I have an Ubuntu 12.04 server with Samba 3.6.3 installed with CUPS running. I also have network printers installed on the server. When I access the server from my Win7 PC I can see the printers, right click in the pane and select server properties,but I can not add the drivers to the server. The add tab is greyed out.

I can add the printer through the wizard with add network printer, \\server\printername and add the drivers from disk. The problem is my boss is requesting that I have the drivers automagically install from the server to client machines. I need to be able to access the add drivers tab under server properties.

Any suggestions?

That is not possible. You add drivers to the linux system through the package management system on the linux system. If you need to add a win box to access a cups printer, then you have to have the windows driver for the windows system locally. It either be part of windows, or will be supplied by the printer maker.

The drivers for linux and windows are not the same code. That is the way it is. Your boss has something to learn.

I thought so, I tried discussing this with him and he does not believe me since I am new to Linux. He will not deploy this server until it works to his specifications, and I suspect he is just giving me dead end busy work to occupy me.

This link is the defacto standard for linux printing. Have your boss have a look.

-->http://www.linuxfoundation.org/colla...s/openprinting

There are lists of supported printer, the drivers that are know to work, and the 'gereric instructions' of how to install the drivers.

If the boss has to have it operate 'as windows', he will have to decide to spend the money on a windows system.