557.0. "High volume and speed printing from OVMS AphaServer" by MFOIS1::BERNARD () Fri May 02 1997 11:32

Customer: DCN Toulon (French Navy)
Context:  DCN is in a migrating path from VAX 6310 to AlphaServer
Problem:  High volume and speed printing from an AlphaServer on VMS

VAX solution:
------------ 
Actually, DCN use a VERSATEC card plugged on the BI bus of a VAX. 
Printed files characteristics are: graphique bitmap V80, size 1 Mo, Black and
white, 200 dots by inch, paper form A3.
Time to print is about 40 seconds.
Printers are Xerox 8812 (Postscript and binary V80).

Alpha Solution:
-------------- 
Impossible to print via AlphaServer 2100 parallel port LRA0 in graphic format.
About 2-3 minutes to print in postscript format via Rapid Print 200. (not
enough)
More than 10 minutes to print in bitmap format via Rapid Print 200 (not
acceptable).

Question:
--------- 
Have you any suggestion for this problem. the potential sales and revenues for
Digital is to replace 3 VAX 6310 by AlphaServers. Migration is blocked at this
time

Remarks: 
--------
VERSATEC is supported on PCI bus by UNIX and Windows NT but not by OpenVMS.

Thank you for your help.

Andre TRON @MFO or MFOIS1::TRON
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
557.1Print Speed Requirements?XDELTA::HOFFMANSteve, OpenVMS EngineeringFri May 02 1997 11:536
   What are the printing speed requirements?  (Xerox makes a number
   of printers, but I'm not familiar with the speed of the 8812 model.)
   The local Kodak high-speed printer used here in OpenVMS is known for
   its speed...
557.2High volume & speed printing from OVMS AlphaServerMFOIS1::TRONAndre TRON @MFOTue May 13 1997 06:0118
    1/ XEROX 8812
    
    XEROX 8812 include 3 ports :
    
    First port  : 8-bits parallel (the custumer use this port with its VAX,
                  but it don't work with ALPHA via the parallel port LRA0).
    Second port : Serial port until 19 200 bauds.
    Third port  : other parallel port (unknowon characteristics not used).
    
    2/ QUESTION :
    
    Is the parallel port LRA0 on AlphaServer 2100 supported to connect a
    laser printer ?.
    
    If YES where can i find supported laser print ?.
    If NO  what is the solution for my customer ?.
    
    Regards.
557.3In theory it should printSTAR::KENNEYTue May 13 1997 09:3019
    
    	The parallel port on the Alphas is supported.  Because there are 
    literally 1000's of printers we do not list support for any specific
    printer.  In theory if the printer works on a parallel port on a VAX it
    should work on an Alpha.
    
    	To the best of my knowledge DCPS software does not have support for
    the Alpha parallel port.  They need/desire bidirectional capability,
    adding this capability has been discussed but the resources to do it
    simply do not exist.  You should be able to send postscript to the
    printer assuming it is a postscript printer and it should work.
    
    	If they have hooked it up to the parallel port do they get any
    output, do the they get any errors reported back whey they try to copy
    a file to LRA0:.  Also what version of OpenVMS is installed and have
    they installed the updated driver kits.
                              
    
    Forrest