We can share printers using samba. The servers we should install are cups and samba. After installing the servers and setting up printers connected to the server, we should have /etc/samba/smb.conf file like this:

  [global]
  workgroup = workgroup_name
  netbios name = server_name
  server string =  Print Server
  load printers = yes
  printing = cups
  printcap name = cups
  encrypt passwords = yes
  security = user
  valid users = a_valid_user_name

  [print$]
  comment = Printer Drivers
  path = /etc/samba/printer
  guest ok = no
  browseable = yes
  read only = yes
  write list = a_valid_user_name

  [printers]
  valid users = a_valid_user_name
  comment = All Printers
  path = /var/spool/samba
  browseable = no
  public = no
  guest ok = no
  writable = no
  printable = yes
  printer admin = a_valid_user_name

Here, a_valid_user_name can be a username defined in samba users. This definition can be done using

  smbpasswd -a system_user

If there are no /etc/samba/printer and /var/spool/samba directories, please create so. If you install a postscript(PS) printer, you should extract {{blog:technical:windows_drivers.tar.gz|this}} file into the directories /var/spool/samba and /etc/samba/printer . After extracting chmod these extracted files to 777 and apply this command as root:

  cupsaddsmb -H server_name -U root -h domain_name -a -v

this command will install drivers for windows computers to automagically download PS drivers when they connect to the printer.

Now, edit /etc/cups/cupsd.conf and set server_name and server admin parameters. If you want to manage cups from only the machine you are using, find the section below:

  
  AuthType Basic
  AuthClass System
  Allow From 127.0.0.1
  

and set Allow From to 127.0.0.1 . You can set this entry whatever IP you want to manage cups from.

Find /etc/cups/mime.convs and uncomment the line like following:

  application/octet-stream        application/vnd.cups-raw        0

Find /etc/cups/mime.types and uncomment the line like following:

  application/octet-stream

Now restart the servers. You should now see the shared printers on windows machines.
Good Luck!!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 12:23 pm and is filed under technical. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.