Information on Printers from NEC and NEC Unified Solutions

The following sections provide an explanation for each of the headings in the printer tables provided in the above documents. Click on the arrow in front of any section to read the explanation. The headings are Printers, Printer Data Stream, Host-Based or Windows Only, PDT File for PC5250, MFRTYPMDL for HPT, LPR, PJL, SNMP, and IPP.


Printers

The Printers column contains the name of each printer, or printer series. The printers are grouped by type of printer (for example, laser printers, color laser printers, ink jet printers, dot matrix and line printers, and multi-function printers) and are generally listed in ascending order. An attempt is made to have an entry for each ASCII printer from a particular manufacturer, whether they are currently marketed by that manufacturer or not.


Printer Data Stream

The Printer Data Stream column lists the printer data streams supported by each particular printer. If the printer lists more than one data stream, you can look across the table for each data stream to see how it is supported by PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) Files, Host Print Transform (HPT), Remote Output Queues, *LAN 3812 PJL device descriptions, *LAN 3812 SNMP device descriptions, and *LAN 3812 IPP device descriptions. Support for these can differ depending on the data stream.

Some popular printer data streams include:

AFP/IPDS	The term AFP/IPDS refers to the Advanced Function Printing and Intelligent Printer Data Stream printer languages from IBM. Printers that use these printer data streams can be configured using a *LCL or *RMT IPDS device description if they are twinax attached, or using a *LAN IPDS device description if they are LAN attached using the appropriate built-in print server from IBM or InfoPrint Solutions Company. Printers that use these printer data streams cannot be configured using a Remote Output Queue, *LAN 3812 PJL, SNMP, or IPP device description, or a PC5250 printer session unless the printer also supports a non-IPDS printer language such as HP PCL5e, HP PCL6, IBM PPR, or Epson ESC/P2.
Code V	The term CODE V refers to a printer language from IBM that supports printing graphics and bar codes on certain printers. Printers that use this printer data stream will work with Host Print Transform (HPT) and might work with a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) file.
EPL EPL1 EPL2	The terms EPL, EPL1 and EPL2 refer to the Eltron printer languages. EPL1 is an escape sequence based language that is used to talk to the older LP2022/LP2042 printers. EPL2 is a text based language that uses all keyboard accessible characters to communicate with all other Eltron label printers. These printer languages are not supported by Host Print Transform (HPT), but HPT should pass the EPL1 data streams to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST). It is unknown at this time whether HPT will pass the EPL2 data stream to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST).
EPL emulation	The term EPL emulation refers to an emulated version of the Eltron printer language from Eltron and Zebra Technologies. This printer language is not supported by Host Print Transform (HPT), but HPT should pass the EPL data stream to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST).
Epson ESC/P2	The term Epson ESC/P2 refers to the ESC/P2 printer data stream. ESC/P2 was developed by Epson, but is used by a number of other printer manufacturers. It is used primarily in dot matrix line printers, but it is also used in a number of ink jet printers.
Epson ESC/POS Epson ESC/POS emulation	The terms Epson ESC/POS and Epson ESC/POS emulation refer to a version of the ESC/P2 printer data stream specifically for Point-of-Sale (POS) or transaction printers. ESC/POS was developed by Epson, and it is used primarily, if not exclusively, in point-of-sale printers. This printer language is not supported by Host Print Transform (HPT), but HPT should pass the ESC/POS data stream to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST).
IBM PPDS	The term IBM PPDS refers to the IBM Personal Printer Data Stream. PPDS was development by IBM and was used in older IBM and Lexmark laser printers.
IBM PPR IBM PPR XL IBM PPR XL II IBM PPR XL III IBM PPR X24 IBM PPR XL24	The term IBM PPR refers to the IBM Proprinter data stream. IBM PPR was developed by IBM, but it is used by a number of other printer manufacturers. It is used primarily in dot matrix line printers, but it is also used in a number of ink jet printers. The XL designates wide-carriage printers, the II and III designate upgrades to the Proprinter data stream, and the 24 refers to the Proprinter data stream used for 24-pin printers.
GDI Host-based Host-based (GDI) Host-Based Printing Proprietary (GDI) Windows GDI	The terms GDI, Host-based, Host-based (GDI), Host-Based Printing, Proprietary (GDI), and Windows GDI are generic terms that can refer to any Host-based or Windows-only printer, which use a proprietary printer data stream rather than an industry-standard printer data stream such as IBM Proprinter Data Stream (PPDS), Epson ESC/P2, HP Printer Control Language (PCL), or Adobe PostScript (PS). These printers support printing from Windows, and possibly from Macintosh or Linux, but will not print directly from IBM i, IBM i5/OS, IBM OS/400, UNIX or any other non-PC-based Operating System, even if the printers can be network-attached. Because these printers require a proprietary printer data stream, they will not work with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) File. Note: Configuring a PC5250 printer session without Host Print Transform (HPT) and without a Printer Definition Table (PDT) file is most likely to print successfully. However, you will not be able to print *AFPDS spooled files because that requires using Host Print Transform, and you will have limited control over the formatting of your output (including limited control over the font selection). Therefore, configuring to print to a Host-Based Printing, Proprietary (GDI), or Windows GDI printer is considered unsupported, as would printing to any other host-based printer.
HP PCL3 HP PCL4 HP PCL5 HP PCL5c HP PCL5e HP PCL6 HP PCL6c	The terms HP PCL3, HP PCL4, HP PCL5, HP PCL5c, HP PCL5e, HP PCL6, and HP PCL6c refer to different versions of the HP Printer Control Language. PCL was developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), but it is used by a number of other printer manufacturers including IBM Printing Systems and Lexmark. PCL3 is used in a number of HP DeskJet printers, PCL5c and PCL6c are often used in color laser printers, and PCL5e and PCL6 the often used in B&W or monochrome laser printers.
PCL5c emulation PCL5e emulation PCL6 emulation	The terms PCL5c emulation , PCL5e emulation and PCL6 emulation refer to an emulated version of the Printer Control Language, but they might also be used when a printer uses true HP PCL support. PCL was developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), but it is used by a number of other printer manufacturers including IBM Printing Systems and Lexmark.
Adobe PostScript 2 Adobe PostScript 3	The terms Adobe PostScript 2 and Adobe PostScript 3 refer to versions or levels of the Adobe PostScript printer language. PostScript was developed by Adobe, but is used by a number of other printer manufacturers, though typically in laser printers. The PostScript printer data stream will not work with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) File.
PostScript 2 PostScript 2 emulation PostScript 3 PostScript 3 emulation	The terms PostScript 2, PostScript 2 emulation, PostScript 3, and PostScript 3 emulation typically refer to an emulated version of the PostScript printer language, but they might also be used when a printer uses true Adobe PostScript support. The PostScript printer data stream will not work with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) File.
PDF PDF v1.2 PDF v1.3 PDF v1.4 PDF v1.5 PDF v1.6 PDF v1.7 PDF v1.x emulation	The terms PDF, PDF v1.2, PDF v1.3, PDF v1.4, PDF v1.5, PDF v1.6 and PDF v1.7, or PDF v1.x emulation, refer to the ability to directly print Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) documents without using a Windows printer driver or converting the PDF document to an HP PCL printer data using Host Print Transform (HPT). PDF v1.2, v1.3, v1.4, and v1.5 refer to the PDF version supported by the printer firmware. If a printer supports direct PDF printing, then it generally supports the printing of *USERASCII spooled files containing PDF data through a *LAN 3812 printer device description, a Remote Output Queue, a PC5250 printer session, or using Binary FTP to send a PDF file stored in the Integrated File System directly to the printer TCP/IP address or host name. However, this is dependent on the version of PDF used to generate the *USERASCII spooled file or PDF file, as well as the PDF version supported by the printer firmware.
PGL IGP (PGL)	The terms PGL and IGP (PGL) refer to the Printronix Graphic Language. PGL is not supported by Host Print Transform (HPT), but HPT should pass IGP/PGL-compatible data streams to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST).
RPCS Ricoh RPCS	The terms RPCS and Ricoh RPCS refer to the Refined Printing Command Stream (RPCS) printer language from Ricoh. This printer language is a Microsoft®Windows®-optimized printer data language. Therefore, printers that use this printer data stream will not work with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) file.
XML	The term XML refers to XML-Enabled Printing. XML is text-based, but it is unknown at this time whether Host Print Transform (HPT) will pass the XML data stream to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST).
XHTML XHTML-Print	The terms XHTML and XHTML-Print refer to a member of the family of XHTML languages defined by the Modularization of XHTML [XHTMLMOD]. According to the W3C, XHTML is designed to be appropriate for printing from mobile devices to low-cost printers that might not have a full-page buffer and that generally print from top-to-bottom and left-to-right with the paper in a portrait orientation. XHTML-Print is also targeted at printing in environments where it is not feasible or desirable to install a printer-specific driver and where some variability in the formatting of the output is acceptable. XHTML will not work with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) File.
XPS	The term XPS refers to the XML Paper Specification, which is a specification for a page description language and a fixed-document format developed by Microsoft. It is an XML-based or XAML-based specification, based on a new print path and a color-managed vector-based document format which supports device independence and resolution independence. XML Paper Specification, or XPS, will not work with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) file.
ZPL ZPL II	The terms ZPL and ZPL II refer to different versions of the Zebra Programming Language from Zebra Technologies. These printer languages are not supported by Host Print Transform (HPT), but HPT should pass the ZPL and ZPL II data streams to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST).
ZPL emulation ZGL ZGL (Zebra ZPL emulation)	The terms ZPL emulation, ZGL and ZGL (Zebra ZPL emulation) refer to emulated versions of the Zebra Programming Language from Zebra Technologies. This printer language is not supported by Host Print Transform (HPT), but HPT should pass the ZPL data stream to the printer untouched when configured to use the QWPDEFAULT system-supplied Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST).

Note: If the printer tables refer to any printer data streams other than the ones listed above, then an explanation of those data streams will be included at the bottom of the printer tables.


Host-Based or Windows Only

The Host-Based column (formerly called the Windows Only column) shows if a specific printer is a host-based printer. The term Windows Only printer means that the printer was designed to be used only on a PC running a version of Microsoft Windows and was also generally designed to be used in a home or small office environment rather than in a networking environment. The term host-based printer expands this to refer to any printer that relies on the processing power of the host computer to generate printable pages; for example, if the host computer is running one of the versions of Microsoft Windows, Linux, or Macintosh operating system. The term Windows Only printer is becoming somewhat obsolete because newer printers that fit this category often come with printer software and printer drivers that allow them to be used on Apple Macintosh computers and PCs running one or more versions of the Linux operating system. However, the term Windows Only printer will often continue to be used to describe host-based printers.

Because they rely on the processing power of the host computer, host-based printers do not need a powerful processor of their own and, therefore, they tend to be less expensive than conventional printers. However, because they share the computer's processor, they might be slow and might slow down other tasks running on the computer. Host-based printers typically use a proprietary printer data stream rather than an industry-standard printer data stream such as IBM Proprinter Data Stream (PPDS), Epson ESC/P2, HP Printer Control Language (PCL), or Adobe PostScript (PS).

Because they use a proprietary printer data stream, they do not work with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a PC5250 Printer Definition Table (PDT) file. Because they will not work with HPT, they also will not work to print *AFPDS spooled files through the AFPDS-to-ASCII Transform code within HPT. The only way to get a host-based printer to print IBM i family spooled files is to attached it to a host computer and then use printer emulation software, such as a PC5250 printer session, to print the spooled file through the host-based printer driver.


PDT File for PC5250

The PDT File for PC5250 column lists the name of a Printer Definition Table (PDT) File that can be used when configuring a Personal Communications 5250 (or PC5250) printer session.

Personal Communications 5250 (PC5250) started shipping new PDT files starting in V5R3M0 IBM iSeries Access for Windows. PDT files listed in lowercase characters are shipped with V5R3M0 iSeries Access for Windows and above (for example, hppcl5.pdt), while PDT files listed in UPPERCASE characters are shipped with V5R2M0 iSeries Access for Windows and below (for example, HPLJ4.PDT). For more information on PDT files, including a list of all PDT files available through iSeries Access for Windows, or to get the older PDT files on a PC running V5R3M0 iSeries Access for Windows or higher, please refer to the following document:

N1019626: List of Printer Definition Table (PDT) Files for Use with PC5250

For information on configuration and limitations of PC5250 printer sessions, with or without a PDT file, please refer to the following document:

N1018716: System i Access for Windows: Configuring a PC5250 Printer Session


MFRTYPMDL for HPT

The MFRTYPMDL for HPT column lists the Manufacturer Type and Model (MFRTYPMDL) setting that can be used with Host Print Transform (HPT) to select the appropriate data stream for that printer. This can apply to use with a PC5250 printer session as well as a Remote Output Queue, a *LAN 3812 PJL device description, a *LAN 3812 SNMP device description, or a *LAN 3812 IPP device description.

Note: A setting of QWPDEFAULT refers to setting the manufacturer type and model (MFRTYPMDL) parameter to *WSCST, *WSCSTLETTER, or *WSCSTCONT132, and then setting the workstation customizing object (WSCST) parameter to QWPDEFAULT in library QSYS. This special workstation customizing object causes Host Print Transform to send plain ASCII text without any printer controls, such as page size, LPI, CPI, font, print quality, and so on.

For more information on using Host Print Transform (HPT) with various ASCII printers, please refer to the following documents:

N1019698: Printer Model Settings for Host Print Transform (HPT)
N1019470: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a PC5250 Printer Session at V5R1M0 and Above


LPR

The LPR column shows whether a Remote Output Queue or the Send TCP/IP Spooled File (SNDTCPSPLF or LPR) command can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN. Support for printing using the TCP/IP Line Printer Requester (LPR) and Line Printer Daemon (LPD) protocols is available in the base code for R230 OS/400 and above for the SNDTCPSPLF and LPR commands, and in the base code for R310 OS/400 and above for Remote Output Queues.

Support for Remote Output Queues, as well as the SNDTCPSPLF and LPR commands, is largely dependent on the internal network interface card (NIC) or external print server used with the printer. Therefore, this column is as much of a statement about the NIC or print server typically shipped with the printer than it is about the printer itself. If it is unclear whether the NIC, print server and/or printer supports LPR/LPD, contact the manufacturer.

This field can have one of the following settings:

Y	LPR/LPD can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN, provided the print server supports LPR/LPD.
N	LPR/LPD cannot be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN.
?	Not enough is known about this printer, the network interface card (NIC), or the external print server typically shipped with the printer to know whether LPR/LPD will work or not.

For more information on Remote Output Queues, please refer to the following documents:

N1010090: Configuring a Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ)
N1019443: Configuring a Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ) to a Label or Receipt Printer
N1018931: Configuring a Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ) to a Windows Print Queue
N1010172: Recommended Remote Printer Queue Values for Remote Output Queues (RMTOUTQs)
N1019579: Configuration Settings and Error Messages for Remote Output Queues (RMTOUTQs)
N1019659: Capabilities and Limitations of Remote Output Queues (RMTOUTQs)
N1019713: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a Remote Output Queue (RMTOUTQ)

The TSPRWPR exit program allows a user to print a specific page range when using a Remote Output Queue that is configured with a connection type of *IP or when using the Send TCP/IP Spooled File (SNDTCPSPLF or LPR) command. For more information on the unsupported TSPRWPR remote writer page range support exit program, please refer to the following document:

N1019686: TSPRWPR Remote Writer Page Range Support Exit Program

The TSPLPRD exit program is an unsupported utility that can be used to configure a *LAN 3812 printer device description to send spooled files to an ASCII printer using LPR/LPD. Remote Output Queues also send using LPR/LPD, but the TSPLPRD exit program uses a printer writer, rather than a remote writer. For more information on the unsupported TSPLPRD LPR print driver exit program, please refer to the following documents:

N1019586: Configuring a *LAN 3812 Device Description that Uses the LPR Print Driver (TSPLPRD) Exit Program
N1019003: Capabilities and Limitations of *LAN 3812 Printer Device Descriptions


PJL

The PJL column shows whether a *LAN 3812 PJL device description can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN. The term PJL refers to the HP Printer Job Language. PJL allows for two-way communication with the printer when attached to the LAN using a print server that also supports bidirectional PJL. Support for the PJL print driver is available in the base code for R410 OS/400 and above, and was added to R370 OS/400 through PTFs.

Support for the PJL print driver is largely dependent on the internal network interface card (NIC) or external print server used with the printer. Therefore, this column is as much of a statement about the NIC or print server typically shipped with the printer than it is about the printer itself. If it is unclear whether the NIC, print server, or printer supports PJL, contact the manufacturer.

This field can have one of the following settings:

Y	A *LAN 3812 PJL device description can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN, provided the print server supports bidirectional PJL.
N	A *LAN 3812 PJL device description cannot be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN. This is commonly found in dot matrix (or line) printers, ink jet printers, or older laser printers that do not support the HP PCL5e printer language.
?	Not enough is known about this printer, the network interface card (NIC), or the external print server typically shipped with the printer to know whether a *LAN 3812 PJL device description will work or not.

For more information on *LAN 3812 PJL device descriptions, please refer to the following documents:

N1010134: Configuring a *LAN 3812 PJL Device Description
N1019689: Recommended PJL Port Number Values for *LAN 3812 PJL Device Descriptions
N1019652: Configuration Settings and Error Messages for *LAN 3812 PJL Device Descriptions
N1019003: Capabilities and Limitations of *LAN 3812 Printer Device Descriptions
N1010288: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN Device Description


SNMP

The SNMP column shows whether a *LAN 3812 SNMP device description can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN. The term SNMP refers to Simple Network Management Protocol. SNMP allows for two-way communication with the printer when attached to the LAN using a print server that also supports SNMP. Support for the SNMP print driver is available in the base code for R450 OS/400 and above, and is being added to R430 and R440 OS/400 through PTFs.

Support for the SNMP print driver is largely dependent on the internal network interface card (NIC) or external print server used with the printer. Therefore, this column is as much of a statement about the NIC or print server typically shipped with the printer than it is about the printer itself. If it is unclear whether the NIC, print server, or printer supports SNMP, contact the manufacturer.

This field can have one of the following settings:

Y	A *LAN 3812 SNMP device description can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN, provided the print server supports SNMP.
N	A *LAN 3812 SNMP device description cannot be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN.
?	Not enough is known about this printer, the network interface card (NIC), or the external print server typically shipped with the printer to know whether a *LAN 3812 SNMP device description will work or not.

For more information on *LAN 3812 SNMP device descriptions, please refer to the following documents:

N1019572: Configuring a *LAN 3812 SNMP Device Description
N1019571: Recommended SNMP Port Number Values for *LAN 3812 SNMP Device Descriptions
N1019570: Configuration Settings and Error Messages for *LAN 3812 SNMP Device Descriptions
N1019003: Capabilities and Limitations of *LAN 3812 Printer Device Descriptions
N1010288: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN Device Description

Note: A large number of HP LaserJet and compatible printers, and even some line matrix printers, have built-in support for SNMP. Many printers will have support for both PJL and SNMP, but even more printers have support for only SNMP, so if the SNMP field has a "?" then it is a good idea to try configuring a *LAN 3812 SNMP device description to see if it will work.

Another option is to first try configuring the printer on a PC running Windows 2000, on a Windows 2003 Server, or on Windows XP Professional to test the connectivity to the LAN-attached printer. If a Windows Test Page can successfully print to that printer, then looking at the printer port will show whether the printer supports printing using LPR/LPD or printing use RAW on a TCP/IP printer port. If it is setup to use RAW on a TCP/IP printer port, then the printer will most likely work using a *LAN 3812 SNMP device description with that TCP/IP printer port specified in the Port number (PORT) parameter. For more information, please refer to the following document:

N1018919: Using the Add Printer Wizard within Windows to Test Connectivity to a LAN-Attached Printer


IPP

The IPP column shows whether a *LAN 3812 IPP device description can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN, WAN or Internet. The term IPP refers to the Internet Print Protocol. IPP allows for two-way communication with the printer when attached to the LAN using a print server that also supports IPP. Support for the IPP Print Driver is available in the base code for R520 OS/400.

Support for the IPP Print Driver is largely dependent on the internal network interface card (NIC) or external print server used with the printer. Therefore, this column is as much of a statement about the network interface card (NIC) or print server typically shipped with the printer than it is about the printer itself. If it is unclear whether the NIC, print server, or printer supports IPP, contact the manufacturer.

This field can have one of the following settings:

Y	A *LAN 3812 IPP device description can be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN, provided the print server supports IPP.
N	A *LAN 3812 IPP device description cannot be used to print to this printer when directly connected to the LAN.
?	Not enough is known about this printer, the network interface card (NIC), or the external print server typically shipped with the printer to know whether a *LAN 3812 IPP device description will work or not.

For more information on *LAN 3812 IPP device descriptions, please refer to the following documents:

N1019375: Configuring a *LAN 3812 IPP Device Description
N1019376: Recommended Remote Location (RMTLOCNAME) Values for *LAN 3812 IPP Device Descriptions
N1019374: Configuration Settings and Error Messages for *LAN 3812 IPP Device Descriptions
N1019003: Capabilities and Limitations of *LAN 3812 Printer Device Descriptions
N1010288: Using Host Print Transform (HPT) with a *LAN Device Description

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Consider adding the following under the Host-Based or Windows Only section:

This field can have one of the following settings:

Y	The printer data stream is a host-based or Windows-only data stream. The data stream is not compatibile with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a Printer Definition Table (PDT) file, and cannot be used to print *AFPDS or *USERASCII spooled files.
N	The printer data stream is not host-based. The printer data stream still may not be compatible with Host Print Transform (HPT) or a Printer Definition Table (PDT) file.
?	Not enough information is known about the printer data streams used by this printer to know whether they are host-based. However, when very little information is provided by the manufacturer it is often the case that the printer data stream is host-based.