Setting Printing Parameters


ZMC printing settings page.


ZRCS server intercepts printing of DOS like applications and transfers print jobs from the server to client printer other multiplexed connection. This feature works transparently and does not require direct server to client mappings of printers of client terminals.

Here is the step-by-step description how to use the client-side printing feature provided with ZRCS.

Configuring server printers

ZRCS requires a printer driver installed on the server. If you don't have a printer driver installed on your server, install the printer driver first. Please note the ZRCS will automatically switch the printer used for client side printing to the paused and off-line state. If you have applications required to print documents on the server please create another copy of existing printer (Control Panel->Printers->Add Printer) and use it for ZRCS.

The printer port must be assigned to one of LPT ports. To assign printer port, open the printer properties (Control Panel->Printers->Properties). On the Ports page, check one of LPTx buttons.

The printer must be shared. To share a printer, open the printer properties (Control Panel->Printers->Properties). On the "Sharing" page, check the "Shared as:" button and type the shared name of the printer.

Documents spooling option must be enabled to the printer. To enable spooling, open the printer properties (Control Panel->Printers->Properties). On the “Advanced” page, check the “Spool documents…” button.

Configuring Zilab server

Open the Management Console (ZMC.exe)

On the “CS Printing” page, check the “Enable client-side printing support” button. In the list below, check printers you want to use for client side printing.

On the “Access Control” page under “Client-side printing” use the “Manage” button to assign user accounts granted access to the service.

Press the "Update Settings" button.

Restart the service. You can use “Stop” and “Start” buttons on the "Online Control" page.

Configuring client software

In the GUI client, open the Preferences dialog (File->Preferences). And under “Client-side printing” select a printer to print documents from the server.

If you are expecting to use console based ZRCC.exe client, don't forget to include the “-prn” command line switch.

for local printer:

 zrcc -prn <local printer name>

<local printer name> is the name of the local printer on the client side is used to print documents from the server.

or for network printer:

 zrcc -prn <\\PrinterServer\printer name>

printer server is the name of the server to which network printer connected.

printer name is the sever printer name.

 

Its recommended mapping printer to LPT port using “net use” command in the context of the ZRCS session.

net use LPTx \\<server>\<printer name>

Where <server> is the network name of the server and <printer name> is the shared name of the printer.

Please note ZRCS automatically closes all network resources (like printers or network disk mappings) associated with client session when the user closes the session.

You can check the server settings via print command in the context of user session.

print /D:LPTx sometext.txt


Please note that client side printing feature can not work if the application require to constantly dumps data to the printer (in other words if the print job can not be spooled before printing) like some applications that logs some activity.

Examples

The first scenario.
You have "HP LaserJet" attached to LPT2 port, and you have checked this printer in the ZRCS Management console. In this case all documents printed from a ZRCS session on port LPT2 will be transferred to client.

The second scenario.
You have checked printer "HP LaserJet" in the ZRCS Management console. The printer is shared as "HPLJ" and your server has the "server1" network name. In the context of user session you make port mapping via "net use" command:

net use LPT2 \\server1\HPLJ 

After this command all documents printed in the context of the user session to the LPT2 port will be transferred to client.