Chapter 10 - Managing Print Filters
Introduction to Managing Print Filters
A print filter is a program that processes a print job before it is printed and converts codes in data files. You can configure a print service to run one or more print filters against jobs submitted to it. When you configure a print service to run filter programs, the programs are run before files are sent to the print queue.
The following print filters are provided by Banyan:
TODOS filter - Converts files created in UNIX to DOS format so that the files can print properly from a DOS workstation.
POSTFILT filter - Checks jobs coming from DOS workstations to verify that they are PostScript. If a job does not conform to the Adobe 2.0 PostScript structuring conventions, the filter assumes that the job is a text job and inserts a basic TTY text driver to print job as text.
This filter is not necessary to print jobs that conform to the PostScript conventions; those jobs can print without the filter. Rather, POSTFILT is designed to allow text printing and to provide an additional verification. You can add this filter to print services that control any type of PostScript printer.
Note: While these filters are provided with VINES software, they are not automatically configured for any print service.
Preparing to Manage Print Filters
You can find both print filters in the root directory of drive Z (VINES Files). The path names are Z:\TODOS and Z:\POSTFILT.
To run filter programs, you have two options. You can configure a print service to run print filters against all jobs submitted, or against only those jobs that have a particular paper format assigned to them.
To run a filter under more than one print service, you must add that filter to each print service separately. If users redirect print jobs often and need particular filters for every print job, be sure that you add the filters to all the print services that users will access.
Print jobs are put on hold if they require a filter (specified through the paper format) and are redirected to a print service that does not have the specified filter.
You manage print filters from the Configure Filters menu. At the Configure Filters menu, shown in Figure 10-1, the name of the print service and the names of the currently configured filters appear in the lower part of the menu. The size of the filter file and the date the filter was added or last replaced also appear.
From the Configure Filters menu, you can:
Add a new filter for the print service Replace an existing filter file with an updated one Delete a filter from the print service configuration
1. From the Control A Service menu, choose CONFIGURE service. The Manage Print Service menu appears.
2. Choose Configure FILTERS. The Configure Filters menu appears.
3. Choose ADD. A data entry screen appears.
4. In the Name field, enter a name for the filter or up to 31 characters.
5. Enter a description of the filter of up to 63 characters. For example, for the TODOS filter, enter a description such as, Converts UNIX files to DOS format.
6. Enter the complete path name of the filter file. The print service requires this information to locate the executable filter file. For example, enter Z:/todos to indicate the location of the filter named TODOS.
7. At the Paper format field:
- To run the filter on every job submitted to the print service, do not choose a paper format.
- To run the filter only on certain jobs, press F5 to choose a paper format from the list you configured for the print service.
When you specify a paper format for a filter, users can take advantage of the filter by specifying this paper format for any or all jobs they send to the print service.
8. Do one of the following:
- Press F10 to save the filter configuration.
- Press ESC to discard the filter configuration.
The Configure Filters menu appears. The added filter name, date, and its size appear in the lower part of the menu. The filter names appear in the order in which they were added with the most recent addition at the bottom of the list.
1. From the Control A Service menu, choose CONFIGURE service. The Manage Print Service menu appears.
2. Choose Configure FILTERS. The Configure Filters menu appears.
3. Choose REPLACE. The cursor moves to the bottom half of the screen.
4. Choose a filter. The data entry screen for that filter appears.
5. Change the description if needed.
6. Enter the complete path name in the Path/File name field. You must enter the path, even if the path is the same.
7. Do one of the following:
- Press F10 to replace the old filter.
- Press ESC to retain the old filter.
The system displays a confirmation message.
8. Do one of the following:
- Choose YES retain the changes.
- Choose NO to discard the changes.
The Configure Filters menu appears. The replaced filter is added at the lower part of the menu. The date and size fields change to reflect the replacement.
1. From the Control A Service menu, choose CONFIGURE service. The Manage Print Service menu appears.
2. Choose Configure FILTERS. The Configure Filters menu appears.
3. Choose DELETE. The cursor moves to the bottom half of the screen.
4. Choose a filter. A confirmation screen appears.
5. Do one of the following:
- Choose YES delete the filter.
- Choose NO to retain the filter.
The Configure Filters menu appears. The deleted filter is removed from the lower part of the menu.
