Digital Equipment RapidPrint 500 User manual

RapidPrint 500
Multiprotocol Micro Server for
Printers
Reference Manual
EK-DSTRP-RM.A01
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

ii
October 1996
© Digital Equipment Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be trans-
mitted or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of Digital Equipment
Corporation. Printed in the United States of America.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: Digital, the DIGITAL logo, LAT, ULTRIX,
and VMS.
EtherTalk is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Pack-
ard Company. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. LaserWriter and
LocalTalk are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. NetBIOS is a trademark of Micro Computer
Systems, Inc. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. SCO is a trademark of
Santa Cruz Operations, Inc. Solaris and Sun are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows 95 are registered trademarks and Windows NT is a trade-
mark of Microsoft Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries,
licensed exclusively through X/Open Country Ltd.
WARNING
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant
to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interfer-
ence when operating in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with this guide, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case the user, at his
or her own expense, will be required to take whatever measures may be required to correct the interfer-
ence.
Warning: Changes or modifications to this device not explicitly approved by Digital Equipment Corpora-
tion will void the user's authority to operate this device.
Cet appareil doit se soumettre avec la section 15 des statuts et règlements de FCC. Le fonctionnement est
subjecté aux conditions suivantes:
1. Cet appareil ne doit pas causer une interférence malfaisante.
2. Cet appareil doît accepter n'importé quelle interférence reìue qui peut causer
une opération indésirable.

iii
Contents
1Introduction
1.1 Protocol Support................................................................................................1-1
1.2 Terms...................................................................................................................1-1
1.3 Server Features...................................................................................................1-2
1.3.1 AppleTalk Support...........................................................................1-2
1.3.2 LAN Manager Support....................................................................1-2
1.3.3 LAT and Digital Compatibility ......................................................1-2
1.3.4 NetWare Support .............................................................................1-2
1.3.5 TCP/IP and UNIX Compatibility..................................................1-2
1.3.6 Small Size...........................................................................................1-2
1.3.7 Easy Configuration ..........................................................................1-2
1.3.8 Command Line Interface................................................................1-2
1.3.9 Host-Initiated Connections.............................................................1-3
1.3.10 Security ............................................................................................1-3
1.3.11 Remote Configuration ...................................................................1-3
1.3.12 SNMP Support................................................................................1-3
1.3.13 Diagnostics ......................................................................................1-3
1.4 How To Use This Manual.................................................................................1-4

iv
2Concepts
2.1 Network Protocols.............................................................................................2-1
2.2 AppleTalk ...........................................................................................................2-2
2.2.1 Addressing ........................................................................................2-2
2.2.2 Zones..................................................................................................2-2
2.2.3 Name Binding Protocol (NBP) .......................................................2-3
2.3 LAN Manager.....................................................................................................2-3
2.3.1 Networking .......................................................................................2-3
2.4 LAT ......................................................................................................................2-4
2.5 TCP/IP ................................................................................................................2-5
2.5.1 IP Addresses......................................................................................2-5
2.5.2 Subnetworks......................................................................................2-5
2.5.3 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) ........................2-5
2.5.4 Reverse Telnet (RTEL).....................................................................2-6
2.5.5 LPR Support......................................................................................2-6
2.5.6 TCP/IP Utilities and Commands...................................................2-7
2.6 LAT and TCP/IP Connection Methods..........................................................2-7
2.7 NetWare ..............................................................................................................2-7
2.7.1 Networking .......................................................................................2-8
2.7.2 Access Lists........................................................................................2-8
2.8 PostScript Notes.................................................................................................2-8
2.9 Remote Configuration.......................................................................................2-9
2.10 Security..............................................................................................................2-9
3Getting Started
3.1 Configuration Methods.....................................................................................3-1
3.1.1 EZCon ................................................................................................3-1
3.1.2 Command Line Interface.................................................................3-2
3.2 Maintenance Issues............................................................................................3-4
3.2.1 Changing the Server Name.............................................................3-4
3.2.2 Rebooting the RapidPrint 500.........................................................3-4
3.2.3 Restoring Factory Defaults..............................................................3-5
3.2.4 Reloading Operational Software....................................................3-5
3.2.5 Editing the Boot Parameters...........................................................3-5
3.2.6 System Passwords............................................................................3-6
3.2.7 Configuration Files...........................................................................3-7

v
4Server Configuration
4.1 Preconfiguring Virtual Ports............................................................................4-1
4.2 AppleTalk Server Parameters..........................................................................4-1
4.3 LAT Server Parameters.....................................................................................4-2
4.3.1 Server Identification.........................................................................4-2
4.3.2 Network Timers................................................................................4-2
4.3.3 Node Limit ........................................................................................4-2
4.4 NetWare Server Parameters.............................................................................4-3
4.4.1 Routing and Encapsulation.............................................................4-3
4.4.2 NetWare Access Lists.......................................................................4-3
4.5 TCP/IP Server Parameters...............................................................................4-4
4.5.1 IP Address .........................................................................................4-4
4.5.2 Other TCP/IP Parameters...............................................................4-4
4.5.3 Host Limit..........................................................................................4-5
4.6 Creating Services................................................................................................4-5
4.6.1 Creating a Simple Service (Such As a Line Printer) ....................4-6
4.6.2 Setting Up a Service With Group Codes.......................................4-6
4.6.3 TCP/Telnet Service Sockets............................................................4-7
4.6.4 Enabling Other Service Options.....................................................4-7
4.7 Security................................................................................................................4-8
4.7.1 SNMP Security..................................................................................4-8
4.8 Quick Reference.................................................................................................4-9
5Ports
5.1 Virtual Ports.......................................................................................................5-1
5.2 General Port Characteristics.............................................................................5-1
5.2.1 Group Numbers................................................................................5-1
5.2.2 Naming Ports....................................................................................5-2
5.3 Automatic Logouts............................................................................................5-2
5.4 Quick Reference.................................................................................................5-3
6AppleTalk Host Setup
6.1 Bitronics Interface..............................................................................................6-1
6.2 Macintosh Service Configuration....................................................................6-2
6.2.1 Using AppleTalk on UNIX or VMS...............................................6-2

vi
6.3 Printing from AppleTalk ..................................................................................6-2
6.3.1 Using LaserPrep ...............................................................................6-2
6.3.2 Printing Bitmap Graphics................................................................6-2
6.4 Troubleshooting Macintosh Printing..............................................................6-3
6.4.1 Error Messages..................................................................................6-4
7LAN Manager Host Setup
7.1 Printing Methods...............................................................................................7-1
7.1.1 Digital Network Port .......................................................................7-1
7.1.2 NetBIOS .............................................................................................7-3
7.2 Windows NT Troubleshooting........................................................................7-4
8LAT Host Setup
8.1 Printing to an Application Port .......................................................................8-1
8.2 Printing to a Service...........................................................................................8-2
8.3 Printing Using DCPS Software........................................................................8-3
8.4 The ets$configd Download Server..................................................................8-3
8.5 VMS Printer Troubleshooting..........................................................................8-4
9NetWare Host Setup
9.1 Access Lists.........................................................................................................9-1
9.2 Printing................................................................................................................9-1
9.2.1 Creating NDS Print Queues............................................................9-2
9.2.2 Creating Bindery Print Queues......................................................9-4
9.2.3 Configuring Rprinter.......................................................................9-8
9.2.4 Printing PCL From NetWare........................................................9-13
9.2.5 Printing PostScript From NetWare..............................................9-13
9.3 Troubleshooting...............................................................................................9-13
9.3.1 QINST Print Queue Troubleshooting..........................................9-13
9.3.2 NDS Print Queue Troubleshooting .............................................9-14
10 UNIX Host Setup
10.1 Selecting A Printing Method........................................................................10-1
10.2 LPR...................................................................................................................10-2
10.2.1 Notes about LPR...........................................................................10-3
10.2.2 LPR on AIX Hosts.........................................................................10-4

vii
10.2.3 LPR on HP Hosts..........................................................................10-5
10.2.4 LPR on SCO UNIX Hosts............................................................10-6
10.2.5 LPR on Sun Solaris Hosts............................................................10-7
10.2.6 LPR on ULTRIX Hosts.................................................................10-8
10.2.7 LPR on Windows NT Hosts........................................................10-8
10.3 Reverse Telnet (RTEL)...................................................................................10-9
10.3.1 Components of RTEL.................................................................10-10
10.3.2 Installing Reverse Telnet Software ..........................................10-10
10.3.3 Queueing with the RTEL Software..........................................10-11
10.3.4 Setting up the RTEL Backend Filter.........................................10-12
10.3.5 Setting up the RTEL Named Pipe Daemon............................10-14
10.3.6 RTEL Troubleshooting...............................................................10-18
10.4 TCP Socket Connections.............................................................................10-18
10.5 PostScript Configuration ............................................................................10-18
11 Command Reference
ATechnical Support
BGlossary of Terms
Index

viii

1Introduction
1.1 Protocol Support ...............................................................................................................1-1
1.2 Terms ..................................................................................................................................1-1
1.3 Server Features..................................................................................................................1-2
1.3.1 AppleTalk Support ......................................................................................1-2
1.3.2 LAN Manager Support ...............................................................................1-2
1.3.3 LAT and Digital Compatibility..................................................................1-2
1.3.4 NetWare Support.........................................................................................1-2
1.3.5 TCP/IP and UNIX Compatibility..............................................................1-2
1.3.6 Small Size ......................................................................................................1-2
1.3.7 Easy Configuration......................................................................................1-2
1.3.8 Command Line Interface ...........................................................................1-2
1.3.9 Host-Initiated Connections.........................................................................1-3
1.3.10 Security........................................................................................................1-3
1.3.11 Remote Configuration...............................................................................1-3
1.3.12 SNMP Support ...........................................................................................1-3
1.3.13 Diagnostics..................................................................................................1-3
1.4 How To Use This Manual................................................................................................1-4


Introduction Protocol Support
1 - 1
1 - Introduction
The RapidPrint 500 is a multi-protocol print server that provides shared network access to printers
for a variety of network protocols and operating systems.
1.1 Protocol Support
The RapidPrint 500 supports five industry-standard network protocols:
•AppleTalk
AppleTalk allows networked Apple Macintosh computers to see devices attached to
the RapidPrint 500 and access them as they would any networked printer.
• LAN Manager
LAN Manager allows devices attached to the RapidPrint 500 to access networked
printers. Systems running OS/2 and Windows NT can access the devices using the
Digital Network Port for Windows NT or the NetBIOS protocol.
•Local Area Transport (LAT)
LAT is a protocol developed by Digital for local network terminal connections and is
supported on almost all Digital operating systems. It provides host-initiated print
spooling.
•IPX/SPX (NetWare)
NetWare allows devices attached to the RapidPrint 500 to act as networked printers.
The RapidPrint 500 supports all NetWare frame types: Ethernet v2, Native Mode
(802.3), 802.2, and 802.2 SNAP. In addition, it supports both Bindery mode and Net-
Ware Directory Service (NDS).
•TCP/IP
Support includes Telnet, Rlogin, and the LPR and RTEL printing systems.
1.2 Terms
In this manual, the following terms are used to describe parts of a network. See the Glossary of
Terms for more detailed explanations of these terms.
host A computer, sometimes referred to as a CPU, attached to the network.
The term host generally denotes interactive computers, or computers that
users can log into.
node Any intelligent device directly connected to the Ethernet network and
having have its own Ethernet addresses, such as a host, an Ethernet
printer, or a terminal or print server. Devices connected to the RapidPrint
500 are not nodes.
service A resource that can be accessed locally or via the network. For example, a
host is a service to which terminals can connect. The RapidPrint 500 can
offer attached printers to the network as services.
Local mode The RapidPrint 500 user interface, which is used to issue configuration
and session management commands and establish sessions with services.

Server Features Introduction
1 - 2
1.3 Server Features
1.3.1 AppleTalk Support
The RapidPrint 500 provides Ethernet access to attached laser printers; RapidPrint 500 print ser-
vices appear in the Macintosh Chooser window like any other printer on the network. Note that
bidirectional communication, either a serial or IEEE 1284 parallel interface, is required for this
functionality.
1.3.2 LAN Manager Support
The RapidPrint 500 can be configured to appear as a print node to other LAN Manager nodes.
Supported systems include OS/2, Windows NT, and Windows 95.
1.3.3 LAT and Digital Compatibility
The RapidPrint 500 supports LAT and TSM/NCP, making it fully compatible with most Digital
operating environments.
1.3.4 NetWare Support
The RapidPrint 500 is used primarily for print serving. The RapidPrint 500 can also be configured
and logged into from a NetWare fileserver, and can function as a print node for other NetWare file-
servers.
1.3.5 TCP/IP and UNIX Compatibility
Almost all UNIX systems support Telnet, an established industry standard. Telnet can be used for
logging into the server to issue configuration commands. UNIX systems generally implement
Rlogin as well, unless security considerations dictate that it be disabled at a particular site.
1.3.6 Small Size
The small, attractive case is designed to fit into any office environment. Because there is no inter-
nal fan, the RapidPrint 500 operates silently.
1.3.7 Easy Configuration
The EZCon utility (provided on CD-ROM) allows users to configure the RapidPrint 500 from a
Macintosh, PC, or UNIX machine as well as configure NetWare print queues without having to
use PCONSOLE. It also allows remote host logins into the RapidPrint 500, which are similar to Tel-
net and LAT logins.
1.3.8 Command Line Interface
A simple but powerful command interface is provided for both users and system managers. The
RapidPrint 500 operating code is downloaded automatically at power-up, making software
upgrades as easy as copying a file. The RapidPrint 500 stores its operating software permanently
on-board, so it does not need to download code unless new versions become available. Servers can
also be configured to request a downloaded configuration file at boot time.

Introduction Server Features
1 - 3
The Command Reference chapter of this reference manual describes the commands available in the
RapidPrint 500’s local command line mode. These commands control port and server configura-
tion.
NOTE: See the Command Reference for more information on the command line and com-
mand recall features.
1.3.9 Host-Initiated Connections
The RapidPrint 500 may be configured to provide its attached devices as services to other nodes,
allowing hosts to share printers. AppleTalk, LAN Manager, LAT, NetWare, and TCP/IP hosts can
queue jobs to RapidPrint 500 services simultaneously. The optional RTEL host software provides
both printer backend access and a named pipe interface to the RapidPrint 500 from TCP/IP hosts.
1.3.10 Security
The RapidPrint 500 includes several configurable security features. They include:
• Group codes, which allow the RapidPrint 500 to act as a filter to limit
the user’s knowledge of, and access to, specific services.
• Automatic logouts of sessions when a port is disconnected or when a
device is turned off.
• Password protection for privileges, ports, services, maintenance com-
mands, and the remote console.
1.3.11 Remote Configuration
The RapidPrint 500 can be logged into and remotely configured using one of the following meth-
ods:
• Digital’s NCP and TSM facilities
• The Telnet console port, similar to the NCP remote console
• The network login feature, which allows managers to log into the
RapidPrint 500 via TCP/IP, LAT, and NetWare using EZCon.
• EZCon, a configuration application that runs on Windows, NetWare,
AppleTalk, and UNIX clients
1.3.12 SNMP Support
The RapidPrint 500 supports the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). SNMP can be
used by network managers to monitor network load and error conditions. No enterprise-specific
MIBs are supplied.
1.3.13 Diagnostics
Power-up and interactive diagnostics help system managers troubleshoot network and serial line
problems.

How To Use This Manual Introduction
1 - 4
1.4 How To Use This Manual
The rest of the chapters in this manual describe the features and commands of the RapidPrint 500.
Information is broken down as follows:
•Chapter 2,Concepts, explains the basic ideas behind RapidPrint 500
operation.
•Chapter 3,Getting Started, explains available configuration methods, as
well as steps needed for reconfiguration and maintenance operation.
•Chapter 4,Server Configuration, explains server-wide configuration
options, including protocol-specific configuration and security issues.
•Chapter 5,Ports, details the port-specific configuration options.
•Chapter 6 covers the setup needed for AppleTalk hosts to use the
RapidPrint 500.
•Chapter 7 covers LAN Manager host setup needed for printing to the
RapidPrint 500.
•Chapter 8 explains how to set up a VMS host for LAT printing.
•Chapter 9 details the NetWare fileserver setup needed for printing.
•Chapter 10 explains how to set up a UNIX host for LPR and RTEL
printing.
•Chapter 11,Command Reference, lists the RapidPrint 500 command set
in detail, including syntax, options, errors, examples, and where to find
related information.
NOTE: Installation and cabling are covered in the Configuration Guide.

2Concepts
2.1 Network Protocols............................................................................................................2-1
2.2 AppleTalk...........................................................................................................................2-2
2.2.1 Addressing....................................................................................................2-2
2.2.2 Zones..............................................................................................................2-2
2.2.3 Name Binding Protocol (NBP)...................................................................2-3
2.3 LAN Manager....................................................................................................................2-3
2.3.1 Networking...................................................................................................2-3
2.4 LAT .....................................................................................................................................2-4
2.5 TCP/IP................................................................................................................................2-5
2.5.1 IP Addresses .................................................................................................2-5
2.5.2 Subnetworks.................................................................................................2-5
2.5.3 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)....................................2-5
2.5.4 Reverse Telnet (RTEL).................................................................................2-6
2.5.5 LPR Support..................................................................................................2-6
2.5.6 TCP/IP Utilities and Commands ..............................................................2-7
2.6 LAT and TCP/IP Connection Methods.........................................................................2-7
2.7 NetWare .............................................................................................................................2-7
2.7.1 Networking...................................................................................................2-8
2.7.2 Access Lists...................................................................................................2-8
2.8 PostScript Notes................................................................................................................2-8
2.9 Remote Configuration......................................................................................................2-9
2.10 Security.............................................................................................................................2-9


Concepts Network Protocols
2 - 1
2 - Concepts
The RapidPrint 500 supports incoming connections to services, such as printer support.
Services are the basic method of connecting to the RapidPrint 500 from any host or another server.
In general, a service is required on the RapidPrint 500 before any job or connection queueing will
take place. See the Server Configuration chapter for details on creating and using services on the
RapidPrint 500.
2.1 Network Protocols
A network protocol describes the data contained in Ethernet packets. The network protocols pro-
vided by the RapidPrint 500 are completely separate, other than the use of the Ethernet data layer.
The following figure shows the protocol stacks supported by the RapidPrint 500.
Figure 2-1: RapidPrint 500 Network Protocols
There are three different “Ethernet” frame formats, one of which is subdivided:
• What is typically called “Ethernet” is technically referred to as Ethernet
v2. This is the default frame type for most TCP/IP, LAT, and MOP/
NCP protocol stacks. It can also be used for NetWare.
• The IEEE 802.3 frame format comes with either a regular or SNAP SAP
(Service Access Point). AppleTalk uses the SNAP format by default.
Both types can be used by NetWare.
• NetWare 2.x and 3.x stations, by default, do not use any of these frame
types. They use a “native mode” format that is being phased out.
AppleTalk LAN Manager LAT NetWare TCP/IP
Printer Access
Protocol SMB LAT NCP Telnet/ Rlogin/
RTEL/ lpd
ATP NetBEUI SPX TCP
DDP IPX IP
Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 Data Layer

AppleTalk Concepts
2 - 2
2.2 AppleTalk
AppleTalk is a protocol used primarily by Apple Macintoshes to access network resources such as
file servers and printers. AppleTalk is also available for UNIX, NetWare, and other operating sys-
tems. The AppleTalk protocol can be run over Ethernet (EtherTalk), Token Ring (TokenTalk), or
LocalTalk, which is a medium speed network type built into every Macintosh. These various net-
work media can be connected with AppleTalk routers to allow all nodes to communicate with one
another. The AppleTalk protocol supports features such as file sharing and security in addition to
printing.
The RapidPrint 500 supports only the Printer Access Protocol (PAP) and therefore cannot create
outgoing AppleTalk sessions—only incoming print requests are accepted. Any services on the
RapidPrint 500 with AppleTalk enabled will show up as LaserWriters in Macintosh Chooser win-
dows and are associated with an available zone (explained in Zones, below). Users who select the
RapidPrint 500 service as their LaserWriter and then print will have their jobs forwarded to the
RapidPrint 500 for printing, or for queueing if the print port on the RapidPrint 500 is in use or oth-
erwise unavailable.
AppleTalk printing is different from printing in other protocols. There are standard Macintosh
drivers provided for specific Apple printer types, such as LaserWriters and ImageWriters, but
there are no plain ASCII line printers by default. ASCII jobs are converted into PostScript (for laser
printers) or bitmaps (for ImageWriters) when printed. For this reason, only laser printer devices
are supported by the RapidPrint 500 under AppleTalk.
In addition, the Macintosh client will need to query the printer about status, so only laser printers
that will reply to these interactive PostScript requests can be used. The RapidPrint 500 parallel
port supports Bitronics mode, provided the attached laser printer also implements it.
2.2.1 Addressing
AppleTalk provides for dynamic node addressing, allowing a node to choose its address at boot
time. It will send network packets to the other nodes to avoid choosing a node ID already in use. A
node can also discover its network number by listening for AppleTalk router broadcasts; if none
are heard, a default network number is chosen. The RapidPrint 500 will save discovered zone/net-
work/node ID triplets in permanent memory, reducing traffic at reboot time, although the Rapid-
Print 500’s AppleTalk address may change across boots in response to any network changes.
Network numbers are configured in the routers, so the only AppleTalk configuration supported
by the RapidPrint 500 is the specification of a zone name other than the default. Due to the gener-
ally non-configurable nature of AppleTalk, most AppleTalk devices are truly “plug-and-play”—
they can be powered up and are used right out of the box.
2.2.2 Zones
Zones are arbitrary groupings of AppleTalk nodes used to organize resources into groups that are
easier for users to understand. For example, a college may organize zones around departments,
for example, Math Department and Physics Department. Zones allow users to sift through large
numbers of nodes by choosing those groups they are familiar with regardless of the organization
of the network. In general, zones need not have a correlation to physical or network location, thus
any node can declare itself a member of any single zone.
Zones, like nodes, originate from and are configured on AppleTalk routers. One zone on each net-
work will be chosen by the router as the default zone. If there are no AppleTalk routers on the net-
work, there will be only one zone, the default zone, of which all nodes are members. If no zone

Concepts LAN Manager
2 - 3
name has been previously defined on the RapidPrint 500, or if the defined zone is no longer valid,
the RapidPrint 500 will join the default zone and no other configuration is needed. The RapidPrint
500 can be placed in a different zone with the Define Protocols AppleTalk command. Each time
the RapidPrint 500 is booted, or when its zone is changed, it will verify the zone name with a
router.
2.2.3 Name Binding Protocol (NBP)
NBP is used by AppleTalk to advertise resources, such as printers and fileservers, to the network.
Any resource that other users can access will have NBP information that must be communicated
to other nodes. The items in the Chooser windows reflect the various NBP resources that are visi-
ble on the network.
NBP and the Chooser organize resources by three levels: name, type, and zone. Names are arbi-
trary strings assigned by users, such as Kathy or MyPrinter. Types are generic classes of resources,
such as Macintosh IIci, and LaserWriter. Zones, mentioned above, are collections of nodes on the
network. Typical Macintosh NBP information might be [Kathy, Macintosh IIci, Accounting] for the
name, type and zone, respectively. A service offered by the RapidPrint 500 called MyPrinter that
had AppleTalk enabled and is located in the Engineering zone would have an NBP description of
[MyPrinter, LaserWriter, Engineering]. If LaserWriter resources in the Engineering zone were
selected in the Chooser, one of the resources shown would be the MyPrinter service offered by the
RapidPrint 500. The Chooser sends out queries whenever a new zone or resource type is selected.
NOTE: If an expected RapidPrint 500 service is absent, there is a configuration problem
somewhere.
The NBP type LaserWriter designates a PostScript printer, so nodes printing to printers of type
LaserWriter assume that the printer supports PostScript. Care must be taken to attach only Post-
Script printers to RapidPrint 500 services with AppleTalk enabled, and to disable AppleTalk on
services that do not support PostScript printers. It is not possible to print to non PostScript print-
ers (for example, ImageWriters) from a Macintosh via the RapidPrint 500.
2.3 LAN Manager
LAN Manager is used by several PC-based operating systems, notably OS/2, Windows NT, and
Windows for Workgroups, although LAN Manager servers have been written for HP and Sun
workstations. LAN Manager is based on the NetBIOS protocol. The RapidPrint 500 implements
only enough of the NetBIOS protocol stack to provide print services to nodes; no interactive logins
are allowed.
The RapidPrint 500 also implements the straightforward and easy to use DLC printer protocol
typically used by HP laser printers. DLC operation is only supported under Windows NT. DLC
does not provide queueing on the RapidPrint 500, nor does it allow printing to more than one
RapidPrint 500 service. You must select the hardware address of the RapidPrint 500 as the target
for the print job.
2.3.1 Networking
NetBIOS is not a routable protocol, so the RapidPrint 500 can only communicate with local nodes
or nodes that are accessible via a gateway capable of bridging the NetBIOS data.
LAN Manager node lookups take a text resource name and resolve it into a hardware address. For
this reason, node and resource names must be unique on the network, and the RapidPrint 500 will
print an error message if any configuration that violates this rule is attempted.

LAT Concepts
2 - 4
2.4 LAT
Digital Equipment Corporation’s LAT (Local Area Transport) networking software is designed to
ease the process of accessing and managing local area networks. LAT software is built around the
concept of services. A service may be provided by a dedicated device, such as a printer, or by a
network host. A device that offers one or more services, such as the RapidPrint 500, is a node.
In general, all services offered by the RapidPrint 500 are associated with a port; exceptions to this
rule will be noted later.
Nodes advertise their services to the network by broadcasting occasional messages about them.
These messages, referred to as multicasts, contain the node’s name and its list of services. By mon-
itoring multicast messages, all hosts on the network know what nodes and services are available
and can provide this information to their interactive users. The Show Services and Show Nodes
commands display this information.
LAT multicast messages contain a rating for each service offered. Ratings range from 0 to 255; 0
means the service is unavailable, while 255 means the service is available and has no current users.
Ratings for a given service may change over time. For example, the rating for a computer accept-
ing logins will generally change as its workload changes. Conversely, ratings for a modem are typ-
ically either 0 (in use) or 255 (not in use). In the example above, the server with eight modems
attached will continue to advertise that the service “modem” is available (a 255 rating) until all
eight modems are in use (a 0 rating).
Service ratings may concern even casual users, since they are used to determine which service a
user will be connected to whenever there is a choice. For example, if a user types Connect Hub
and five nodes offer service hub, the user will be connected to the least busy node automatically.
In the case mentioned above, where both the local RapidPrint 500 and a remote node offered the
same service, the ratings determine which node will service the connect attempt.
The other major network management feature of LAT is the concept of service groups. The Rapid-
Print 500 parallel port and each service on the network can be thought of as belonging to one or
more groups. When a user or device requests a service connection, the LAT host will check to see if
the groups to which the requester belongs match those of the requested service. If any group num-
ber is common to both the requester and the service, the connection attempt continues. If there are
no common group numbers, the connection attempt fails. Note that there may be additional access
restrictions on the service, such as password protection.
NOTE: See the Set/Define Port Authorized Groups and Set/Define Server Service Groups
commands for more information.
Group numbers also are useful to nodes because each node only needs to pay attention to multi-
casts that involve its users’ groups. As a result, groups can hide services that would otherwise be
visible. The server manager can also hide services from a set of ports. Setting up and managing
services and groups is discussed in more detail in the Server Configuration chapter.
LAT is significantly different from other protocols in two important ways. First, LAT is not
routable. There is no way to divide LAT networks into smaller subnetworks and use routers to
reduce traffic between nodes. Second, LAT is a timer-driven protocol. Packets are expected at cer-
tain intervals, and the protocol cannot adapt to slow network links dynamically. For these reasons,
LAT traffic over wide areas is typically carried inside (or encapsulated in) TCP/IP or IPX/SPX
packets. The latter two protocols are fully routable, and can handle wide-area, slow network links.
NOTE: If LAT is bridged across slow links, session time-outs and errors are very likely.
Table of contents
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