AIX Printer

Create an InfoPrint actual destination to represent a printer that receives untransformed data streams through an AIX backend (printer driver), just as a printer being driven by an AIX queue would do. The actual destination submits jobs to the printer through the AIX backend program that is defined on the printer command.

Before creating an AIX printer, complete this worksheet.

AIX printer worksheet

Wizard prompt Description Value
Name The name for the actual destination object.  
Server The InfoPrint server that controls this actual destination.  
Model

This single-valued attribute indicates the make and model of the printer device represented by the AIX actual destination.

Examples from the predef directory:

  • hplj-3si
  • lexOptraN

Select the printer model from the drop-down list in the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI or enter a value.

Example from the drop-down list: InfoPrint 2190

If you are not using a predefined printer model, the first time you enter a value that matches the file prefix of a colon file, InfoPrint Manager dynamically retrieves the printer model from the colon file and adds it to the aix-destination-models server attribute. The aix-destination-models are also added to the AIX DSS actual destination creation wizard drop-down list for further utilization on that server. If you want the new printer model to be displayed in the GUI drop-down list of all the available servers on the same system, you can either create one AIX actual destination on each server using the same colon file or restart each server.

Consult aix-destination-models server attribute to check for additional printer models dynamically supported by InfoPrint Manager.

The value you specify must match the file prefix of a file in the /usr/lpd/pio/predef directory. For example, one of the files for a InfoPrint 2190 printer is ip2190.ps. Therefore, the value you specify is ip2190.

Note: Specifying the predef format is optional for InfoPrint printers that appear in the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI drop-down list, but it is required for all other printers. 1
SNMP TCP/IP address The IP address used to access this printer. This value is used only for SNMP printers.  
Device The AIX device name. Leave this column blank.
Printer command

The printer command that submits a job to this destination. Include the full path name for the AIX print driver that came with your model printer.

This full path name is the command that would appear in the /etc/qconfig file if you had created an AIX queue for your printer.

As an alternative, you could use the IBM-supplied pioinfo or piorpdm AIX printer backend and supply the correct port number to make sure you get accurate job completion and accounting information2.

 Examples3
Logical destination The logical destination that directs jobs to this actual destination.

You can accept the default LD, use another existing LD, or create a new one for this printer.
  • __ Default
  • __ Existing: ________
  • __ Create: ________
Logical destination's server The InfoPrint server that contains the logical destination.  
Queue The queue that holds jobs destined for this actual destination. If you selected a new LD, you get these three options:
  • __ Default
  • __ Existing: ________
  • __ New: ________
    Note:
  1. Regardless of whether you enter a value or pick a model from the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI drop-down list, the printer driver (including the predef files) must be installed on your AIX system.
  2. InfoPrint Manager provides modified AIX printer backend programs that provide accurate job completion information and an accurate count of the pages printed: /usr/lib/lpd/pio/etc/piorpdmipaddress port, and /usr/lib/lpd/pio/etc/pioinfoipaddress port where ipaddress port defaults to 9100, which is the port used by non-InfoPrint printers.

    To get this function with the Ricoh printers, you must use the /usr/lib/lpd/pio/etc/piorpdmipaddress port printer driver, which is available for download here: InfoPrint Manager AIX Driver Support for Ricoh Printers, where ipaddress port defaults to 9100.

    The use of port is optional.

  3. You can specify a variety of printer commands, depending upon the type of printer:
    • JetDirect-attached printer: /usr/lib/lpd/pio/etc/pioinfomyhp.bldev.infoprint.com9100

      You can also specify /usr/lib/lpd/pio/etc/piojetd followed by the IP address.

    • Markvision-attached printer: /usr/markvision/bin/lexbe -h optra.bldev.infoprint.com -p 0 -W 1 -T no END
  4. Some printer models might print additional blank pages at the end of the jobs. To avoid printing these blank pages, set the destination-pass-through attribute to _Z=!

To create this type of printer, use the Create Printer Wizard in the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI. (On the menu bar, click Printer → Create → AIX.)

AIX printer worksheet provides the information that the wizard prompts for. See the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI online help for more assistance.

Note: If the Create AIX printer option is not shown in the Printer menu, you can add it to the menu using the customize options in the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI. Select the Customize option from the Options menu to open the Customize dialog. Click the Printer tab and select the Menu checkbox for AIX printer. Click OK to apply your change and close the dialog. The Create AIX printer option displays in the Printer menu.

If you did not enable the printer with the Create Printer Wizard, use the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI to enable it.

Parent topic: Creating actual destinations with the InfoPrint Manager Administration GUI