JPH07200201A - Printer server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To commonly use a printer device in different machine types and to improve the processing capacity of a printer server device by receiving print data from respective host machines and outputting them to the printer device in the printer server device. CONSTITUTION:Print data from the host machines 1 to 4 are transferred to the printer server device 5 through 'Ethernet' 6. When print data is transferred from the host machine 1, print data is written into the target file of a printer name by the execution of the write command of the file by an nfs client 7, and print data is transferred to the printer server device 5. Then, in the printer server device 5 refers to a printer registration table 12 based on the file in which nfsd program is written and file programs F1-Fn and output ports Pt1-Ptn execute the printing processing of transferred print data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer server device which prints out print data transferred from a client-side host machine to a printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by constructing a network for interconnecting information processing devices such as distributed host computers and terminal devices, printing devices such as printers and plotters, and other peripheral devices, Effective use of these devices and information has been designed.
Generally, various devices connected to the above network are
The protocol is set to the optimum standard according to the processing capacity and application. Therefore, in order to construct a network, it is necessary to manage the usage status of the printing device and peripheral devices. Further, in order to connect the devices to the network, a server that matches a protocol that differs depending on each device with the protocol of the network is used.

In the network system shown in FIG. 4, data transfer is performed through the Ethernet cable 51. The Ethernet cable 51 has a transceiver 52 attached to the client side and a transceiver 53 attached to the server side. In addition, the transceiver 52,
A client machine 55, which is a host machine on the client side, is connected via a transceiver cable 54. On the other hand, a printer server device 57 is connected to the transceiver 53 via a transceiver cable 56. Further, two printers 60 and 61 are connected to the printer server device 57 via printer cables 58 and 59, respectively.

In the network configured as described above, print data transferred from the client machine 55 through the Ethernet cable 51 is temporarily stored in the printer server device 57. And
The print data is printed out by the printer 60 or the printer 61 designated by the client machine 55. In this way, by using the printer server device 57, the client can use a plurality of printers 60.
1 can be shared with other host machines on the network.

Subsequently, when the print data is transferred from the client machine 55 to the printer server device 57,
The processing is performed in the following procedure.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, in the client machine 55, the print data is sent to the lpd (remote print daemon) program 63 by the lpr (remote print) program 62. Then, the print data is sent to the printer server device 57 by the lpd program 63, and is output to, for example, the printer 60 by the lpd (remote print daemon) program 64 of the printer server device 57.

[0007]

However, in the printer server device 57, the print data can be received only from the client machine 55 that supports the remote print command of the lpr program 62 and the lpd program 63. Therefore, the printer server device 57 cannot receive print data from a host machine that does not support the remote print command.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printer server device capable of receiving print data even from a host machine that does not support a remote print command. .

[0009]

In the printer server device of the present invention, the printer server device is connected to a client side host machine via a local area network for transferring print data using TCP / IP, and In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printer server device for outputting print data transferred from a host machine to a printing device is characterized by the following means.

That is, the printer server device described above is
Registered names of processing means for processing print data into a form suitable for print output, output ports provided in the same number as the printing devices for outputting print data from the processing means to the printing device, and combinations of processing means and output ports. The registration means for associating with and the top layer of the file managed by the hierarchical directory is combined with the directory of the first host machine corresponding to the network file system of the above host machines, and the above combination as a file. A connecting means for handling and a print data written by the first host machine in the above combination when the directory connection is made by the combining means, to output to the printing device through the processing means and the output port of the combination. Control means and file transfer protocol of the above host machines And disclosing means for together receiving the remote login from the second host machine corresponding disclosed second host machine registered name of the the file name,
Based on the registered name disclosed by the disclosing means, a combination of registered names for which print data output is designated by the second host machine is used as a file, and the print data written by the second host machine is processed into the combination means. And second control means for outputting to the printer through the output port, and third host machine which executes the remote print command to transfer print data among the above host machines, and transfers the print data by designating the registered name. Third control means for outputting the print data to the printing device through the processing means of the combination of the registered names and the output port, and the fourth host machine for executing the remote shell command among the above host machines to transfer the print data. Remote shell command is executed by Command activation means for activating a command, and fourth control means for causing the printing device to output through the processing means of the combination of registered names designated by executing the remote print command activated by the command activation means and the output port ing.

[0011]

When the first host machine uses the printing device,
In the printer server device configured as described above, the uppermost layer of the directory in the printer server device is joined to the directory of the first host machine by the joining means. As a result, on the first host machine side, the combination registered in the registration means can be handled in the same manner as a file.

Therefore, the print data is written in the first host machine in the combination (file) corresponding to the printing device for the purpose of outputting the print data,
The print data is transferred to the printer server device. Then, the first control unit outputs the print data written in the file to the printing apparatus through the processing unit and the output port of the designated combination.

When the second host machine uses the printing apparatus, the printer server apparatus accepts the remote login from the second host machine by the disclosing means.
At this time, the file name of the printer server is disclosed to the second host machine. In addition, the registered name is also disclosed in the same manner as other file names. As a result, the second host machine can select the registered name to which the print data should be output from the disclosed file name.

Therefore, by writing the print data in the combination (file) of the registered names designated by the second host machine, the print data is transferred to the printer server device. Then, the second control unit outputs the print data written in the file to the printing apparatus through the processing unit and the output port of the designated combination of registered names.

When the third host machine uses the printing device, the remote print command is executed by the third host machine, whereby the print data is transferred to the printer server device by designating the registered name. In the printer server device, the print data is output to the printing device by the third control means through the processing program of the combination of registered names and the output port.

When the fourth host machine uses the printing device, when the remote shell command is executed by the fourth host machine, the command print means starts the remote print command in the printer server device. Fourth
When the remote print command is executed by the control means, the print data is transferred from the fourth host machine by designating the registered name, and is output to the printing device through the processing means and the output port of the combination of the registered names. It

As described above, in the printer server device, the print data from the first to fourth host machines are received and output to the printing device in correspondence with the combination of the processing means and the output port. There is. Therefore, it is possible to enable the first to fourth host machines having different functions to share the printing apparatus on the local area network.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following will describe one embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS.

The network system according to this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 1, host machines 1 to 4 as host machines on the client side, a printer server device 5,
It has an Ethernet 6 as a local area network. The print data from the host machines 1 to 4 is transferred to the printer server device 5 via the Ethernet 6.

Host machine 1 as first host machine
Is a UNIX machine, TCP / IP (Transmissi
Network File System (NF) which is one of on Control Protocol / Internet Protocol applications
In order to transfer print data using S),
An nfs (network file system) client 7 is installed. The nfs client 7 combines (mounts) the root file system (uppermost layer) of files managed by the hierarchical directory in the printer server device 5 with the directory of the host machine 1 by the network file system, and at the same time, the printer server device 5 Is a program that realizes the function of writing data to the file.

Host machine 2 as second host machine
Is a UNIX machine, and is equipped with an ftp (file transfer protocol) client 8 for transferring print data using a TCP / IP type file transfer protocol. The ftp client 8 is a program that realizes a function of remotely logging in to the printer server device 5 and writing data to a file of the printer server device 5.

Host machine 3 as third host machine
Is a UNIX machine, and lpr (remote print) is used to transfer print data by the remote print function that can be used in TCP / IP communication.
Program 9 and lpd (remote print daemon)
It is equipped with program 10. lpr program 9
Specifies the transfer destination (printer) for the print data and
This is a program to be passed to the pd program 10. lp
The d program 10 is a program for transferring the received print data to the printer server device 5.

Host Machine 4 as Fourth Host Machine
Is a UNIX machine, and is provided with an rsh (remote shell) program 11 for transferring print data by a remote shell function that can be used in TCP / IP communication. The rsh program 11 is a program that executes a remote shell command and transfers print data to the printer server device 5.

The host machines 1 to 4 have a generally common configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and more specifically, the CPU 2
1, ROM 22, RAM 23, hard disk device 2
4, floppy disk device 25, interface 26-
29 and a communication interface 30.

The CPU 21 stores the nfs client 7, the ftp client 8, the lpr program 9, the lpd program 10, rs stored in the ROM 22.
The programs such as the h program 11 and the programs loaded in the RAM 23 are executed. Further, the CPU 21 reads and writes data and programs from and to the floppy disk device 24 through the interface 26, and reads and writes data and programs from and to the floppy disk device 25 through the interface 27. Also, CPU
21 reads the operation content of an externally provided keyboard 31 through an interface 28 and causes an externally provided display device 32 to display the contents through an interface 29. Further, the CPU 21 controls the communication with the Ethernet 6 through the communication interface 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer server device 5 includes output ports Pt _{1 to} Pt _n , filter programs F _{1 to} F _n , a printer registration table 12, and nfsd.
A (network file system daemon) program 13, an ftpd (file transfer protocol daemon) program 14, an lpd (remote print daemon) program 15, an rshd (remote shell daemon) program 16 and an lpr (remote print) program 17 are installed. The printer server device 5 may be configured by a general personal computer instead of being configured as a dedicated device.

Filter program F ₁ as processing means
To F _n is a program for processing into a form suitable for print data to the printing output. Filter program F _{1 to} F
_n does not necessarily have to be provided in the same number as the printers Pr _{1 to} Pr _n, and a plurality of the same printers may be provided. For example, _two filter programs F ₁ may be provided instead of the filter program F 2.

The output port Pt ₁ ~Pt _n, a plurality of printers Pr ₁ is connected to to PR _n, filter program F ₁ to F _n print data supplied from the printer Pr ₁ to PR as each printing device It is designed to output to _n . The print data output from the filter programs F _{1 to} F _n to the output ports Pt ₁ to Pt _n is not limited to the one-to-one relationship as shown in the drawing, but may be arbitrarily selected, for example, from the filter F ₁ to the output port Pt _2. it can. Further, the printers Pr _{1 to} Pr are used as the printing devices.
_In addition to _n , a device such as a plotter may be installed.

The printer registration table 12 has a filter program F _{1 to} F _n (filter number) and an output port Pt.
_As shown in Table 1, combinations of _{1 to} Pt _n (port numbers) are assigned to different registered names, namely, printer names, and registered in 16 ways, which functions as a registration unit.

[0030]

[Table 1]

The nfsd program 13 executes the above-mentioned nfs
When the mount command is executed by the client 7, the root file system of the printer server device 5 is mounted on the directory of the host machine 1 and has a function as a coupling unit.
Further, the nfsd program 13 is designated by the host machine 1 while referring to the printer registration table 12 when print data is written from the host machine 1 to a file of the printer server device 5 with the root file system mounted. The registered name filter programs F _{1 to} F _n and the output ports Pt _{1 to} Pt _n are adapted to perform print output processing, and also have a function as first control means.

The ftpd program 14 is the above-mentioned ftpd.
When the client 8 remotely logs in to the host machine 2, the file name of the printer server device 5 is disclosed to the host machine 2 and the registered name is also disclosed as a file name, which has a function as a disclosure unit. ing. Further, when the print data is written from the host machine 2 to the ftpd program 14 with the combination represented by the registered name as a file in the state of being remotely logged in, the filter programs F _{1 to} F _n and the output ports Pt _{1 to} Pt. It is designed to cause _n to perform print output processing, and also has a function as second control means.

When the lpd program 15 receives the print data transferred by the lpd program 10, the lpd program 15 outputs the filter programs F _{1 to} F _n and the output ports Pt _{1 to} Pt having the registered names designated by the lpr program 9.
It is designed to cause _n to perform print output processing, and has a function as a third control means.

The rshd program 16 is the above-mentioned rshd.
The remote print command is activated by the execution of the remote shell command by the program 11, and has a function as a command activation means. On the other hand, lpr program 17 by executing the remote print commands invoked by rshd program 16, printed on the filter program F ₁ to F _n and the output port Pt ₁ ~Pt _n of the specified registered name rshd program 16 It is designed to perform output processing and has a function as a fourth control means.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer server device 5 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, an interface 44 and a communication interface 45.

The CPU 41 is adapted to execute the above-mentioned filter programs F _{1 to} F _n , the nfsd program 13, the ftpd program 14, the lpd program 15, the rshd program 16 and the lpr program 17, which are stored in the ROM 42. ing. The CPU 41 outputs print data to the printers Pr ₁ to Pr _n via the interface 44 and controls communication with the Ethernet 6 via the communication interface 45. RAM43
Is used as a working area for storing the printer registration table 12 and the print data and processing the print data by the filter programs F _{1 to} F _n .

In the network system configured as described above, the host machines 1 to 4 are connected to the printers Pr ₁ to.
The operation when using Pr _n will be described.

When a mount command is executed by the nfs client 7 in the host machine 1, nfs
The d program 13 mounts the root file system of the printer server device 5 on the directory of the host machine 1. In this state, the file of the printer server device 5 can be handled by the host machine 1 in the same manner as the file of the host machine 1. Further, the nfs client 7 can handle the combination registered in the printer registration table 12 as a file having a file name of printer name.

When the print data is transferred from the host machine 1, the print data is written in the target file of the printer name by executing the file write command by the nfs client 7. As a result, the print data is transferred to the printer server device 5 via the Ethernet 6. Then, in the printer server device 5, nf
sd program 13, with reference to the printer registering table 12 based on the written file to perform the printing process of the print data transferred to the file program F ₁ to F _n and the output port Pt ₁ ~Pt _n. At this time, the print data is processed by one of the file programs F _{1 to} F _{n according to} the designated printer name, and further, from the designated port of the output ports Pt _{1 to} Pt _n to the printers Pr ₁ to Pr _n. Is output to the target one.

When the print data is transferred from the host machine 2, the ftpd program 14 is always operating in the printer server device 5, and the remote login by the ftp client 8 is accepted. In this state,
When the lsp (file name disclosure) command is executed by the ftp client 8, the ftpd program 14 discloses a list of file names of the printer server device 5 to the host machine 2. At this time, the printer name in the printer registration table 12 is also disclosed as the file name.

Then, the print data is transferred to the printer server device 5 by executing the put command by the ftp client 8 and written in a file having the print name designated by the host machine 2 side. Then, in the printer server device 5, the ftpd program 1
4 refers to the printer registration table 12 based on the written file and prints the print data by using the file programs F _{1 to} F _n and the output port Pt.
_{1 to} Pt _n .

When the print data is transferred from the host machine 3, the print data is lp in the host machine 3.
It is sent to the lpd program 10 by the r program 9. The print data is transferred to the printer server device 5 by the lpd program 10. In the printer server device 5, when the lpd program 15 receives the print data, the print process of the print data is performed by referring to the printer registration table 12 based on the printer name designated by the host machine 3 and the file program F is executed.
_{1 to} F _n and output ports Pt _{1 to} Pt _n .

When the print data is transferred from the host machine 4, when the remote shell command is executed by the rsh program 11 in the host machine 4, the remote print command is activated in the printer server device 5 by the rshd program 16. Then, the lpr program 17 executes the remote print command, and refers to the printer registration table 12 based on the printer name specified by the host machine 4 when executing the remote shell command, and prints the print data as a file. The programs F _{1 to} F _n and the output ports Pt _{1 to} Pt _n are executed.

In the printer server device 5, when print data is simultaneously output from the host machines 1 to 4 to the same printer, exclusive control is performed so that the data does not mix. Specifically, one output port is controlled to accept data from only one host machine. Then, when the data output from one host machine is completed, the data output from the next host machine becomes possible.

As described above, according to the printer server device 5 of this embodiment, it is possible to receive print data from the host machines 1 to 4 having four different types of functions and perform the print processing. Therefore, the host machines 1 to 4 having the different functions as described above are connected to the printer Pr.
_{1 to} Pr _n can be shared.

[0046]

As described above, the printer server device of the present invention is provided with the processing means for processing the print data into a form suitable for printout and the printing data from the processing means are provided in the same number as the printing device. , A registration means for registering the combination of the processing means and the output port in association with the registration name, and the top layer of the file managed by the hierarchical directory on the client side corresponding to the network file system. A combining means for combining the directory of one host machine so that the above combination can be handled as a file, and the print data written by the first host machine in the above combination when the directory combination is made by the combining means. First control means for causing the printing apparatus to output through the combined processing means and output port , A disclosure means for accepting a remote login from the second host machine on the client side corresponding to the file transfer protocol and disclosing the registered name as a file name to the second host machine, and based on the registered name disclosed by the disclosing means. A combination of registered names for which print data output is designated by the second host machine as a file, and the print data written by the second host machine is output to the printer through the processing means and output port of the combination. 2 control means, processing means for combining print data transferred by designating the registered name from the third host machine on the client side that executes the remote print command to transfer the print data, and A third control hand that causes the printing device to output through the output port And a command starting means for starting the remote print command by executing the remote shell command on the fourth host machine on the client side which executes the remote shell command to transfer the print data, and the command starting means. And a fourth control means for causing the printing device to output through the output port, the processing means of the combination of the registered names designated by executing the remote print command.

As a result, when the print data from the first to fourth host machines is accepted by the printer server device, it is output to the printing device corresponding to the combination of the processing means and the output port. Therefore, the first to fourth host machines having different functions can share the same printing device on the local area network. Therefore, it is possible to use the same printing device not only for host machines that support remote print commands, but also for host machines that support network file systems and file transfer protocols and host machines that support remote shell commands. Become.

Therefore, the printing apparatus can be shared between different models, and the processing function of the printer server apparatus in the network system can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a client-side host machine in the network system of FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer server device in the network system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional network system to which a printer server device is connected.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program for executing print processing by a client machine and a printer server device in the network system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 Ethernet (local area network) 12 Printer registration table (registration means) 13 nfsd program (coupling means, first)
Control means) 14 ftpd program (disclosure means, second)
Control means) 15 lpd program (third control means) 16 rshd program (command starting means) 17 lpr program (fourth control means) Pr _{1 to} Pr _n printer (printing means) F _{1 to} F _n filter program (processing means) Pt _{1 to} Pt _n output ports

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printer server apparatus connected to a client-side host machine via a local area network for transferring print data using TCP / IP and outputting the print data transferred from the host machine to a printing apparatus. The processing means for processing the print data into a form suitable for print output, the same number of printing devices as the output ports for outputting the print data from the processing means to the printing device, and the combination of the processing means and the output port. A registration means for registering in association with a registration name and a top layer of files managed by the hierarchical directory are combined with the directory of the first host machine corresponding to the network file system among the above host machines to combine the above combination. Joining means that can be handled as a file, and joining A first control means for causing the printing data written in the first host machine to the above-mentioned combination when the directory connection is made by the stage to be output to the printing apparatus through the processing means and the output port of the combination; Of these, the disclosure means for accepting a remote login from the second host machine corresponding to the file transfer protocol and disclosing the above registered name as a file name to the second host machine, and the second based on the registered name disclosed by the disclosing means. Second control means for outputting the print data written in the second host machine to the printing device through a processing means and an output port of the combination of the registered names for which print data output is designated by the host machine as a file Remote print command from the above host machines. A third host machine that executes a command to transfer print data and outputs the print data transferred by designating the registered name from the host machine to the printing apparatus through the processing means and the output port of the combination of the registered names. Control means, command starting means for starting a remote print command by executing a remote shell command on a fourth host machine which executes a remote shell command to transfer print data among the above host machines, and a command A printer server device comprising: a processing unit for executing a combination of registered names designated by executing a remote print command activated by the activation unit; and a fourth control unit for causing the printing apparatus to output through the output port. .