So far I'm only using the printing feature, but was very easy to install in Ubuntu/Debian. Brother makes their linux drivers available here:

http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/lpr_drivers.html
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/printer/linux/cups_drivers.html

For me, I only needed the cups drivers (not using lpr at all on debian i guess). The easiest way to get this going is to install the debian cups driver

dkpkg -i cupswrappermfc5440cn_1.0.0-1_i386.deb

Then, use the Printer->Add Printer, or whatever utility you use. With my setup, I'm using it as a network printer, using the HP jetDirect connection method. I just had to specify the printer's network address, and I was all good.

Caveat: I've noticed that print jobs won't remove themselves from the print queue after they've completed. So, the next item in the queue won't go unless I manually cancel the completed jobs. No biggie.

Please Note Both Drivers are Required!! You should install first the lpr one then the CUPS one.

http://solutions.brother.com/linux/s...r_drivers.html
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/s...s_drivers.html

Therefore these are the steps:
Download Both Debs. Then in a termianl change to the directory where the debs are and preform the following (by copy and paste if neccessary):

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install csh # required for the install
sudo mkdir /var/spool/lpd # this way the deb does not complain about the absence of a sub-file.
sudo rm /usr/lib/libbrcompij* # as suggested on the website, and so the installer does not complain
sudo dpkg -i ./mfc5440cnlpr-1.0.2-1.i386.deb # install the lpr driver
sudo dpkg -i ./cupswrappermfc5440cn_1.0.0-1_i386.deb # install the CUPS driver
sudo /etc/init.d/cupsys restart # the install complains about not finding /etc/init.d/cups but we know it's cupsys not cups

Logout and back in again (I'm not sure if this is required or not). Go to "System" -> "Administration" -> "Printing" and you should see the printer already there (if not then click on "New Printer" and follow the steps.

Also this works fine with the printer hooked up to the network (HP Jet Direct) or through USB.

Germany Zulu

excellent guide. just my printer say "reciving data" and does nothing at all.. :-(

My printer says "receiving data" and does not print. Also, in the printer properties(under the general tab), the status says "Printing: Unable to lookup host 'usb' - Unknown host"
any advice anyone?

quality of print is about a 7, functionality is about a 9, reliability is about a 10, linux support is about a 4

germanyzulu: thanks a lot for that instructing, worked like a charm!

Had this product for several years, it failed last year. Reason unknown, replaced with newer model of same manufacturer.

I used the printer, copier function and scanner. The latter works with the X-sane scanner tool. Setting up via the network (LAN, RJ45) was via the command line only. Instructions were accurate and concise and I had it running quickly. Must say that I upgraded my system during use of this device, the first time setting up took a lot longer!

Product is now probably EoL and therefore no longer available.