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1996-07-10
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1,582 lines
--------
PCOUNTER
--------
A Page Counting Print Server
for
Novell NetWare Networks
Version 3.1
Copyright 1995
--------------
A.N.D. Technologies
P.O. Box 64811
Los Angeles, CA 90064
USA
E-Mail
------
Internet - andtech@netcom.com
CompuServe - 71011,3570 or INTERNET:andtech@netcom.com (faster!)
Phone/Fax
---------
(213) 782-6923
-----------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
Hardware requirements for PCOUNTER.EXE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5
Software requirements for PCOUNTER.EXE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5
Software requirements for PCOUNTER.NLM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5
Differences between the EXE and NLM versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5
Types of configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6
PCONTROL details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6
PCOUNTER limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6
Configuring and running PCOUNTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7
How are pages counted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8
Where are the printers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9
How are print jobs handled? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9
How is accounting done? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10
How can I speed up PCOUNTER? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11
Why use TCP/IP and not IPX/SPX for networked printers? . . . . . . . Page 11
Why use only Novell's TCP/IP protocol stack and not a packet driver? Page 11
How do I setup PCOUNTER for Macintosh? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
How is text converted to PostScript? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 13
Creating queues in PCONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14
QUEUE - Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14
QUEUE - Always place jobs on hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14
QUEUE - Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14
QUEUE - Action if below credit limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14
QUEUE - Cut off job if below credit limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
QUEUE - Discard job if unknown user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
QUEUE - Print banners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16
QUEUE - Banner position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16
QUEUE - Banner account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16
QUEUE - Banner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16
QUEUE - Job notify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17
QUEUE - Notify at credit limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17
QUEUE - Form feed (End of job codes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17
QUEUE - Header files, Footer files, and Delays . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18
QUEUE - Reject paper sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19
QUEUE - Reject print job types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19
PRINTER - Type=PostScript . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20
PRINTER - Type=PCL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20
PRINTER - Type=Laserjet 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20
PRINTER - Type=Charge per job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20
PRINTER - Type=Disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20
PRINTER - Port=COMx - Serial Ports (RS-232) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21
PRINTER - Port=LPTx - Parallel Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21
PRINTER - Port=Queue--> (Another Queue) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
PRINTER - Port=JetDirect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 23
PRINTER - Port=TCP/IP Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 23
PRINTER - Port=LPR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 25
PRINTER - Print buffer size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 25
PRINTER - Lines/page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 25
PRINTER - Error notify list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
PRINT SERVER - Broadcast error wait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
PRINT SERVER - Central accounting server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
PRINT SERVER - Console keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
PRINT SERVER - Console screen lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 27
PRINT SERVER - Maximum printer status lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 27
PRINT SERVER - Delete held jobs after ? hours . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 27
PRINT SERVER - Screen blanker wait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 27
PRINT SERVER - Create password file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 28
PRINT SERVER - Include file servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 28
The PCOUNTER console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 29
Important NLM Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 29
Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 30
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 31
Technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 32
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 32
45 Day Trial Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 32
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 32
How to find the latest version of PCOUNTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 33
Other software by A.N.D. Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 33
Page 4
--------
Overview
--------
PCOUNTER is a useful tool which will provide smart, fast, reliable printing on
Novell networks. The EXE version is a replacement for PSERVER.EXE which runs
on a dedicated CPU. An NLM version is provided with the same capabilities as
the EXE. Please consider recycling an old AT and using PCOUNTER before you
invest in a dedicated print server box. If you're looking at other print
server programs, please compare their features to PCOUNTER's:
- Counts pages on PostScript and LaserJet (PCL) printers, Laserjet 4s, and
Deskjets. Maintains user account balances using the Novell accounting
feature. Keeps a log file of all print activity.
- Specific support for HP Laserjet 4s and JetDirects.
- Fast parallel printing using direct port access.
- Fast serial printing with baud rates up to 115K. (EXE only)
- Excellent networked printer support:
Writes jobs to an output queue serviced by another print server;
Communicates directly with network printers using the TCP/IP protocol;
Spool jobs to UNIX hosts using the LPR protocol.
- Automatically converts text to PostScript if necessary; supports the
extended character set.
- Pleasant looking banner pages containing all (Correct!) information about
the print job, including the page count and account balance.
- Simple printer and queue management from the PCOUNTER console.
- Remote control so that you can always see what's happening.
- Automatically place jobs on hold; Delete old held jobs.
- Reject incorrect print job types and incorrect paper sizes.
- Built in screen blanker; automatic reboot on file server crashes. (EXE only)
Page 5
--------------------------------------
Hardware requirements for PCOUNTER.EXE
--------------------------------------
PCOUNTER.EXE requires a dedicated computer as a print server. It will run on
an 8086/88, but a 286 would be better; especially if page counts are manually
calculated. No hard disk is necessary. A network interface certainly helps.
Page counting requires a PostScript or PCL printer. 640K of conventional
memory. Expanded/Extended memory is not needed nor used.
--------------------------------------
Software requirements for PCOUNTER.EXE
--------------------------------------
DOS 3.3 or above, NetWare 2.1 or above.
TCP/IP support requires the Novell Lan Workplace TCPIP.EXE protocol stack.
Remote control support requires SPX (IPXODI D).
NETX (3.32 recommended) or VLM (1.1 or above).
Bindery emulation for Netware 4.x.
--------------------------------------
Software requirements for PCOUNTER.NLM
--------------------------------------
NetWare 3.11 or above.
Updated CLIB.NLM and TCPIP.NLM with NetWare 3.11.
Bindery emulation for Netware 4.x.
--------------------------------------------
Differences between the EXE and NLM versions
--------------------------------------------
All queue settings are supported by both versions.
Some print server and printer settings are distinguished by notes beginning
with << EXE >> and << NLM >>. Any feature not containing individual EXE and
NLM notes is supported by both versions.
Page 6
-----------------------
Types of configurations
-----------------------
Print server configurations affect all aspects of PCOUNTER's operation;
example options are "Central accounting server" and "Screen blanker wait".
A print server configuration includes a list of printer configurations.
Printer configurations (found in PCONTROL, Print Servers, Printer list) are
used to tell PCOUNTER how to handle and communicate with each printer, such as
the "Printer type" and "Printer port". The list of printers is unique to each
print server. A printer configuration includes the queues which should be
serviced by that printer.
Queue configurations determine how PCOUNTER handles each print job serviced in
that queue. Many options (such as those pertaining to accounting) are
specific to PCOUNTER, others (Job notify, Banners, Form feed) provide
extensions to Novell's printing services.
A PCOUNTER print server configuration must include at least one printer
configuration, which in turn must include at least one queue to be serviced.
This queue must also have its own configuration. If there are no printers set
up completely, PCOUNTER will not run.
----------------
PCONTROL details
----------------
A user may not use PCONTROL to change anything unless they are a supervisor.
PCOUNTER supports print service on up to eight file servers; therefore you
must be a supervisor on each file server where you wish to run PCONTROL.
A user need only be a print server operator to use PCONTROL's remote control
feature on that particular print server.
Context-sensitive help is available.
All configuration parameters that are relevant to PCOUNTER are set up using
PCONTROL. The use of PCONSOLE is not necessary, except for queue management.
PCONTROL creates the directory SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER if it doesn't already
exist. The PCOUNTER server is given read, write, and create access in this
directory; here is where it writes log files and reads header and footer
files.
---------------
PCOUNTER limits
---------------
Each PCOUNTER print server may login to up to 8 file servers.
Each PCOUNTER print server may print on up to 32 printers.
Each printer may service up to 16 queues.
A printer name may not exceed 14 characters.
Page 7
--------------------------------
Configuring and running PCOUNTER
--------------------------------
Two additional programs are provided to help you configure and manage your
PCOUNTER environment. PCONTROL is a menu driven utility which is used for
print server, printer, and queue configuration, user/group account balance
management, and remote control of PCOUNTER servers. ACCOUNT is a command-line
utility for user account balances.
<< EXE >>
1. Run PCONTROL. Choose PControl Defaults first. The printer/queue
definitions and relationships defined in PCONSOLE do not apply to
PCOUNTER. If you are installing PCOUNTER for the first time, please
create a new print server for testing purposes. To start your 45 day
trial period, choose File Servers, Register for each file server you
intend to have PCOUNTER running on. PCOUNTER configuration details will
be described below.
2. Copy all banner templates (*.BAN) and the Text->PostScript conversion
header file (T2PS.PS) to the SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER directory. If your
default paper size is A4, rename T2PS-A4.PS to T2PS.PS.
3. Copy PCOUNTER.EXE to a boot disk or to the SYS:LOGIN directory.
4. Copy the encrypted password file (*.PWD) to the same directory as
PCOUNTER.EXE.
5. If you want remote control, make sure SPX is installed on the PCOUNTER
computer. Include IPXODI or IPXODI D in AUTOEXEC.BAT.
6. Run PCOUNTER. The command line syntax is:
PCOUNTER [FileServerName/]PrintServerName
NOTE: PrintServerName is required. example: PCOUNTER PSERVER1
<< NLM >>
1. Run PCONTROL. Choose PControl Defaults first. The printer/queue
definitions and relationships defined in PCONSOLE do not apply to
PCOUNTER. If you are installing PCOUNTER for the first time, please
create a new print server for testing purposes. To start your 45 day
trial period, choose File Servers, Register for each file server you
intend to have PCOUNTER running on. PCOUNTER configuration details will
be described below.
2. Copy all banner templates (*.BAN) and the Text->PostScript conversion
header file (T2PS.PS) to the SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER directory. If your
default paper size is A4, rename T2PS-A4.PS to T2PS.PS.
3. Copy PCOUNTER.NLM to the SYS:SYSTEM directory.
4. Copy the encrypted password file (*.PWD) to SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER.
5. Run PCOUNTER on the file server console. The command line syntax is:
LOAD PCOUNTER PrintServerName
NOTE: PrintServerName is required. example: PCOUNTER PSERVER1
Page 8
----------------------
How are pages counted?
----------------------
There are two methods by which PCOUNTER can count pages.
The preferred method is done by establishing a bi-directional communication
link to the printer (hereby referred to as bidir). When a bidir link exists
between PCOUNTER and the printer, it can query the printer for page count and
job information, as well as printer status, (out of paper, toner, etc.). A
bidir link can occur via serial, parallel, or TCP/IP.
The other method is called manual counting. With manual counting, PCOUNTER
must calculate the page count itself. Obviously, this method requires more
processing and results in longer print times. It is not recommended to
overload a file server running PCOUNTER.NLM with many manually counted
printers, as the processing overhead may impede file server performance.
PCOUNTER always attempts bidir page counting on Laserjet 4's and PostScript
printers. If the bidir link fails, then manual counting is the result.
Manual counting always occurs if PrinterType=PCL and if PrinterPort=LPR or
PrinterPort=AnotherQueue.
PCOUNTER cannot monitor a printer's status when counting manually. This
method has not been tested with every software package. A.N.D. Technologies
would like to immediately fix any page count errors which may occur.
The PostScript language is complex; standard commands may be redefined in many
different ways. Care has been taken to include all possibilities, but here
are possible problem areas in manual PostScript counting:
* The incoming PostScript program uses character/line counts in order to
eject pages instead of explicitly issuing a page eject command.
Applications which generate such output are Paradox 4.0, and T2PS 1.0 by
A.N.D. Technologies. Other text to PostScript converters may also cause
problems. The solution? Let PCOUNTER convert text to PostScript!
* Invalid sequences which cause the printer to abort a job. PCOUNTER is
not a PostScript interpreter and does not check syntax. The overhead
involved in implementing such a scheme would be too costly in terms of
processing time and hardware requirements. Therefore PCOUNTER checks
only for page-eject related commands. PCOUNTER cannot detect pages
printed by resident error handlers.
* PostScript Level 2 programs - especially binary encoding. More research
needs to be done. Waiting to see some new drivers. Works ok with the
Windows AdobePS and Mac Laserwriter 8 drivers.
The nature of the HP LaserJet Printer Control Language (PCL) is such that,
unlike PostScript, two way communication between the computer and the printer
was not supported until the LaserJet IIISi and LaserJet 4. Therefore the
print data must be examined and the number of pages then calculated. Given
that there are many combinations of PCL commands which can eject a page, and
that the PCL data may be itself incorrect (such as font commands when a
cartridge does not exist), there is no guarantee that PCOUNTER will count
correctly 100% of the time. However, for software programs configured
correctly which format print data, there should generally be few problems.
If you discover page counting errors, please contact A.N.D. Technologies.
Page 9
-----------------------
Where are the printers?
-----------------------
In Netware 2.x and 3.x, printer information is kept in configuration files
created by PCONSOLE for each print server. No printer bindery object exists.
In Netware 4.x, a printer is an object in the Directory Services database. In
PCOUNTER, a printer is a property of a print server. Therefore, PCOUNTER
printers will not appear as Directory Services entities.
---------------------------
How are print jobs handled?
---------------------------
In PCOUNTER, each queue has its own configuration, including header, footer,
and banner files, which make it easier to centralize the administration of
print jobs, rather that using PRINTDEF.
Pcounter detects the type of print job, and then proceeds according to the
queue/printer configuration.
Headers are files sent before the print job, and footers are files sent after
the print job. This is easier to implement than PRINTDEF's concept of modes.
PCOUNTER always places the correct user name on a banner page, regardless of
the Banner Name or Name field in a queue job.
PCOUNTER and Queue Job parameters:
Number of Copies:
PCOUNTER prints the job this number of times.
File Contents (Text/Byte Stream) and Tab Size:
Ignored. PCOUNTER always treats print data as a binary stream.
Form:
Ignored.
Form Feed:
Notify:
Banner:
See below for PCOUNTER's extensions of these features.
The queue job reject feature is very important, as this enables you to
restrict the types of print jobs which can be sent to a printer. There are
also various queue settings which control how jobs should be treated in case a
user has an insufficient account balance.
Page 10
-----------------------
How is accounting done?
-----------------------
User account balances are maintained using the Novell accounting feature. If
you want to use this feature, then you must enable it using SYSCON/NWADMIN.
If you are currrently using accounting for tracking connect time or disk usage
and the account balances are not in currency units, then user account balances
will not appear to be consistant if PCOUNTER is also used. Please check to
make sure none of these features are enabled on your file server before
implementing PCOUNTER in this fashion.
You will also have to choose the numerical format:
Pages: one accounting unit = one page
Currency: accounting is kept in terms of local currency. The type and format
of the local currency are determined from DOS information from
CONFIG.SYS (note: US users need not set anything in CONFIG.SYS).
The cost for each print job is defined in the queue's configuration. If
you're collecting money for printing, and you wish to deduct the cost of each
print job from a user's account balance, then use positive prices. Only use
negative prices if you want to keep a running total of print activity in
account balances.
Also, the PCOUNTER server keeps a running log of all print activity in the
text file SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER\PCOUNTER.LOG. Multiple PCOUNTER servers will
write to a single PCOUNTER.LOG file and share header/footer files. PCOUNTER
automatically flags PCOUNTER.LOG as shareable. PCOUNTER.LOG can be written in
either of two formats: readable and ASCII delimited.
If PCOUNTER.LOG is Readable, then limited information is kept in it, but it's
very easy to read. It is best for showing users their print activities.
If PCOUNTER.LOG is ASCII Delimited, then all information about the print job
is placed in it. You can then import it into a spreadsheet or database
program for further analysis. It's not easy to read, but is best for keeping
more detailed information, such as total print activity for each printer.
The Numerical format and PCOUNTER.LOG Readable/ASCII Delimted choices are
necessary in 3 places:
PCONTROL, PControl Defaults: for PCONTROL transactions
PCONTROL, Print Servers: for PCOUNTER
ACCOUNT /CONFIG : for ACCOUNT transactions
Once accounting is installed on your file server, each user should have an
account balance and a credit limit. You can use PCONTROL and ACCOUNT to
modify user account balances and credit limits. In addition, PCONTROL may be
used for groups. PCONTROL and ACCOUNT can optionally keep records in
PCOUNTER.LOG.
Page 11
One side effect of accounting is that Netware creates the file
SYS:SYSTEM\NET$ACCT.DAT. This file contains binary records of all accounting
transactions on the file server, as well as logins, etc. In most cases this
file can/should be deleted periodically. In time it can grow to a rather
large size.
SYSCON/NWADMIN may be used to alter user account balances and credit limits,
but no record will be kept of any transactions.
ACCOUNT is a command-line accounting tool which is designed for quick
accounting access to user accounts. Only a supervisor or workgroup manager
may change another user's account information. Type ACCOUNT to see all the
options available.
----------------------------
How can I speed up PCOUNTER?
----------------------------
PCOUNTER does not require or use expanded or extended memory. Therefore it
should not be necessary to use an memory manager such as QEMM or HIMEM with
PCOUNTER. While a memory manager may increase DOS conventional memory, it
will also slow down processing speed.
If you are using the Queue--> port option, you may setup the input and output
queues to reside on different file servers, but this is not recommended.
Keeping them on the same file server reduces the load on the print server and
the file server(s).
Please read the section "PRINTER - Print buffer size".
------------------------------------------------------
Why use TCP/IP and not IPX/SPX for networked printers?
------------------------------------------------------
Typically, network printer interfaces (such as the HP JetDirect) and dedicated
print server boxes (such as the Intel NetPort) contain their own internal
software for handling Novell printing; they run in either queue server mode
(where they can independently service queues) or in remote printer mode (where
they run as RPRINTER equivalent slaves to PSERVER). Unfortunately, they don't
provide any method of communication via IPX/SPX. However, they usually
provide TCP/IP communication for usage with UNIX systems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Why use only Novell's TCP/IP protocol stack and not a packet driver?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
There are way too many TCP/IP protocol stack vendors to support. Life is too
short. And, after all, we are running a Novell network, aren't we? Seriously
though, in preliminary testing (Novell's TCPIP.EXE vs. public domain packet
driver), the Novell solution provided far greater throughput.
Page 12
--------------------------------------
How do I setup PCOUNTER for Macintosh?
--------------------------------------
If a Mac can place a job into a Novell queue, then PCOUNTER can work with it.
You will need to load ATPS.NLM (Appletalk Print Services) on each file server
where there are print queues which need to be accessible to Macs.
ATPS has two modules, the print spooler (queues print jobs) and the print
server (prints the jobs). PCOUNTER does not support Appletalk as a protocol
for communicating with network printers, but using ATPS as a print spooler
will enable Macs to view Novell queues in the Chooser as network printers, and
place print jobs in the queues. However, you must use the -wb parameter in
ATPS.CFG (for each queue serviced by PCOUNTER) in order to turn off the ATPS
Print Server and allow an external print server (PCOUNTER!) to service the
queues.
If you do not want Mac users to bypass PCOUNTER and print directly to
Appletalk printers, then you should turn off Appletalk on the printers, and
have PCOUNTER print to them via serial, parallel, or TCP/IP.
Sample AUTOEXEC.NCF parameters
------------------------------
load APPLETLK net=500 zone={"PRINTING"}
load NE2000 name=ETALK int=5 port=300 frame=ETHERNET_SNAP
bind APPLETLK to ETALK net=501-505 zone={"MACS"}
load atps -v
Sample ATPS.CFG
---------------
"Lab Laser:PRINTING" -o LAB-LASER -wb -f hplaser
"Library Laser:PRINTING" -o LIBRARY-LASER -wb -f hplaser
"Color Printer:PRINTING" -o COLORPS -wb -f applwpls
For more information about ATPS, see the Netware for Macintosh manuals.
User Accounting
---------------
ATPS will allow Mac users to print to Novell queues without being logged into
the file server. In this case, the owner of the print job becomes ATPS_QUSER,
which is an object created by ATPS. Mac users set the network user and group
names in Control Panel, and typically a user name will appear in parentheses
() in the banner field of the print job. In order for PCOUNTER to account for
print jobs this way, it is necessary for each user to be placed in the map
file PCOUNTER.MAP.
PCOUNTER.MAP syntax:
(macname) NOVELLNAME
(ringo) RINGO
(george) HARRISON
:
:
Please read "QUEUE - Discard job if unknown user" for more information about
PCOUNTER.MAP.
Page 13
------------------------------------
How is text converted to PostScript?
------------------------------------
The file T2PS.PS is included with PCOUNTER. PCOUNTER must download T2PS.PS
before each print job which must be converted. T2PS.PS must be located in
SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER on the default file server. If your default paper size is
A4, then rename T2PS-A4.PS to T2PS.PS. If you wish, you may change the
encoding for characters 128-175. The other data must not be changed. DO NOT
alter any of the other PostScript code, or it may not work correctly. Any
characters extending beyond the printable right margin are wrapped around to
the next line. The font used is always Courier. Extended characters such as
box, line, and European characters are supported, but spaces are printed
instead of control codes (below decimal 32).
There are attributes of a Text To PostScript job which are user configurable:
point size, page orientation, tab size, and margins. One may include an
optional first line (which is not actually printed) in the text file to be
sent with the syntax in either uppercase or lowercase:
%* [S=n] [O=L] [T=n] [MT=n] [MB=n] [ML=n] [MR=n]
where n - an integer value
S - point size from 3 to 100 (default=11)
O=L - landscape orientation (default=portrait)
T - tabsize in spaces (default=5)
Mx - margin size in points (1/72 inch - default=36)
(Top, Bottom, Left, Right)
Not all of the above options need to be specified, for example,
%* S=14 --- portrait orientation using Courier 14pt;
%* O=L T=3 --- landscape orientation with a tab size of 3 spaces;
%* MT=108 MB=108 --- top and bottom margins set to 1.5 inches.
You may use these commands as the first line of the file, in a setup string,
or in a PRINTCON print job configuration, but NOT in a PCOUNTER header file!
Just make sure a linefeed character (decimal 10) is included.
You may change the default settings in PCONTROL. The settings listed above
yield 65 lines/page and 81 characters/line on an 8.5" x 11" page.
****** IMPORTANT NOTE ******
PCOUNTER assumes that a printer defined as PostScript can understand PCL as
well, unless the particular queue is configured to reject PCL jobs.
Therefore, if PCL jobs are not rejected, then text jobs will be sent
unmodified to the printer; if PCL jobs are rejected, then text jobs will be
converted to PostScript before being sent to the printer.
******** WARNING! ********
If your software (or hardware) takes a long time creating PostScript output,
you are using CAPTURE for network printing, and the timeout value is not large
enough, then the print job gets broken into pieces. This could result in
PostScript code being converted to text and many unnecessary pages printed.
Page 14
---------------------------
Creating queues in PCONTROL
---------------------------
If a queue is created by PCONTROL, the user group EVERYONE is added to the
Queue Users propery. If you wish to have selective access to queues, use
PCONTROL to add/delete users and user groups to be queue users. PCONTROL
allows you to choose any volume and/or directory to place your print queue,
unlike PCONSOLE, which always creates queues in SYS:SYSTEM (or SYS:QUEUES for
NW 4.x). PCONTROL always adds a PCOUNTER server to the Queue Users and Queue
Operators lists.
-------------
QUEUE - Price
-------------
This is an amount which refers either to the price per job (Charge Per Job
printers) or to the price per page (all other printers). If this value is
negative, then PCOUNTER will add to (keep a running total in) the user's
account balance.
If you don't wish to charge for certain jobs, set QueueAccounting=None. If
QueueAccounting=None, then this value is meaningless.
If Numerical Format=Pages and this value is negative, then PCOUNTER will add
the number of pages in each print job to the user's account balance.
---------------------------------
QUEUE - Always place jobs on hold
---------------------------------
PCOUNTER can place jobs on hold automatically. Users will have to release
each job in order for them to be printed - this can be done from the PCOUNTER
console queue manager, or from another queue control utility such as PCONSOLE
or Windows Print Manager.
------------------
QUEUE - Accounting
------------------
None - No page counting for this queue
Log file only - Count pages, maintain log file, no user accounting
User accounting and Log File - Count pages, maintain log file & user accounts
------------------------------------
QUEUE - Action if below credit limit
------------------------------------
If a job is placed in a queue by a user whose balance is below his/her credit
limit, you can tell PCOUNTER to:
- Print job anyway
- Delete job from queue
- Place job on hold
Page 15
-----------------------------------------
QUEUE - Cut off job if below credit limit
-----------------------------------------
This feature is only available with manual page counting.
You can tell PCOUNTER to cut off a print job at the point where a user's
balance would go below his/her credit limit.
-----------------------------------
QUEUE - Discard job if unknown user
-----------------------------------
If you are using the Charon gateway, ATPS, or an LPD NLM to route print jobs
from other networks or hardware platforms, it is possible that the client's
username may not be included in a queue job description; or that a queue user
on one file server doesn't have the same username on the central accounting
file server. If QueueAccounting is enabled, and you want PCOUNTER to discard
the print job, then set this value to Yes. See also USING ONE CENTRAL FILE
SERVER FOR ACCOUNTING for more details.
When such a print job lands in a Novell queue, the Novell queue job client
becomes the object that moved the job into the queue. For PCOUNTER to account
for print jobs this way, it is necessary for the username to be placed in the
banner field of the Novell queue job description. For example, on a UNIX
system you can force the banner off by typing: lpr -h filename. PCOUNTER then
cannot determine who created the job. Have your UNIX administrator set the
default for a UNIX->Novell queue so that banners always get printed.
When PCOUNTER starts processing a new job, it automatically checks to see if
the job was placed there by a user or by another object type. If the job
client is not a user (as opposed to print server, file server, etc.), PCOUNTER
then reads the client name from the banner field, converts it to uppercase,
and verifies that it is a valid Novell username. If it is not, then PCOUNTER
reads the file PCOUNTER.MAP and again verifies the username. If this fails
and QueueDiscardJobIfUnknownUser=Yes, then PCOUNTER discards the job.
The syntax for PCOUNTER.MAP is simple:
unixname1 NOVELLNAME1
(macname2) NOVELLNAME2
OTHER_FILE_SERVER1/USERNAME1 CENTRAL_USERNAME1
jimi HENDRIX
kmoon MOON
(daltrey) ROGER
(allman) DUANE
FS1/JOPLIN JANIS
:
:
Since UNIX names are case-sensitive and limited to 8 characters, and Novell
converts everything to uppercase, type the Novell column in uppercase and the
UNIX column the way it appears. You may map multiple UNIX accounts to single
Novell accounts.
YOU MUST PLACE PCOUNTER.MAP IN SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER.
Page 16
---------------------
QUEUE - Print banners
---------------------
There are 3 choices: "Never", "Only If Requested", and "Always". If you
choose "Only If Requested", then banners are printed only if they are
specified in the print job's configuration, or on the CAPTURE or NPRINT
command line.
-----------------------
QUEUE - Banner position
-----------------------
You may print banners before or after a print job. It might seem unusual to
print a banner after a job, but there are advantages in doing so:
* PCOUNTER can only include <PAGES>, <COST>, and <BALANCE> on a banner after a
job - they are ignored if any of these are specified in a banner which is
printed before a job.
* Typically, the page on top will be the banner.
-------------------------
QUEUE - Banner accounting
-------------------------
Here you choose whether PCOUNTER should include banner pages in page counts.
PCOUNTER will not print a banner after a zero (0) page job.
----------------------------
QUEUE - Banner template file
----------------------------
If you want PCOUNTER to print banners, then here you must specify a banner
template file name. Nine banner templates are provided (with a .BAN
extension) - for Letter and A4 paper sizes - use them if you wish. You may
also design your own banner. BANNER.WP is a WordPerfect 5.1 file which was
used to generate the included banner templates. If you wish PCOUNTER to
insert specific print job information, then you must use the following
variables (as they appear with the brackets) in your template:
<JOB_DESCRIPTION> <FILE_SERVER> <USERNAME> <BANNER_NAME>
<PAGES> <PRINT_SERVER> <COST> <QUEUE_NAME>
<PRINTER_NAME> <DATE> <BALANCE> <MESSAGE>
<FULLNAME>
It's a good idea to keep the banner templates as small as possible - obviously
larger banner files take longer to print. Also, if you use a word processor
to generate a banner template, make sure that it doesn't insert printer
language commands BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS. If this happens, PCOUNTER won't be
able to place any information on the banner.
Banner template files must be placed in \SYSTEM\PCOUNTER on the default file
server.
Page 17
------------------
QUEUE - Job notify
------------------
There are 3 choices: "Never", "Only If Requested", and "Always". If you
choose "Only If Requested", then banners are printed only if they are
specified in the print job's configuration, or on the CAPTURE or NPRINT
command line.
If PrinterPort=AnotherQueue, notification will occur after the job is moved to
the other queue, but before it actually gets printed.
------------------------------
QUEUE - Notify at credit limit
------------------------------
If QueueAccounting is enabled, then this determines whether PCOUNTER should
send a broadcast message after a job if the user's account balance reaches or
goes below the QLimit.
------------------------------------
QUEUE - Form feed (End of job codes)
------------------------------------
This determines how PCOUNTER interprets the queue job Form Feed flag.
If enabled, the following data is sent after each print job:
PCL jobs: <ESC>E [27][69]
PS jobs: Ctrl-D [4]
Unknown or Text jobs: <FF> [12]
Set this to Always for compatibility with earlier versions of PCOUNTER.
This setting and the queue job form feed flag are ignored for Laserjet 4's.
Page 18
----------------------------------------------
QUEUE - Header files, Footer files, and Delays
----------------------------------------------
Headers are files sent to the printer before the print job.
Footers are files sent to the printer after the print job.
This feature serves multiple purposes. Header and footer files may contain
special printer command data for setting up certain jobs, may be used for soft
fonts, or may contain printer codes for emulating other printers.
Emulation is where the delay enters the picture. After you start or stop an
emulation, the printer may need time to reinitialize. If more data is sent
too quickly, data may be lost; or the printer could hang. You will need to
experiment in order to find the best setup.
Most printers today can auto-sense print job types such as PostScript and PCL
and don't require any special commands to tell them to enter a certain print
mode. If your printer auto-senses print jobs correctly, then you probably
shouldn't deal with any of this.
PCOUNTER does not parse the data in header or footer files for page count
information.
Header and Footer files MUST be placed in \SYSTEM\PCOUNTER on the default file
server. If a header or footer is specified in the configuration and is not in
the home directory, PCOUNTER will stop servicing the queue.
Page 19
--------------------------
QUEUE - Reject paper sizes
--------------------------
Sometimes a user can send a print job requesting a paper size not supported or
used by a particular printer, such as an A4 job on a letter sized printer -
causing the printer to pause. This feature enables PCOUNTER to reject a job
if a specified paper type is found in the print job. If no paper sizes are
specified here, then PCOUNTER will not check paper sizes. If you don't have
this problem, then don't worry about this feature.
------------------------------
QUEUE - Reject print job types
------------------------------
This is a very important setting. It tells PCOUNTER how to handle particular
print jobs, and also prevents waste.
Sometimes users send print jobs to the wrong queue, with unpleasant results.
Have you seen a PostScript printer choke on PCL data? Have you ever watched a
PCL or dot-matrix printer print out endless pages of PostScript code? With
this option, you can prevent this from happening by not allowing certain types
of print jobs to be printed. The choices are PostScript, PCL, Text, Unknown,
or any combination of three. An unknown print job typically occurs when an
inexperienced user sends some sort of binary data file to a print queue.
Effects on print job control:
Printer Type Job Type Reject Type Result
------------ -------- ----------- ------
PS (Manual) PCL None Job treated as PCL
PS (Manual) PCL PCL Job rejected (not printed)
PS (Manual) Text None Job treated as Text
PS (Manual) Text Text Job rejected (not printed)
PS Text PCL Text converted to PS
PCL PS None Job treated as Text
PCL PS PS Job rejected (not printed)
Page 20
-------------------------
PRINTER - Type=PostScript
-------------------------
Can handle PostScript, PCL, and text print jobs. PCOUNTER will attempt to use
bidir page counting; if the test fails, then manual page counting is used. Do
not use this setting with the Laserjet 4M.
PCOUNTER assumes that a printer defined as PostScript can understand PCL as
well, unless the particular queue is configured to reject PCL jobs.
Therefore, if PCL jobs are not rejected, then text jobs will be sent
unmodified to the printer; if PCL jobs are rejected, then text jobs will be
converted to PostScript before being sent to the printer.
------------------
PRINTER - Type=PCL
------------------
Can handle PCL and text print jobs. Manual page counting is used. Includes
LaserJets, DeskJets, and PaintJets (unless of course a PostScript option is
installed).
-------------------------
PRINTER - Type=Laserjet 4
-------------------------
Will work for any HP Laserjet 4, 4M, etc. model printer. Requires bidir page
counting. Cannot be used with PrinterPort=Queue--> or with PrinterPort=LPR.
The LJ4M can determine the type of print job automatically if (on the printer)
you set PERSONALITY=AUTO.
Parallel port setup:
On the LJ4's parallel menu, set ADV FUNCTIONS=ON (so that the LJ4 will talk
back to PCOUNTER) and HIGH SPEED=YES. Then configure PCOUNTER to use the
parallel hardware port. It is fast.
Using JetAdmin with PCOUNTER:
PCOUNTER must reserve the following PJL commands exclusively for its own use:
@PJL USTATUS, @PJL JOB, @PJL RDYMSG, and @PJL INFO. If you want to use
JetAdmin with a PCOUNTER queue, you must configure the queue for no accounting
(and restrict access to yourself only).
-----------------------------
PRINTER - Type=Charge per job
-----------------------------
No page counts; PCOUNTER charges a fixed rate for each print job. Useful for
plotters or dot-matrix printers.
-----------------------
PRINTER - Type=Disabled
-----------------------
Printer not used.
Page 21
-------------------------------------------
PRINTER - Port=COMx - Serial Ports (RS-232)
-------------------------------------------
<< EXE >>
Require a null modem cable.
Baud rates are supported up to 115K BAUD.
Serial printers should be set for 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.
Flow control: XON/XOFF (software) or DTR/DSR (hardware handshaking).
COM3 and COM4 are untested, and PCOUNTER needs to know the port IRQ setting.
On the LaserJet, for DTR/DSR set the printer's DTR POLARITY=HI.
For XON/XOFF you may set the printer's ROBUST XON/XOFF to either ON or OFF.
If XON/XOFF doesn't work, try using DTR/DSR.
<< NLM >>
Not supported. If you must connect a serial printer/plotter to the file
server, then use the Queue-> port option in conjunction with PSERVER.NLM.
------------------------------------
PRINTER - Port=LPTx - Parallel Ports
------------------------------------
<< EXE >>
Flow method: hardware port or ROM BIOS.
Direct hardware port is MUCH faster than BIOS, and is the recommended setting.
If printing doesn't work this way, then use ROM BIOS printing. If your
printer has a high speed parallel port, make sure you set the printer's port
to the high speed setting. Direct hardware port does not require an IRQ.
<< NLM >>
Direct hardware port flow method is always used.
PCOUNTER uses the following default port addresses (in hex):
LPT1: 378
LPT2: 3BC
LPT3: 278
Sometimes it's necessary to use the 3BC address for LPT1. In this case, on
the file server console command line, type:
PCOUNTER PrintServerName /LPTSWAP
This causes PCOUNTER to swap (exchange) the default LPT1 and LPT2 addresses.
If LPT1 or LPT2 aren't either of those, then it won't work.
Parallel printing is entirely CPU dependent. Expect high CPU utilization
when parallel printing from the file server.
Page 22
---------------------------------------
PRINTER - Port=Queue--> (Another Queue)
---------------------------------------
Another Queue (Queue-->) is included here as a "port" in order to take
advantage of NetWare's remote printing capabilities and printers with built-in
network interfaces (which don't support TCP/IP). Here is the idea:
1 - 2 queues are necessary: 1 for page counting, 1 for printing
2 - User places job in queue serviced by PCOUNTER server
3 - PCOUNTER counts pages, charges account, places job in other queue
4 - NetWare print server or networked printer prints job remotely
In order to implement this scenario, you must have previously used PCONSOLE to
configure the NetWare print server as a queue server for the other queue and
set up the remote printing parameters. If a networked printer comes with its
own configuration program then you must use it.
Do not choose a queue as a port if it is already being serviced by the same
PCOUNTER server.
Here is a diagram:
CHARGE
PER JOB
QUEUE ------> PCOUNTER ------> DOT-MATRIX (LPT1)
PRINT
PAGE -------> SERVER --- (Queue-->)
COUNT |
QUEUE |
|
---------------------------
|
--> REMOTE
PRINTER
QUEUE -----> PSERVER -------> REMOTE PRINTER
PRINT
ADMIN -----> SERVER -------> REMOTE PRINTER
PRINT
QUEUE
However, after PCOUNTER places a job in another queue, there is no way to know
what happens to the print job after that; such as whether it was actually
printed or not. For that reason PCOUNTER will not service a job in this way
unless another print server is attached to the other queue, or if for some
reason it is unable to place jobs in the other queue.
You should set the Maximum Number of Jobs value according to the speed of the
remote printer. If a remote printer is offline, jobs (which have already been
charged to user accounts) may back up in Queue-->. However, if the Maximum
Number of Jobs is 1, PCOUNTER will wait for Queue--> to be empty before
placing additional jobs there; you may not achieve the maximum throughput that
the remote printer offers, but it allows users the opportunity to delete jobs
before they are charged for printing.
Page 23
If PrinterPort=Queue-->, PCONTROL adds the PCOUNTER server to the other
queue's Queue Users property. If you want all jobs routed through PCOUNTER,
then remove all other users and groups from the Queue-->'s Queue Users
property.
You cannot set PrinterPort=Queue--> if PrinterType=LaserJet 4.
If PrinterPort=Queue-->, then all page counting is computed manually.
You may setup the input and output queues to reside on different file servers,
but it is not recommended. Keeping them on the same file server reduces the
load on the print server and the file server(s).
-----------------------------
PRINTER - Port=JetDirect
-----------------------------
PRINTER - Port=TCP/IP Printer
-----------------------------
PCOUNTER does not require any Novell-oriented feature to be active on the
JetDirect, print server box, or other network printer interface. Therefore, a
connection to the file server is not necessary for each printer. The only
thing PCOUNTER needs to know is the printer's IP address, and (except for the
JetDirect) the IP port number to use to communicate with the printer.
JetDirect TCP Behavior:
In the TCP/IP configuration, the TIMEOUT setting determines how long the
printer waits before breaking a TCP connection if no data is sent during that
time period. If an error occurs (such as paper running out) during a print
job, it is possible that the connection may break before the printer gets
attention from an operator, and display a "40 MIO ERROR" message. This is not
cause for concern. Simply press the Continue button to complete the job, or
the Reset button to abort the job. PCOUNTER will automatically reconnect to
the printer.
It is recommended to refer to the printer's IP address instead of its name.
If you do not have the TCP/IP protocol installed on your network, then please
read the Novell manuals pertaining to TCP/IP. You will need to run TCPIP.NLM
on your file server so that packets get routed correctly.
Page 24
<< EXE >>
Novell's TCPIP.EXE must be loaded.
Some example NET.CFG parameters:
Link Support
Buffers 8 1500
MemPool 4096
Link Driver NE2000
INT #1 5
PORT #1 300
Frame ETHERNET_II
Frame Ethernet_802.3
Protocol IPX 0 Ethernet_802.3
Link Driver TOKEN
Frame TOKEN-RING_SNAP
Frame TOKEN-RING
Protocol IPX E0 TOKEN-RING
Protocol TCPIP
path script c:\lwp\script
path profile c:\lwp\profile
path lwp_cfg c:\lwp\hstacc
path tcp_cfg c:\lwp\tcp
ip_netmask 255.255.255.0
;Ethernet - subnet 3
ip_router 128.100.3.1
ip_address 128.100.3.99
:Token Ring - subnet 4
; ip_router 128.100.4.1
; ip_address 128.100.4.99
tcp_sockets 8
udp_sockets 8
raw_sockets 1
<< NLM >>
TCPIP.NLM must be loaded.
Sample AUTOEXEC.NCF parameters
------------------------------
load TCPIP forward=yes rip=no
load NE2000 name=E_TCP int=5 port=300 frame=ETHERNET_II
bind IP to E_TCP addr=128.100.3.1 mask=255.255.255.0
load TOKEN name=T_TCP frame=TOKEN-RING_SNAP
bind IP to T_TCP addr=128.100.4.1 mask=255.255.255.0
Page 25
------------------
PRINTER - Port=LPR
------------------
PCOUNTER can send print jobs to UNIX hosts running the LPD/LPR protocol.
PCOUNTER needs to know the ip address and the printer name.
Typically, the printer name is defined in the printcap file on UNIX systems.
If you don't know, use the default "lp".
If that doesn't work, ask your local friendly UNIX guru.
If PrinterPort=LPR, then all page counting is computed manually.
---------------------------
PRINTER - Print buffer size
---------------------------
The print buffer size is the most important setting regarding PCOUNTER
performance. It specifies the size of the data chunks sent to the printer.
The sizes range from 64 to 16K bytes. However, if the buffer size is too
large and the printer's receive buffer fills up then PCOUNTER may have to
wait. It is recommended to use large buffers on fast lasers and small buffer
sizes on slow dot matrix printers and serial printers with low baud rates.
Try a few different settings to see what works best.
Try these settings:
Old IBM ProPrinters: 64 bytes
Serial printers @ 9600 baud or below: 512 bytes or less
Serial printers @ 19200 baud or below: 1K
Serial printers @ 38400 baud: 2K
Laserjet 4M @ 57600 baud: 4K
LaserJet II (Parallel/EXE): 1K
LaserJet II (Parallel/NLM): 512
LaserJet III (Parallel/EXE): 2K
LaserJet III (Parallel/NLM): 1K
LaserJet 4 (Parallel/EXE): 4K
LaserJet 4 (Parallel/NLM): 2K
LaserJet 4+ (Parallel/EXE): 8K
LaserJet 4+ (Parallel/NLM): 4K
Really, really, really fast printers: 16K
If PrinterType=PostScript, then it's print buffer size has a minimum of 512.
If PrinterType=Laserjet 4, then it's print buffer size has a minimum of 1K.
If PrinterPort=Queue-->, then buffer=1K, 2K, or 4K.
If PrinterPort=JetDirect or TCP/IP Printer or LPR, then buffer=1K or 2K.
--------------------
PRINTER - Lines/page
--------------------
This value is only used for text job manual page counting. It should
correspond to the printer's default lines-per-page setting. Therefore,
settings of less than the printer's default may result in over-counting, and
settings of more than the printer's default may result in under-counting.
Page 26
---------------------------
PRINTER - Error notify list
---------------------------
Users in this list are notified about printer errors using a broadcast message
if the Broadcast error option is enabled.
-----------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Broadcast error wait
-----------------------------------
This is the number of seconds that PCOUNTER will wait before sending broadcast
messages to users in the printer notify list when a printer needs attention.
Don't set too low of a value, or you might get messages often! Setting a
value of zero (0) disables this feature.
----------------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Central accounting server
----------------------------------------
PCOUNTER can be setup to perform all of its user accounting on one central
file server. Choose one of the included file servers to enable this feature;
otherwise, accounting occurs on the file server where the print queue resides.
If a user's name is not the same on the central file server as on the queue's
file server, then PCOUNTER reads the file PCOUNTER.MAP and verifies the
username. If this fails and QueueDiscardJobIfUnknownUser=Yes then PCOUNTER
discards the job. The syntax for PCOUNTER.MAP is similar to that shown above,
except that the queue's file server name is necessary:
QUEUE_FILE_SERVER1/USERNAME1 CENTRAL_USERNAME1
FS1/PAGE JIMMY
FS2/PLANT ROBERT
:
:
You may put UNIX and non-central Novell server user maps in PCOUNTER.MAP.
PCOUNTER.MAP must be placed in SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER.
-------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Console keyboard
-------------------------------
<< EXE >>
The PCOUNTER console has a queue job manager function activated by pressing
the F1 key, and a printer control funcion activated by pressing F4. Anyone
with access to the PCOUNTER console may delete print jobs in the PCOUNTER
server's queues. Jobs may also be held and released. The space bar switches
printer status displays if you have more printers than status lines. You may
disable the keyboard completely, or simply disable Ctrl-Alt-Del soft reboots.
The keyboard state has no effect on remote control features.
<< NLM >>
Not supported.
Page 27
-----------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Console screen lines
-----------------------------------
<< EXE >>
If you have an EGA or VGA on your PCOUNTER server, you may run it in 43 (EGA)
or 50 (VGA) line screen mode.
<< NLM >>
Not supported.
-------------------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Maximum printer status lines
-------------------------------------------
<< EXE >>
On the PCOUNTER console, if you prefer to see more of the screen dedicated to
the Recent and Pending Print Jobs windows, set a lower value. Range: 1-16.
The Space key changes which printers are shown in the status display.
<< NLM >>
Not supported.
---------------------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Delete held jobs after ? hours
---------------------------------------------
PCOUNTER can delete held print jobs after a specified number of hours. A
value of zero (0) disables this feature.
----------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Screen blanker wait
----------------------------------
<< EXE >>
The time (in seconds) to wait before PCOUNTER blanks the screen. Pressing a
key lights the screen again. Setting this value to zero (0) disables this
feature. Maximum value=1800.
<< NLM >>
Not supported.
Page 28
-----------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Create password file
-----------------------------------
For security purposes, it is recommended that you create and use a password
file for your PCOUNTER server. By default, a password file is not generated
and a password is not used. After you enter a password for the PCOUNTER
server in PCONTROL, a file is created (in the current directory) called
PSName.PWD, where PSName is replaced by up to the first 8 characters of the
print server's name. If the password file is not present at that time, then
PCOUNTER will attempt to login without a password. If the password file is
present, it will be automatically used by PCOUNTER.
Do NOT specify the password on the command line.
In PCONTROL, the password will be set on all included file servers.
<< EXE >>
Put the password file in the same directory as PCOUNTER.EXE.
<< NLM >>
Put the password file in SYS:SYSTEM\PCOUNTER.
-----------------------------------
PRINT SERVER - Include file servers
-----------------------------------
Here is where you specify whether a single PCOUNTER server should service
queues on multiple file servers. Adding a file server to the list will create
the print server account on that file server. Removing a file server from the
list will delete the print server account along with all printer definitions
from that file server. You cannot remove a file server from the list if it is
the default file server.
All printer setups appear the same on all included file servers and PCOUNTER
can login as this print server on any of them.
<< EXE >>
Logs in to all included file servers; uses one user connection on each.
<< NLM >>
Logs in to all included file servers; does not use a user connection on the
file server where the NLM is running; uses one user connection on each remote
file server.
Page 29
--------------------
The PCOUNTER console
--------------------
<< EXE >>
F1 - Queue Manager - Users may hold, release, and delete jobs in all
print queues. Jobs are sorted by username. Unlike PCONSOLE, jobs
are shown with the true username.
F4 - Printer Control - Users may pause/unpause the printer, restart the
current job, or delete the current job.
F8 - Pauses all PCOUNTER operations.
Space - Switches printer status displays if you have more printers than
printer status lines.
Ctrl-End - Exit
Colors in the Current Print Jobs window:
Green - Job is ready to print
Cyan - Job is still in progress
Red - Job is held
Reverse - Job is being printed
<< NLM >>
There are 2 screens, one for Printer Control and one for messages and recent
print jobs. In the Printer Control screen:
P - Pause/Unpause(Release) printer control
Del - Delete the current print job
R - Restart the current print job
Q - Quit servicing the current job, reset the PCOUNTER.NLM control for
this printer, and bypass accounting
Space - See more printer status lines, only if more than 24 printers
The current printer is shown with the character; use the Up and Down keys to
select the current printer.
-------------------
Important NLM Notes
-------------------
Each PCOUNTER printer runs as a separate thread of execution on the file
server, as well as the keyboard process. Therefore, pressing a key may not
result in instant screen updates if the printer process is busy.
If you unload PCOUNTER.NLM from the server console, each printer process will
set itself to an idle state before the NLM unloads. If a print job is
currently active, then unloading will take a little longer. A printer process
may appear to be hang occasionally, for example during a TCP connection with
an LPD host. In such a case, it is recommended that you pause the printer
from the PCOUNTER.NLM console and wait for the "Paused" screen message before
unloading the NLM. Otherwise, the file server console command prompt will not
be available to you until the NLM has finished unloading. Remember to press
the P (pause) key only once.
Page 30
--------------
Remote control
--------------
<< EXE >>
In order to use the remote control feature of PCONTROL, a user must be
supervisor equivalent, or be a print server operator. The list of print
servers displayed are those which:
- are logged in
- have a PCOUNTER configuration
- the user has the necessary rights to operate
At this time remote control is limited to one client at a time.
When a client is connected, an asterisk (*) is displayed on the console.
The client can perform any keyboard operation remotely, even if the console
keyboard has been disabled. Therefore, pressing Ctrl-End will cause the
PCOUNTER program to terminate (as it normally would).
Special keys:
Alt-Q : Quit remote session
Alt-R : Reboot remote print server
Alt-H : Help
It is necessary for SPX to be installed on the PCOUNTER station, but not on
the client stations. However, if things don't appear to work correctly
without SPX on the client, then perhaps it would be a good idea to install it.
To enable SPX, include IPXODI or IPXODI D in AUTOEXEC.BAT.
Reaction is not instantaneous - PCOUNTER allocates little time for the remote
control process, so that it can spend more time printing and counting pages.
50 line VGA screens take twice as long to update remotely than their 25 line
counterparts.
Use the provided PCONTROL.PIF under Windows 3.1X. If the necessary background
priority is not provided, then the connection will fail if the DOS session is
not allocated enough time slices. If you insist on pushing a PCONTROL session
to the background in Windows, the connection may be lost. Try adjusting the
PCONTROL.PIF settings if there are problems.
<< NLM >>
Use RCONSOLE.
Page 31
------------
Registration
------------
Each file server license allows you to run as many PCOUNTERs as you require to
be logged in to that file server.
Pricing (In US Dollars):
------------------------
1 file server license - $125.00
Each additional file server license - $ 75.00
PCOUNTER site license - $650.00
Upgrades from PCOUNTER 2.xx (If purchased before March 1, 1995):
----------------------------------------------------------------
- For one maintenance fee of $50, your number of PCOUNTER 2.xx print server
licenses may be upgraded to an equal number of PCOUNTER 3.xx file server
licenses.
- Each additional file server license - $75.00. (Maintenance fee waived.)
- Site license mainenance fee - $150.
Upgrades from PCOUNTER 2.xx (If purchased March 1, 1995 or later):
------------------------------------------------------------------
- Each PCOUNTER 2.xx print server license may be upgraded to 1 PCOUNTER 3.xx
file server license for $50.00.
- Each additional file server license - $75.00.
- Site license upgrades - $250.00.
If you register and later decide that you need more licenses, then you may
order more at the additional network license price.
If you are registering from outside the U.S., please make sure your payment is
cashable at a U.S. bank so that there are no conversion fees. Credit cards are
not accepted at this time although they may be in the future. Purchase orders
are accepted. Please add $10 for wire transfers.
Send payments to: A.N.D. Technologies
P.O. Box 64811
Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
****** NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR REGISTRATION ******
In PCONTROL, File Servers, Register, please note your file server(s) serial
number, and (if shown) IPX internal network number. Also your name, company,
and email address. If you don't include these, it will take longer for you to
receive your registration!
When you register, you will be sent a registration number by E-Mail. Enter
the number in PCONTROL, and PCOUNTER is yours. No diskettes or manuals need
to be sent.
By supporting PCOUNTER now you will be supporting future versions.
Page 32
-----------------
Technical support
-----------------
Technical assistance is available only by email or fax. Email is preferred,
and will result in a faster response. Please feel free to leave questions and
comments at:
Internet: andtech@netcom.com
CompuServe: 71011,3570 or INTERNET:andtech@netcom.com (faster!)
Phone/Fax: (213) 782-6923
If you have a technical problem, please include as much information about your
setup as possible in your communication. In PCONTROL, Print Servers, Create
Summary File, you can generate a complete text description of your print
server's setup, including printers and queues.
--------
Warranty
--------
PCOUNTER is distributed as is, with no warranty implied or otherwise.
Use at your own risk. A.N.D. Technologies is not responsible for your use
or misuse of PCOUNTER.
-------------------
45 Day Trial Period
-------------------
You may use PCOUNTER without restriction for 45 days after your first print
server installation using PCONTROL. To start your 45 day trial period, run
PCONTROL and choose File Servers, Register for each file server you intend to
have PCOUNTER running on. If you have not registered PCOUNTER and the trial
period expires, its use will be limited to 2 hours running time.
------------
Distribution
------------
You may distribute PCOUNTER as part of shareware/software/utility collections
or upload it to other computers. However you may not charge any fees for the
PCOUNTER software except to cover media costs for its shipment. If you do so,
please distribute it in the zip archive PCNTxxxx.ZIP, where xxxx indicates the
revision number; for example, version 3.01B would be distributed in the file
PCNT301B.ZIP.
Page 33
------------------------------------------
How to find the latest version of PCOUNTER
------------------------------------------
Using FTP on the Internet:
ftp.netcom.com - in pub/an/andtech (Always up-to-date)
oak.oakland.edu - in pub/msdos/novell
netlab2.usu.edu - in apps
On CompuServe: in the NOVUSER forum
When PCOUNTER is first uploaded, it will first be placed in New Uploads,
then later moved to Printer Utilities. This forum is also mirrored at
Novell's ftp server - ftp.novell.com, in the directory /netwire/novuser.
The subdirectories (libraries) are then listed by number - 01 is New
Uploads and 06 is Printer Utilities. The ftp mirror supposedly will be
updated weekly. Please note that CompuServe has a limit of 6 characters
per filename, so that PCNT301.ZIP would be truncated to PCNT30.ZIP.
PCOUNTER - Copyright (c) 1992-5 A.N.D. Technologies
-------------------------------------
Other software by A.N.D. Technologies
-------------------------------------
PSPS 3.0 - A POSTSCRIPT PRINTSCREEN UTILITY
Support for text and graphics modes on MDA, CGA, Herc, EGA, MCGA, VGA, and
Super VGA adaptors. Monochrome, reverse monochrome, grayscale, reverse
grayscale, and color PostScript modes. Support for PostScript Level 2.
Optionally print to LPT port, Novell print queue, PostScript File, or EPS file
for integration into other documents.
AWESOME LOGIN 2.1 - A GRAPHICAL NOVELL LOGIN SHELL
Customize your login screens (and discourage hackers and password stealers)
with this graphical login program. It uses Novell's LOGIN.EXE as a secondary
program, so there's no need to rewrite login scripts. Also use it in place of
LOGOUT, so that a pleasant screen always awaits the next user.