Examples: Optimal Printer
Configuration 
You should use a different printer configuration, depending on whether you are configuring production printers (time-critical printers), mass printers, or non-critical printers.
This section provides examples about configuring different printer types:
Production Printers
Production printers are time-critical printers and are used for documents that must be printed promptly, such as shipping documents or receipts.
We recommend only the two local access methods L and C for these printers. Local access requires that the SAP spool server (application server with a spool work process) and the host spool system (operating system spooler) that is responsible for the printers both run in the same host system.
The figure below shows the connection using an AIX system with access method L:
In the example, the printers are served by the SAP spool server (application server with a spool work process) with the ID AIX_C11_11 on the host system AIX.
The production printers are accessed directly through the host spool system. As the spool server and the host spool system are on the same host, use the local access method L (local printing on a UNIX/AIX host system). If you are working with a Microsoft Windows NT/2000 host system, choose the access method C (direct operating system call).
It is irrelevant whether the printer is directly connected to the host or whether it is a shared network printer. Only whether the spool server is on the same host as the host spool system (operating system spooler) is relevant for setting up output devices in the SAP System.
Non-Critical Printers
Non-critical printers are typically light-duty office printers.
You can use all access methods for non-critical printers, although the local access method is preferable for performance reasons. For more information, see General Guidelines for Optimal Printer Throughput.
The figure below shows the configuration for remote printing; that is, the SAP spool server (application server with a spool work process) is on a different host from the host spool system (operating system spooler).
In the example, the non-critical printers are served by the SAP spool server (application server with a spool work process) with the ID HPX_C11_11 on the host system HPX.
The printers are accessed, however, from the UNIX host system PSERV0. This configuration therefore uses the network access method U for transferring output data from the SAP spool server to the host spool system.
If the host spool system is on a Microsoft Windows host, the data is transferred using either access method S or access method U through SAPlpd or with access method U using the TCP/IP Print Server. For an illustration of this, see Setting Up Remote Printing for Microsoft Windows PCs.
Mass Printers
Mass printers are printers that process large print quantities, such as line printers in a central print department. They are used for printing long print jobs, such as long ABAP lists.
You can use both remote and local access methods (see the figures above). However, we recommend that you use a local access method for performance reasons.
To use remote access methods, you require a fast network and a reliable printer server as a communication partner, such as a UNIX print server.
You should not use remote printing using SAPlpd for mass printing, as this is too slow.
See also:
Planning the SAP Print Architecture
