Configuring IMS Printers

Enterprise Server supports LU1 and LU3 printers for use with enterprise servers configured to run IMS applications, and is specifically limited to printer clients that support the TCP TN3270 protocol. Non-TN3270 printer clients and the IMS Spool interface are not supported.

Prerequisites

Before configuring a printer, you must have an MSS-enabled enterprise server defined in Enterprise Server Administration. Once this is in place, do the following:
  • Specify a system initialization table
    We recommend that you either specify the provided SIT, IMSSIT, or that you copy the IMSSIT to another name and specify the newly copied SIT. IMSSIT is preconfigured with many of the requirements necessary to run a successful IMS application, including:
    • Initial Tran ID - This is set to /IMS, and specifies that interactive TN3270 clients initially connect to IMS TM.
    • IMSSTRT Startup List - Includes several resource groups that provide a number of resource definitions required for the basic operation of Enterprise Server. Group IMSGRP contains resource definitions that are specific to Enterprise Server and IMS operation.
    • IMSGRP Resource Group - Contains a TERM model definition for LU1 printers.
  • Ensure that your SIT is updated with current printer definitions

    When you upgrade from an earlier version of Enterprise Developer, user-specific resource groups such as IMSGRP are not updated automatically. We recommend that you add the current printer definitions manually. Do this by running the following command at an Enterprise Developer command prompt:

    caspcupg /o

Enabling Printer Support

The procedure for enabling printer support varies depending on your needs. Consider the following use case scenarios:

Use Case 1: Most or All Printers are LU1
No further configuration is required unless some printers are LU3 (see Use Case 3 below).
Use Case 2: Most or All Printers are LU3
In this case, rename the MLU1 printer Term Model definition in the IMSGRP resource group to MLU3, and redefine it as Term Model specifically for LU3 printers.
Important: You must rename and reconfigure the MLU1 definition, or remove it and create a new definition for LU3 printers. We do not support multiple Term Model printer definitions for TN32871.
Use Case 3: Define Specific Printers to Enterprise Server
In this case, you want to install explicit definitions for exceptions to Use Case 1 or 2, or for all printers. This requires that you add the printer definition or definitions to the IMSGRP resource group by adding a Term definition for each printer.

Additional Configuration

In addition to defining your printers, you must also configure the following:
  • Define the printer to Enterprise Server security
  • Configure your TN3270 emulator to attach to the printer

Assigning Client Names

In the process of configuring printers for an IMS-enabled enterprise server, you must provide a client name and other names in several areas of configuration. This can be tricky. Consider the following as you complete the configuration process:
  • The TN3270 client name is ultimately the IMS LTERM name that identifies the printer.
  • This client name must also appear in the Enterprise Server security system as a user ID. The printer operates under Enterprise Server with the security authorization assigned to this user ID.
  • When attached to Enterprise Server, this client name appears as the printer's Net Name on the Enterprise Server ESMAC Clients page.
  • If this client name/Net Name is not defined to Enterprise Server with a specific TERM definition, it is assigned the characteristics of the Enterprise Server TERM model definition with the model name of TN32871.
  • The TN3270 printer emulator Terminal Type definition must default to or be specified as IBM-3287-1. The TN3270 client name and terminal type are the controlling definitions.
  • Associated Enterprise Server definitions are used if they match the names specified in the TN3270 client.