Setting up IBM i (AS/400) for ExcelliPrint
Q: How do I set up my IBM i (AS/400) to print to ExcelliPrint®?
A: Give each ExcelliPrint queue a printer device on IBM i: an IPDS device that sends to the ExcelliPrint computer’s address and the queue’s port, with a PSF configuration object (PSFCFG). You create both from an IBM i command line. Your OS release may vary; the ExcelliPrint manual has the details, and z/OS setup too.
In the examples, replace:
| Placeholder | Meaning |
|---|---|
| XCPPRT1 | The name of the printer device on IBM i |
| XCPPSF1 | The name of its PSF configuration object |
| 10.1.1.20 | The IP address (or DNS name) of the ExcelliPrint computer |
| 5001 | The ExcelliPrint queue’s port |
In ExcelliPrint, add IBM i’s address to the queue’s Accept jobs from list, or the queue will refuse the connection.
1. Check that IBM i can reach ExcelliPrint
PING RMTSYS('10.1.1.20')
2. Create the PSF configuration object
IPDSPASTHR(*YES) lets SCS spooled files print through the same device. RLSTMR(*SEC15) releases the device 15 seconds after the last job, so other systems can use the queue too, and changes to the queue’s settings apply from the next job.
CRTPSFCFG PSFCFG(QGPL/XCPPSF1) IPDSPASTHR(*YES) RLSTMR(*SEC15)
TEXT('ExcelliPrint 10.1.1.20:5001')
3. Create the printer device
CRTDEVPRT DEVD(XCPPRT1) DEVCLS(*LAN) TYPE(*IPDS) MODEL(0)
LANATTACH(*IP) AFP(*YES) PORT(5001) FONT(11)
FORMFEED(*AUTOCUT) RMTLOCNAME('10.1.1.20')
USRDFNOBJ(QGPL/XCPPSF1 *PSFCFG)
TEXT('ExcelliPrint 10.1.1.20:5001')
4. Vary the device on and start its writer
VRYCFG CFGOBJ(XCPPRT1) CFGTYPE(*DEV) STATUS(*ON)
STRPRTWTR DEV(XCPPRT1)
Print a spooled file to the device’s output queue; the job appears in ExcelliPrint’s Jobs list.
Pointing an existing device at ExcelliPrint
- End the writer: ENDWTR XCPPRT1 *IMMED.
- Vary off the device: VRYCFG CFGOBJ(XCPPRT1) CFGTYPE(*DEV) STATUS(*OFF).
- Change its address and port: CHGDEVPRT DEVD(XCPPRT1) RMTLOCNAME(’10.1.1.20’) PORT(5001). If the device has no PSF configuration object yet, create one as in step 2 and add USRDFNOBJ(QGPL/XCPPSF1 *PSFCFG).
- Vary on the device and start the writer (STRPRTWTR).
Job details
ExcelliPrint names files and lists jobs with the details IBM i sends with each spooled file: job name, user, spooled file name and number, form type, library and output queue. IBM i sends them by default; make sure the PSF configuration doesn’t suppress them.