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From: lim@gate.sinica.edu.tw (Carmay Lim)
Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.misc,comp.os.ms-windows.networking.tcp-ip,comp.os.os2.networking.tcp-ip,comp.periphs.printers,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.networking,comp.sys.sgi.apps,comp.sys.sgi.hardware,comp.unix.aix
Subject: Advice sought for PostScript printer in heterogenous TCP/IP network
Date: 2 Feb 1995 11:06:29 GMT
Organization: Computing Center, Academia Sinica
Lines: 41
Message-ID: <3gqebl$k5j@gate.sinica.edu.tw>
NNTP-Posting-Host: lim%@gate.sinica.edu.tw
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]
Hello netters,
I am in the process of setting up a cluster of compute servers,
workstations and a 486-based X terminals. The machines are all spec'd
out now, and now I need some recommendations for a good network
printer. The requirements are as follows:
* AIX 3.2.5/4.x, IRIX 6.x, FreeBSD 2.0, Windows 3.1 and OS/2 Warp
must all be able to drive the printer
* PostScript compatibility is a definite must
* only one paper tray required, but must be able to handle letter
and A4-sized paper
* something in the range of 12 ppm would be nice
* 600 dpi with some sort of resolution enhancement would be nice
* less than $2000
Does anyone have experience setting up a print server in a
heterogenous network like this? My first inclination would be to
attach the printer directly to one of the PC's. This would eliminate
any hassles of trying to get Windows and Warp to print to a network
printer. But this means that the printer will not be available to
the rest of the network in the meantime. The computing services
department here uses Novell for their PC network, and may not be able
to help in integrating a Windows/Warp box into a UNIX network. Does
one platform lend itself better than another to being a print server?
Who else besides HP should I consider? Apple? QMS? Epson? Any
thoughts on an HP LaserJet 4MP in a situation like this? The printer
will be used for printing TeX documents (mostly text-based stuff like
papers, grant proposals, etc.) as well as text/graphic figures onto
overhead transparencies for presentations and seminars.
I looked through some of the newsgroups and associated FAQ's, and
noticed there is a commercial print package called Impressario for
SGI using HP printers. Is this really neccessary, or can I rely on my
PostScript utilities to handle all the document handling? Are there
equivalent print managers available for FreeBSD or AIX?
Please feel free to reply in news or in e-mail. If you want to
trim the Newsgroups line, please leave at least comp.periphs.printers
so others may follow the thread more easily. Thanks.