ITEM: BD6540L

How to create customer virtual printer predef files at 4.1 ?

ENV:
        AIX 4.1.x
        various machines
DESC:
        I am trying to create my own predefined virtual printer type.
ACT:
        On AIX 3.2 we could do this:

        piopredef -q existingqueue -d existingdevice -s asc -t newtype
        cd /usr/lib/lpd/pio/predef
        vi newtype.asc
        Change the mL attribute = The new description of the printer.
        When you run mkvirprt this new description shows up and
        will use your new predefined fine.

        Tried same steps at 4.1 but the newly predefined type does
        not show up on the list...

        There are a few additional steps required in AIX 4.1
        than are required in 3.2

        1) When you try to add the virtual printer (smitty mkvirprt)
           You MUST select file instead of local.  You can then pick
           the file /dev/lp\# but if you instead choose local, then 
           the ODM is checked for some non-existant attributes.  To
           keep things simpler, select file

        2) There are some attributes that play an important role
           in addition to the mL attribute.  There is also the
           zM attribute you need to set.

        Tested these steps.
        I have an existing virtual printer markascq:lp0 that I want
        to duplicate:

        piopredef -d lp0 -q markascq -s asc -t newtype
        cd /usr/lib/lpd/pio/predef
        vi newtype.asc
        Change the mL attribute:
                :331:mL::[pioattr1.cat,1,734;My Printer Name]

        Change the zM attribute:
                :688:zM::mytype

        Now, I can add a printer of this type:

        smit mkvirprt
          file                 File (in /dev directory)
            mytype 

        This piopredef file (newtype.asc) can be copied to other
        machines for use by placing it into the other machine's
        predef directory.

        The reason that you have to select file in the /dev directory
        and then type in the name of the printer instead of selecting
        local printer is that mkvirprt would then look to the ODM for
        some definitions of the printer device.  This is not impossible
        but is considerably more involved and does not provide any
        notable gain.



Support Line: How to create customer virtual printer predef files at 4.1 ? ITEM: BD6540L

Dated: January 1996 Category: N/A

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