The Remote Console Facility (RCF) is a tool used by network managers and system administrators to support mixed environments, principally DEC's LAT, UNIX's TCP/IP, and Novell's IPX environments. In these environments the network manager can log-in to the print server via the Remote Console Facility to retrieve and modify printer information. When logged-on the network manager can retrieve status, configure, and manage the network printer for the enterprise much like an administrator in those environments would expect to manage other devices on the network. The network manager can log in over IPX, LAT, TCP/IP.
Remote Console Facility is not required in a pure Macintosh environment because necessary Network management functions can be achieved from the Macintosh using the LaserWriter Utility, Vanguard, and Print Monitor utilities. The LaserWriter Utility will be used for printer name changes, Vanguard to support all bin selection and printer resolution options, and Print Monitor to get the status of a LaserWriter on the network.