RecTrac 10.1 Reference Guide

RecTrac 10.1 Reference Guide
UNIX Local & Remote Printing
Although there can be other combinations, generally, there are two UNIX configuration options as
follows:
Host/Terminal:
This concept is based on a UNIX server which is configured with multi-port adapters to
connect multiple local or remote terminals or printers to the server with each terminal or
network printer assigned a port. Processing is handled by the server, since a terminal
consists of a display with limited memory and a keyboard. Any network printers can be
shared by all terminal users. Further, printers can also be directly attached to a terminal as a
local (slave) printer. PC’s can be substituted for terminals using Terminal Emulation software
which enables the PC to function like a terminal. The terminal emulation software can provide
many Windows-like features, as well.
• If all printers are configured as network printers, printing results are very good.
• If configured with slave-printers (directly attached to a port on the terminal), you can experience printing
problems as a result of print redirection with Progress. For this reason, we do not recommend configuring slave
printers in the host/terminal environment.
• In the new RecTrac V2 (Progress 7) software, host/terminal configurations will not be supported.
• If you are currently using RecTrac 8.1xx (Progress V6), configured UNIX host/terminal with slave printers, you
should not upgrade to RecTrac 8.2xx (Progress V7), since slave printing problems will undoubtedly occur. If you
want to upgrade to the newer products, you should also plan to eliminate slave printing using any of the
solutions discussed.
Client/Server - RecTrac 8.1xx (Progress Version 6) and RecTrac 8.2xx (Progress Version 7):
This concept is similar to PC based networks, in that the server can still handle most of the
processing, as well as database, communications, and print server functions. However, the
PC client can be configured with a network interface card (NIC), such as Ethernet, to allow
much faster communications with the server via TCP/IP, for example. Further, the PC has its’
own operating system, memory, display, keyboard, and disk storage capabilities which
enables it to off-load processing functions from the server. Not only can users process any
number of local PC Windows applications, but also communicate with the server mush faster.
• TCP/IP True Client Server - this method utilizes a TCP/IP software package that supports both network IP
connections. The software package selected must be one that has been qualified as being compatible with
Progress. For example, Microsoft TCP/IP or the FTP PC/TCP package are supported by Progress for true
client/server database connectivity. Client/server connectivity through Progress implies a client personal
computer running standard DOS programs against a UNIX, Windows NT, Novell, etc database server. The
personal computer operates true MS-DOS/Windows Progress programs, wherein printing to any port is fully
supported. This solution would also allow the client workstation to utilize all pc devices, such as COM1-4 and
LPT1-3. Improved performance is another benefit, since the RecTrac programs are executed locally.
• All current and future Progress V6 and V7 VSI software will support TCP/IP client/server configurations using
network printers, as well as printers directly attached to the client computers.
• The new RecTrac software will only support TCP/IP client/server configurations.
Vermont Systems, Inc. 455 06/09/08