Distribute Host / Mainframe Print:

Distribute Host / Mainframe Print:  Overview

Production printers are not the sole destinations for mainframe print jobs any more.  They have been joined by a varied assortment of destinations such as multi-function devices, data warehouses, web users, email, etc. 

Distribute Host / Mainframe Print:  Challenges  

The main challenge related to widely distributing mainframe print is how to achieve this without making changes on the host. 

Distribute Host / Mainframe Print:  Barr Systems' Solutions

Our solutions for distributing mainframe print are based on two main components.  One is the input side, where we have four main ways in which we can seamlessly extract data from the host.  More details on this follows below. 

Once we receive the data, it is our powerful network based output manager that takes over and ensures the delivery to the destination.  The delivery is dynamic, based on the contents of the job.  This functionality is covered in our Document Distribution and Delivery Application guide.

Each of the four different methods of receiving data from the mainframe has its advantages:

• NJE (Network Job Entry) - The mainframe treats us as a peer, and therefore provides us with all of the job's header fields, which can be used for routing.  Perfect for mainframe consolidation projects.  Usable over SNA or IP.
• RJE (Remote Job Entry) - The mainframe communicates with us via the 3770 protocol.  Usable over SNA or IP.
• TCP/IP - The mainframe sends us data over IP using LPR.  We also support input from LRS' VPS product.
• Mainframe Channel - Our Bus & Tag and ESCON boards enable direct connection to the mainframe.  We emulate printers or tape drives.  Most secure solution thanks to the physical connection.  Perfect for situations where an actual channel-attached device is being replaced or moved.

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