IBM OS/390 User Manual

Chapter 11. Advanced Function Printing and Print Services
Facility/MVS

11.1 Introducing PSF/MVS

Print Services Facility (PSF) is the Advanced Function printing (AFP)
printer-driver program for VSE and OS/390, as well as AIX, OS/2, VM and
OS/400.

PSF has similar capabilities in all environments, plus differences unique to the
operating system on which it is running. This chapter describes the differences
between the VSE and OS/390 environments.

11.1.1 Functional Comparison between PSF/VSE and PSF/MVS

PSF/MVS supports all the printers and functions supported by PSF/VSE. In fact,
you can regard PSF/MVS as a “super-set” of PSF/VSE. See

AFP: Printer

Information, G544-3290 for details.

11.1.1.1 Printers Supported

Both PSF/VSE and PSF/MVS support the same channel-attached printers, and
SNA-attached network printers. In addition, PSF/MVS supports TCP/IP connected
printers. (These are not supported by VSE/PSF.)

11.1.1.2 Printer Features

All features supported by PSF/VSE, such as “N-up” printing and ACIF (AFP
Conversion and Indexing Facility) are also supported by PSF/MVS.

11.1.1.3 PSF/MVS Exclusives

The following features of PSF/MVS provide additional function:

•

MVS Download to distribute output through PSF/6000 and AIX InfoPrint
Manager

•

NetSpool to capture output from VTAM print applications

•

Installation Exits for separator pages, record transmission, and resource
management

•

Microfilm Printing

•

PSF-Direct printing to bypass JES spooling

11.1.2 Migration Effort

PSF/VSE and PSF/MVS have many common components and externals.
Therefore, the effort to migrate is minimal and consists of the following major
tasks:

Microfilm printing is enabled for Anacomp film printing systems.

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