Although UNIX workstations are the traditional source of LPR printing, LPR is defined in Internet RFC 1179, and can be implemented on any computer using TCP/IP networking. The growth of Internet, intranet and Open Systems environments means Apple customers will see increasing need to support TCP/IP printing from all computer systems, including mainframes, mini computers, DOS/Windows, and Mac OS systems.
Since most Apple LaserWriter printers accept print jobs transmitted only by AppleTalk, customers often need solutions for getting their print job from a TCP/IP based computer to an AppleTalk-only printer.
There are three possible solutions for printing to an Apple LaserWriter printer using TCP/IP:
- Configure the LaserWriter for TCP/IP printing (LPR)
- TCP/IP - AppleTalk conversion (LPR-PAP)
- Direct Serial or parallel connections
This article also contains a list of LaserWriter printers which cannot be used with a TCP/IP connection.
Solution: Configure the LaserWriter for TCP/IP Printing (LPR)
Apple has provided TCP/IP support in recent, high-end printers. The following models are designed to support TCP/IP printing:
- LaserWriter Pro 810
- LaserWriter 16/600 PS
- Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS
- Color LaserWriter 12/660 PS
- LaserWriter 12/640 PS
- LaserWriter 8500
TCP/IP jobs are received through the Ethernet port. These printers support PostScript, PCL and/or text. Your LaserWriter User's Guide contains complete configuration information.
Some TCP/IP software requires you to enter a socket number. Apple LaserWriters use 515, which is the default number specified by RFC 1179.
The LaserWriter Pro 810 also accepts jobs to arbitrarily defined port numbers.
Solution: TCP/IP - AppleTalk Conversion (LPR-PAP)
If you have a non-TCP/IP LaserWriter, you can translate LPR print jobs to PAP sessions in AppleTalk. This allows you to print with a TCP/IP based system and the printer to receive an AppleTalk print job.
Translation of TCP/IP to AppleTalk is available in several types of products:
Network Hardware
Several vendors have made network hardware products that accept LPR jobs using TCP/IP and forward them as PAP jobs using AppleTalk. Most of these products are no longer manufactured, although you may find them installed in established sites. The only shipping product that Apple is aware of is GatorPrint by Cayman Systems. This package is software that is installed on Cayman routers.
AppleTalk for UNIX Systems
Most AppleTalk software for UNIX systems include print spooling and conversion utilities. Here is a partial list of products:
- Helios Ethershare
- K-Spool from Mt. Xinu.
- uShare from Information Presentation Technologies, Inc.
- CAP (Columbia AppleTalk Package) from Columbia University.
- netatalk from the University of Michigan
AppleTalk on Other Advanced Server Operating Systems
In theory, multi-protocol operating systems such as Novell NetWare, Windows NT, and OS/2 can receive jobs with a TCP/IP spooler and forward them to an AppleTalk based print spooler. We have seen few customers sites with this configuration.
This solution works for the following LaserWriter models:
| Model | Port | Notes |
| LaserWriter (original) | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| LaserWriter Plus | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| LaserWriter IINT | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| LaserWriter IINTX | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| LaserWriter IIf | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| LaserWriter IIg | Ethernet | - |
| Personal LaserWriter NT | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| Personal LaserWriter NTR | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| Personal LaserWriter 320 | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| LaserWriter Select 360 | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
| LaserWriter Pro 600 | LocalTalk | - |
| LaserWriter Pro 630 | Ethernet | - |
| LaserWriter 4/600 | LocalTalk | Must be connected to Ethernet using a LocalTalk-Ethernet bridge |
Note: AppleTalk printing is traditionally define as PostScript only, Apple recommends sending only PostScript over AppleTalk to printers.
Solution: Direct Serial or Parallel Connections
Most Apple LaserWriter models have serial and parallel ports for Windows printing. UNIX (and to a lesser degree Windows NT and Novell NetWare) servers can be configured to receive TCP/IP jobs and spool using a direct connection to the printer.
Connection configuration (serial and parallel) and page description language (text, PostScript, and PCL) vary by LaserWriter model.
Although Apple serial and parallel ports conform to industry standards, these configurations are not supported by Apple Computer, Inc. Apple Technical support may include articles that describe sample configurations for illustrative purposes only.
This class of solutions applies to all the LaserWriters listed in the previous table, as well as the LaserWriter Select 310 printer.
No Solution Available
The following Apple LaserWriter printers do not have a TCP/IP printing solution, due to lack of PostScript and/or PCL support.
- LaserWriter IISC
- Personal LaserWriter LS
- Personal LaserWriter SC
- Personal LaserWriter 300
- LaserWriter Select 300
This article provides information about a non-Apple product. Apple Computer, Inc. is not responsible for its content. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
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