Customizing NetSpool

This information describes the NetSpool component of Infoprint Server. You must customize NetSpool if you want to print from VTAM® applications, such as CICS® and IMS.

NetSpool intercepts print data from VTAM applications, such as CICS and IMS; transforms the data streams to EBCDIC line data, PCL, PDF, or other formats that the printer accepts; and creates output data sets on the JES2 or JES3 spool. For an overview of NetSpool and how it fits into your system, see NetSpool.

Table 1 summarizes the tasks to customize NetSpool. Required tasks are necessary for all installations that want to use NetSpool. Optional tasks are required only if the listed condition applies to your installation.
Table 1. Customization tasks for NetSpool
Task Condition
Identifying software requirements for NetSpool Required
Updating the BPXPRMxx member of SYS1.PARMLIB Required
Editing the aopd.conf file for NetSpool Optional: to use operating mode 2.1
Customizing the NetSpool message log Optional: To record messages in the NetSpool log.
Customizing the NetSpool startup procedure Required
Working with JES spool limits Required
Changing Language Environment runtime options Optional: To change default options.
Writing NetSpool exit and filter programs Optional: To customize how NetSpool processes SCS and 3270 data streams.
Setting environment variables for NetSpool Optional: To print line data that contains unprintable characters.
Editing the system configuration definition for NetSpool Optional: To specify dynamic attributes.
Table 2 lists the other components of Infoprint Server that you might need to customize when you use NetSpool.
Table 2. Other components to customize for NetSpool
Task Condition
Customizing the Printer Inventory Manager Required
Customizing Transform Interface1 Optional: To transform data from one format to another.
Customizing IP PrintWay Optional: To print data to remote printers in your Internet Protocol network or send data to email destinations.
  1. This task is not required to transform SCS or 3270 data to line data or PCL data. However, it is required to transform line data or PCL data to another format such as to AFP or PDF format.
Related tasks: After you customize NetSpool, the administrator and operator must do these tasks. For information about these tasks, see z/OS Infoprint Server Operation and Administration:
  • The administrator must create or update the printer definition for each printer in the Printer Inventory and specify printer attributes that are required by NetSpool.
  • The administrator must define each NetSpool printer logical unit (LU) to VTAM, and modify VTAM resource definitions if necessary.
  • The operator must start NetSpool and vary the NetSpool printer LUs active.