Setting up the adapter
5-10 PagePrinter Network Adapter : Utilities & Environments
RPRINTER mode in NetWare 3.x
Advantage of using RPRINTER mode in NetWare 3.x:
• Does not require a NetWare server user license slot
Disadvantage of using RPRINTER mode in NetWare 3.x:
• Little information is available about the print job. After a job leaves a print
server queue, it is removed from the queue, regardless of whether it actually
prints. This could cause a print job to be lost, if the printer is turned off in the
middle of the print job. This is inherent in the NetWare design, and is not
unique to network adapters.
PSERVER mode in NetWare 3.x
Advantages of using PSERVER mode in NetWare 3.x:
• Does not require that PSERVER.NLM is installed on the NetWare server
• Does not require you to unload PSERVER.NLM or reboot your computer
after installation
• Performance. Although overall print job throughput is affected by many
factors, file transfer time on the network may be significantly faster using
PSERVER mode.
– In NPRINTER/RPRINTER mode, NetWare uses SPX to transfer
packets. Packet size for data transmitted in SPX is 512 bytes.
– In PSERVER mode, NetWare uses IPX to transfer packets. Packet
size for data transmitted in IPX is up to 1 Kbyte for Ethernet net-
works.
Because of this difference in packet size, PSERVER mode may be faster than
NPRINTER/RPRINTER mode. Please note, however, that the
actual IPX
packet size is negotiated by the client application. This actual IPX packet size is
often less than the maximum because of packet size limitations of gateways and
routers.
If printing is a significant part of your network traffic, and if network traffic is a
proven concern for your network, you may find it better to use the adapters in
PSERVER mode.
• Connects to several file servers and supports many queues:
– Network Adapter connects to as many as 16 file servers, with a
total of 32 queues per adapter, distributed any way you want
among the servers
Disadvantage of using PSERVER mode in NetWare 3.x:
• Requires a NetWare server user license slot for each PSERVER device
