How do I connect to a print server in Linux?

IsharaComix · 10-19-2008, 08:07 PM

Hello again, LQ. If you haven't noticed yet, I'm the whiny guy who wants to be Linux-educated but can't figure anything out on his own. I've used Windows as a crutch for too long, and this is my last step towards Windows Independence.

We've got a Netgear Wireless Print Server in our home:
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Prin...s/WGPS606.aspx

But I can't figure out how to connect to it properly in Linux? I've tried looking at CUPS and stuff, but I can't figure out what to do. By that, I mean I don't know whether its IPP or HTP or LPT or whatever. The website I provided shows the product, but it has absolutely helpful info that I can find.

It works flawlessly in Windows Vista, but the wizard that I used to install it shields all the technical stuff that I need to know to set it up in Linux.

The print server is connected to our internet server. From my computer's perspective:

My Gateway: 192.168.1.1
My Laptop: 192.168.1.101
My Print Server: 192.168.1.206
My Printer is an HP Deskjet 9800 connected to Port 1.
I'm running Xubuntu 8.04

When I check my printer's properties it says its in port "IP_192.168.1.206P1" but the CUPS front-end doesn't seem to like when I give it that answer.

Can I get a step-by-step tutorial on how to do this? The info might have been in the manual... but I'm not the one who bought the thing so I have no clue where the manual is (and neither does anybody else). Let me know if you need more info.

irishbitte · 10-19-2008, 08:44 PM

Have you tried installing the printer driver:

Go to Administration-> Printing->

Click New Printer in top left.

Wait for Search to finish.

Click on LPD/LPR Printer.

Type the address of your Print Server, in this case, 192.168.1.206 in the Host box. Then click Probe.

Let us know how you go....

vishy8859 · 10-19-2008, 08:45 PM

go for GUI.... can make out that u r amateur...follow irishbitte

IsharaComix · 10-19-2008, 09:15 PM

@irishbitte

I've done it before, but I'm running it now again anyways. Whenever I click "probe," the program freezes.

Just for the heck of it, I pinged the printer server and got this back:

Code:

PING 192.168.1.206 (192.168.1.206) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=7.07 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=7.58 ms (DUP!)
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=3.47 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=3.99 ms (DUP!)
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=6.60 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=7.04 ms (DUP!)
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=4 ttl=64 time=3.51 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.206: icmp_seq=4 ttl=64 time=4.10 ms (DUP!)
I pressed ctrl-c here

--- 192.168.1.206 ping statistics ---
4 packets transmitted, 4 received, +4 duplicates, 0% packet loss, time 3001ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 3.476/5.424/7.588/1.681 ms

Note: I've got two printers plugged into this server (which might be why I'm getting a duplicate pong).

vishy8859 · 10-20-2008, 08:50 AM

hi...ishara....is ur printer connected to wireless router?

john test · 10-20-2008, 11:28 AM

Might want to disconnect the other printer until you get this one up and running and then add the other one back in to eliminate conflict.

michaelk · 10-20-2008, 11:38 AM

From a quick goole the first printer name should be p1 (port 1). Probing the print server might be causing the problem and specifying the name might work.

A duplicate ping could mean several things but is unrelated to the printers.

irishbitte · 10-20-2008, 05:24 PM

Yeah, try plugging out one of the printers, then follow the directions I gave you again. The problem you're hitting is that unfortunately your print 'server' is using the one IP address for both printers. Try a portscan:

[CODE]Go to System -> Administration -> Network Tools.
Click on Portscan tab at top.
Type in IP address and click scan.[CODE]
The only way the two printers can be separated is using separate ports, however your 'server' may not allow you that level of configuration.

IsharaComix · 10-20-2008, 07:21 PM

Thanks for the help, everyone... but a friend of mine at school pointed me in the direction of a very nice tutorial:

http://www.cups.org/articles.php?L317+T+P1+Q

I had to specify the port L1 explicitly to detect my printer.

Now I'm 100% Windows-Free! Woohoo. Hopefully I'll never have to boot my machine back into Windows Vista. I've got printers, I've got Internet, I've got soda. I am very content.

Once again, thanks to irishbitte and everyone else at LQ for the help. Hopefully now I can stop being such a pain in the rear and start helping other new folks enjoy their Linux systems as much as I do!

irishbitte · 10-21-2008, 09:26 AM

Good stuff, glad you got sorted! Thanks for posting the link up, it will help others to solve the same problem!