[Info-vax] Adding a TCP/IP printer

[Richard B. Gilbert]

Mitch Le wrote:
> I'm new to VAX and VMS.  I have a system running VMS 5.4 that has
> DECnet/DECprint (CPS)/LAT.  I want to add my HP 8150n printer to the
> VMS 5.4.  The printer is currently connected to a 3COM Office Connect
> Ethernet HUB 4C using TCP/IP.  My VAX system is also connected to the
> 3COM Office Connect Ethernet HUB 4C using DECnet.  I do not have the
> TCP/IP capability with my VMS 5.4. Is it possible to get my VMS 5.4 to
> talk to the printer and print?
> 
> Please Help!!!!

If you do not have UCX a/k/a/ TCPIP Services for VMS or an equivalent 
third party package installed, you can't talk to the printer over the 
network!  If you do, telnet to the printer's IP address, port 9100 AIRC 
and type a test message.  End it with <ctrl>L.  The printer should print 
your test message.

The printer does NOT speak DEC proprietary protocols such as DECnet and 
LAT.  Its network capabilities are limited to TCP/IP.  The other 
alternative is to connect it to a PC style parallel port which are 
somewhere between very rare and non-existent on VAX and Alpha!  Some HP 
printers speak some serial protocols and can be plugged into a serial 
port.  Most Laser printers are do not support a serial interface.