Submit Methods
Submit Queue via LPR Printer
FormTrap Server supports the Line Printer (LP) protocol by acting as an LP Daemon (LPD) where it acts like a printer. The LP protocol is a special way of printing data across a TCP/IP network and is most commonly found on UNIX systems, although it is supported by all major network operating systems, including AS/400.
The LP protocol enables you to print a document located on one machine to a printer attached to another machine on the network (a network printer).
More information on Configuring Data Input of the Queue
More information on Line Printer Setup
Printing from UNIX applications
LPR printers act as redirection tools so applications can print to the FormTrap Server queues. Before creating your LPR printers, create the corresponding FormTrap queues. The name(s) of the FormTrap queue(s) are used when creating the LPR port.
More Information on Creating a FormTrap Server Queue
The following table splits the different UNIX-based platforms on
which FormTrap runs according to their basic printing subsystem. Use
the table below as a reference guide when setting up Unix Systems
for use with FormTrap.
| BSD | System V | |
| Linux (others are mainly obsolete) | SCO Open Server | |
| FreeBSD (Linux Binary) | SCO Unix Ware | |
| HP/Compaq/DEC Tru64 Sun Solaris | Sun Solaris | |
| |
HPUX |
IBM AIX is a special case and does not fall under either category.
Please contact us to configure FormTrap to run on
IBM AIX.
For a BSD UNIX print subsystem:
| Description of steps | Commands |
| Define the print queue Define a print queue headed to the remote lpr
queue created in FormTrap. Printers are defined in the file /etc/printcap.
Different X-Windows systems will provide programs to interface
to the printcap file for ease of editing. These instructions
assume that the file is edited using a simple command line
editor such as pico or vi. Insert the commands in the right
column into the print cap file:This creates a local print queue named ftqueue, headed for the remote print queue (rp=) ftqueue
on the remote machine (rm=) nt_server.The path /var/spool/lpd/ftqueue on the right may
be incorrect depending on the system settings. Copy the path
from another entry if possible, or see man lpr,
which should tell you your UNIX normal path. You may also need
to manually create the directory /var/spool/lpd/ftqueue.
Use existing entries as a guide.Print to this Queue |
ftqueue:\ |
| To print to this queue use the command: | lp -p -lmyfile |
For a System V UNIX print subsystem:
| Description of steps | Commands |
| Configure your PATH environment variable: | PATH=$PATH:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin |
| Shut down the print subsystem: | lpshut |
| Create the print queue: This creates local print queue named ftqueue
headed for the remote print queue (rp=) ftqueue
on the remote machine (rm=) nt_server. |
lpadmin -pftqueue -v/dev/null -mrmodel -icmrcmodel
-osmrsmodel -ob3 -ormnt_server -orpftqueueThis should be typed as one long line. |
| Enable the new queue for use: | enable ftqueueaccept ftqueueEnsure that you are running the program /usr/bin/enable
and not a shell built-in of the same name. |
| Bring the print subsystem back up: | lpsched |
| To view and check the configuration and status of this
queue: Print to this Queue |
lpstat -pftqueue |
| To print to this queue use the command: | lp -dftqueue myfile |
Configuring Printers in your Application
Once you have created the LPR printers you must then create printers in your application to directly output data to these "virtual printers".
To configure the printer in your application:
- In the printer setup of your program, create new printers to direct output to FormTrap. These should have a meaningful name, or use the same name as the "virtual" printer defined above.
- More information on Printing from Windows Applications
- For each printer, the device path settings must point to the appropriate LPR printer just created.
Printing from Windows Applications
In Windows-based systems (Windows 7 and upward) create an LPR printer port for Windows applications to be able to "print" jobs to an LP Server. These printers act as redirection tools so that applications can print to the FormTrap Server queues. It will help to think of them as "Virtual" printers as they have no direct connection to a physical printer.
Before creating your LPR printers it is necessary to create the corresponding FormTrap Server queues. The name(s) of the FormTrap Server queues(s) will be used when creating the LPR port.
More information on Creating a FormTrap Server Queue
Install your LPR Port (make sure you have Administrator rights before these instructions):
- Select Start, Control Panel, Programs and Functions.
- From the left bar, select Turn Windows features on or off. This takes at least a few seconds to load.
- From Windows Features, expand the entry Print and Document Services, then tick LPR Port Monitor. This may take several seconds to respond.
-
- Close the Programs and Features selection, back to the Start menu.
Add your TCP/IP Printer:
- Select Devices and Printers from the Start menu.
- Select Add a printer, then Add a local printer.
- From Chose a printer port, select Create a new port, then LPR Port from the pull down. Press Next.
- The Add compatible LPR printer DB appears on top of the above. To Name or address of server providing lpd, reply LocalHost if the server is this machine or reply with that machine's IP address or name. IP Address is the 4 groups of three digits (111.000.000.001) or the IP name of that server.
- Name of the printer or print queue on that server, respond with FormTrap Server queue name (we recommend using FTServ_IPQ, maximum of 12 characters, no embedded spaces).
- Close back to Start menu, then stop and start this computer to action the changes.