ZPL/.prn Read via TCP

[Kenneth_H]

Help please!!!

          I'm struggling with a project and I'm losing my hair. I need to be able to read the .prn file sent from our print server to a Zebra ZT230. The software we use for printing contains a custom made XML application to convert the data into ZPL, and sends the file to the print server via LPR service on Port 515 (see XML_Print_Service.jpg). I have tried setting up TCP read, going through NI Max, I've enabled both LPR and LPD services, I've tried different ports 515, 9100, 6100 etc. and I get nothing. I've requested read access to the server's print queue folder through IT and have been denied. I've requested IT to setup a new printer on the server using a generic Text only driver and I was told it was impossible. I've tried to read from the server IP, the printer IP, and i've tried to bridge the connection and read from the bridged IP. I don't know what I'm doing wrong or what else to try. I just need to get the ZPL data somehow. I need suggestions.

[rolfk]

This is a LabVIEW board. How is this related to LabVIEW?

[Kenneth_H]

Am I using the correct LabVIEW communication protocol? I struggle with TCP read every time I use it. I typically use just open/write/close in a loop and that seems to work. I get errors or connection refused when I setup a read vi. Are there any vi's that might work better with LPD/LPR service? There are a lot of posts on here about writing ZPL to a Zebra printer. I need the print server to send to Labview and have Labview send to the Zebra printer. The print server doesn't recognize LabVIEW as a printer so it shows that connection offline. Is there a way to setup a virtual printer using the Zebra ZT230 driver? I'm pretty sure my code is correct. I am able to read the FTP port 21 just fine.