More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk
or call  +61 3 9521-8070

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk
or call +61 3 9521-8070

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk
or call +61 3 9521-8070

More information at ...

http://www.atac.com.au/barr.htm

http://www.atac.com.au/emtex.htm

Email David Kirk
or call +61 3 9521-8070

Barr Encryption

Barr Enterprise Print Server (BEPS) 4.x supports data encryption (and compression) when transferring from one BEPS unit to another.  The Barr Enterprise Print Server uses AES (Rijndael), a fast, robust encryption algorithm, with data compression and decompression.  Compressing data before encryption eliminates redundant data and improves the robustness of the encryption.  It also improves efficiency because there is less data to encrypt and transfer.  At the receiving end, the data is decrypted and then decompressed.

AES relies on two identical keys, installed on each end of the link.  Each computer has a key that it can use to encrypt a packet of information before it is sent over the network to another computer.  You can use the Encryption Key Manager to name the key and assign a pass phrase on the first Barr computer.  On the second Barr computer, use the Encryption Key Manager to define the same name and pass phrase.

You can only encrypt data that is being sent to another Barr Enterprise Print Server computer.  You can only decrypt data that you receive from another Barr Enterprise Print Server computer.  An Encryption Key Name field, NDHBKEYN, is contained in the Data Set Header Internal Custom Section.  By adding this column to the Spool Window, you can specify the Encryption Key Name for this job.

If receiving compressed files via LPD, ensure you select DECRYPT on the FORMAT tab of the relevant receive queue.  For files being received and input via Print Utility, the FORMAT tab also includes a DECRYPT option.

Barr Compression

BEPS 4.x can compress data to reduce data transmission times and bandwidth.  Compressed files can be read in by Print Utility and decompressed as they enter the Spool Window.  Data can also be compressed when they are written to disk or sent to another BARR/SPOOL computer.  The amount of compression will vary by data type.  Text compresses very well; however some binary formats like images, compress poorly or not at all.

Without setting special switches or options, the contents of compressed files will be decompressed by Print Utility and sent to the Spool Window.  If an uncompressed file has a zipped extension (.gz and .z), the contents will be read by Print Utility and the data will be processed as the file type selected.  When multiple files are present, each file will be treated as an independent data set.  After processing, the compressed file will be handled according to the disposition settings specified when you automatically or manually add a file to the spool.  Print Utility currently does not support files created using PKZIP.

A compression field, NDHBCMPL, is contained in the Data Set Header Internal Custom Section.  By adding this column to the Spool Window, you can specify the compression level of the selected job, ranging from 0 to 9 (0 turns compression off).

If receiving compressed files via LPD, ensure you select DECOMPRESS on the FORMAT tab of the relevant receive queue.  For input via PRINT UTILITY, the DECOMPRESS switch is also found on the FORMAT tab of the relevant input setting.

Barr/DOS Final Renewals

As detailed over a year ago now, the Barr/DOS products have now reached end-of-life.  No further Barr/DOS Annual Service Agreements (ASA) will be renewed, and support will no longer be provided beyond the existing ASA expiry dates.  This marks the end of nearly 25 years of life for the Barr/DOS range, which has transported and processed BILLIONS and BILLIONS of pages of text throughout the world during this period.

The Barr/DOS program was a truly elegant program, controlling most aspects of its operation completely, and always going faster, faster, FASTER than any opposition!  Designed in a world of single 8-bit processors with top-down assembly language programming emulating multi-tasking well before Microsoft Windows, it's a sad day to put this product to rest.

If you are still running Barr/DOS in your organisation, contact David Kirk at Atac to discuss your options today.

Q & A

Q.  How should I gather Diagnostics for Emtex when I have an issue?

A.  Typically, we need the job itself, which would include the PROFILE, SET, DATA file and any required RESOURCES.  Additionally, the SYSTEM.LOG and VERSIONS.LOG files tell us about your system in detail and are required in most cases.  VERSIONS.LOG is produced/updated by choosing HELP  | PRODUCT INFO | MORE INFO, and is found in C:\VIP8.4\SYSTEM, along with SYSTEM.LOG.  Finally, we need a detailed explanation of the issue you are having, and clear and concise steps to enable us to replicate it.  Providing these items helps us to provide a solution back to you in as short a time as possible.

Q.  When I receive an encrypted or compressed file from another BEPS unit, my BEPS tries to re-encrypt or re-compress it when I send it to my local printer.  Why does this occur and how can I fix it?

A.  Transfers between BEPS units are performed in BARR ARCHIVE format, which preserves all settings, including the encryption and compression field contents.  The file therefore arrives on your BEPS with both these fields (still) set.  In order to print to a local printer, the fields need to be cleared.  This is normally done at receive time by an Override Table rule, unconditionally clearing the NDHBCMPL and NDHBKEYN fields.  (If the file is later required to be on-forwarded to another BEPS, you'll need to manually re-populate either or both of these fields again.)

Q.  Who is/are Atac?

A.  Atac is the Barr and Emtex Distributor for Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia.  With over fourteen years experience in the market, we support systems running 24x7x365 from Christchurch to Tokyo and Perth to Mumbai, in most of the largest print shops in the region.

Our customers include banks, print bureaux, financial institutions and petro-chemical companies as well as printer and mainframe vendors.  Outsourcing organisations and facilities management companies make extensive use of Atac's expertise.

Atac is privately owned, with an extensive technical background stretching back nearly forty years of continuously profitable operation.  Our website is at www.atac.com.au.

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