Understanding AFP performance

This topic presents the concepts of Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) performance. You can use this information in tuning the software and hardware to maximize the printer throughput with minimum effect on other applications running on the host system.

For information about printer throughput rates (given in pages per minute, lines per minute, impressions per minute, and so on), see the documentation provided with the printer.

AFP is an integration of high-function printers with printer software. PSF is the software that runs on the host, preparing data and sending it to a printer, managing AFP resources both within the PSF address space and in the printer, and performing error handling and error recovery. To understand AFP performance, consider these:

Characteristics of the printer and the total number of printers installed.
Density and complexity of the print job or data stream sent to the printer.
Data rate at which the attachment hardware can send data to the printer.
Ability of the host processor to process and send data to the printer.