Question:
Why can't I print IPDS after a host restart (IPL), without rebooting the Print Server?

Answer:
When the host starts up from an IPL, it will try to connect to the defined port (for example 5001).

If the print server is still holding the connection to port 5001 "exclusive", the new connection will fail. The print server will keep holding the port if it isn't notified by the host that it's doing an IPL.

Rebooting or restarting the print server will free up the port, but it is better for you to prevent this problem from occuring by making sure that the host setup includes a specified value.

In PSF/400 environments, the Release Timer (RLST) in the PSFCFG object that your host writer references must have a setting that specifies a time interval. 15 seconds (*SEC15) is usually a good bet. Do **not** use the NOMAX setting.

In mainframe environments,the DISCINTV value in the PSF Startup Procedure, must be set to a value larger than 0. 15 (seconds) is usually a good value.

Dealing with the host release timer in this way assures that the port is freed after the specified interval of inactivity, and thus will not maintain an exclusive connection to the port at IPL time (providing proper IPL procedures are followed). In addition, specifying a release timer value enables other writers to gain access to the port when the writer in question is inactive. This gives you better degree utilization of the host.


Definitions
IPL Initial Program Load
Print Server = WinIPDS, IAPS IPDS and older products such as the Intermate101, the LAN FS3.