LRS offers several options for migrating printing from SNA to TCP/IP including VPS/TCPIP, VPS/AnyQueue, and VPS/Email. These options allow printing directly from MVS across TCP/IP without needing to emulate SNA. VPS/TCPIP uses LPR/LPD, sockets, or BIP for efficient yet flexible printing. VPS/AnyQueue and VPS/Email deliver output to printers or email for viewing and printing selected portions. LRS IP printing requires no bridging between SNA and IP protocols.
The point where SNA traffic is converted to TCPIP can be almost anywhere. The most typical is the server level where products like HOSTPRINT and SNA print server bridge the gap. Some implementations run SNA all the way to the desktop. Another method is to do TN3270E, this transitions from SNA to IP right on the host but rarely works well.
VPS.TCPIP provides a simpler, cleaner environment for printing. No intermediate servers necessary.
AnyQueue is a powerful product. In addition to delivering output to LAN printer queues it can also drop the output into files or onto email addresses. It can also launch ‘back-end’ processes to massage the data before delivery. AnyQueue accepts data from VPS via TCPIP or SNA, it can also accept data from other hosts via TCPIP.
VPS/Email is useful for delivering output to users who don’t have a ‘live’ connection. Examples are employees who travel and access via laptops, overseas customers and offices, employees who work from home.
Data can also be delivered as HTML which will cause a Web browser to be launched to display the data.
VPS 8.0 implements a simple method of adding print controls to data called the PCMDS. This makes it easy to use enhanced formatting. Many examples are provided.