Using Remote SpoolPrint, AS/400, S/38 and S/36 machines can send and receive spool entries to/from other systems. S/370 can receive spool entries from other systems. Multiple remote systems and multiple devices within each remote system can send, receive and print spool files at the same time. The user can specify outqs (S/38 or AS/400) or printer IDs (S/36) to be transmitted to the remote system. Remote SpoolPrint monitors the local outq/printer ID and transmits available entries to the specified remote system printer(s). There is no limit to the number of concurrently active remote printing tasks (Remote Writers) on a source or target system.

Remote SpoolPrint uses IBM's Advanced Program to Program Communications (APPC) to communicate with the remote system. It can also participate in the IBM Advanced Peer to Peer Network (APPN) or TCP/IP. The remote system can be connected by leased phone line (point-to-point or multipoint), a dial-up phone line, or other common communications facilities. Other communications equipment, such as remote control units, may be defined on the same line. Other system software, such as display station pass thru, may share the same line on both the source and target systems.


Remote Writer Features:
With Remote SpoolPrint, there are several options available to the user when setting up a Remote Writer. Each can be tailored differently, and changed as desired, adding flexibility to the user remote spool network.

Totally Automatic: When a spool file entry becomes available in a source outq/printer ID, the Remote Writer assigned to the outq/printer ID will automatically transmit the spool file to the specified remote printer(s). Transmission of eligible spool files will continue automatically until a cancel command is issued to the Remote Writer. After a spool entry is transmitted to the remote system, it is automatically removed from the source system (unless the spool file has an attribute of *SAVE).

Transparent To User Applications: No user application programming changes are needed. Simply define an outq/printer ID for each remote printer . Remote SpoolPrint will do the rest.

Tracking and Accounting: Remote Writers can optionally write a log entry for each spool entry transferred to remote systems. Logged spool entries can be queried by users, The date/time sent, Remote Writer, from/to outq and attributes are included in the data collected.

Spool File Attributes Transmitted Include: Number of copies, forms ID, lines per inch, characters per inch, output priority, lines per page, overflow line, font ID, and drawer, and others.

Data Compress/Decompress: Data is compressed by the source system and decompressed by the target system, reducing line usage. Repetitive characters are compressed into one repetition character.

Supports TCP: Users can use TCP/IP transmit spool entries between AS/400s. Secure Socket Layer can be used. Automatic error detection and correction using standard CRC is performed.

Automatic Line Error Recovery: Remote SpoolPrint verifies each transmission occurs correctly. If a transmission error occurs, it will periodically attempt to retransmit the spool entry to the remote system until it succeeds. The period of time between recovery attempts can be set by the user.

Forms Translation Option: AS/400 and S/38 allow up to ten (10) character forms ID, whereas S/36 supports only up to four (4) character forms ID. Therefore, Remote SpoolPrint will optionally translate the spool file's forms ID before transmission. The user can specify a forms translation table to define the translation scheme.

Font ID Translation: Remote SpoolPrint will optionally translate font IDs during transmission. User can specify a font translation table.

S/370 FCB Translation: Remote SpoolPrint will translate S/3X LPI and LPP attributes into a load Forms Control Buffer command when transferring to S/370.

Archive Transmitted Spool Entries: Remote SpoolPrint, if desired, can automatically move transmitted spool entries to another outq.

Send One Report To Multiple Printers: Remote SpoolPrint can print a single report on multiple printers if desired.

No Need For Maintenance: Due to Remote SpoolPrint architecture, there is never any need to perform periodic maintenance, reorganization, etc.

Remote Media Distribution: Remote SpoolPrint can be distributed electronically and installed/maintained remotely by a centralized staff.