Xerox provides Macintosh AppSocket printing with PhaserPort for MacOS, on the printer's CD-ROM. PhaserPort for MacOS provides a high-speed, bi-directional communications channel using the new plug-in communication architecture of Apple LaserWriter version 8.6.

AppSocket provides two advantages over LPR:

• AppSocket can be faster than LPR because AppSocket can print the file as it is being received, while LPR requires that the entire file be queued before printing can begin.
• AppSocket provides feedback on print job status, which is not available through LPR.

PhaserPort for MacOS System Requirements

• Macintosh PowerPC.
• Apple's LaserWriter version 8.6 or later, with Desktop Printing enabled.
• OpenTransport version 1.1 or later networking. TCP/IP networking provided by MacTCP software is not supported. The Macintosh must be properly configured to communicate with the printer (see Setting up the Macintosh Ethernet port for TCP/IP).

Files and Installation

PhaserPort for MacOS consists of two files:

• PhaserPortLib, a special type of shared library recognized by the LaserWriter driver version 8.6.
• PhaserPort Printer Tool, a Macintosh PowerPC application for creating desktop printers that communicate with PhaserPortLib.

To install PhaserPort for MacOS:

1. Copy PhaserPortLib into the folder System Folder : Extensions : Printing Plug-Ins.
2. Copy the PhaserPort Printer Tool to any folder on the Macintosh.

Creating a desktop printer with PhaserPort for MacOS

1. Launch the PhaserPort Printer Tool.
2. In the Printer Internet Address field, enter the printer's IP address or DNS name.
3. In the Desktop Printer Name field, enter a name for the desktop printer.
4. Click Verify to contact the printer over the TCP/IP network and verify it's network configuration.
5. Click Create to create the desktop printer.
6. In the Finder, use the Printing Menu's Setup command to finalize the configuration of the new desktop printer.