Can I share a printer over the internet?
Discussion
Just to elaborate.
Would it be possible for a person to have a PC running Windows and permanently on broadband, with a (fairly cheap)laserprinter connected to it, be able to allow that printer to be accessed remotely by other (selected) PC's on broadband so that htey can print out through it. And hopefully be able to tell if the document has printed.
All help very much appreciated!
Bob.
Would it be possible for a person to have a PC running Windows and permanently on broadband, with a (fairly cheap)laserprinter connected to it, be able to allow that printer to be accessed remotely by other (selected) PC's on broadband so that htey can print out through it. And hopefully be able to tell if the document has printed.
All help very much appreciated!
Bob.
If you really really have to do it, I would use a print server and forward port 9100 on your firewall to the print server instead.
The remote users can then set up a standard tcpip port on Win 2K+ pretty easily. (point at the external address of your firewall)
If they have static IP addresses, you could just allow their addresses in and it would be pretty secure as well.
HTH
The remote users can then set up a standard tcpip port on Win 2K+ pretty easily. (point at the external address of your firewall)
If they have static IP addresses, you could just allow their addresses in and it would be pretty secure as well.
HTH
Depends on the model of router/firewall you have. Specifics are tricky without knowing the model, but you need to be looking into something called port forwarding.
If you have a link to the docs, I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction.
I say port 9100, as that's normal for LPT1 on an HP print server, but others might be different.
It's a bit technical to do, but I think it would be the best solution without opening a whole can of worms.
If you have a link to the docs, I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction.
I say port 9100, as that's normal for LPT1 on an HP print server, but others might be different.
It's a bit technical to do, but I think it would be the best solution without opening a whole can of worms.
Cheer for the help BlairOut - much appreciated.
I seem to be getting somewhere - I know now how to set a machine up to access a remotely shared printer.
However I'm still aon the learner slopes of setting up the print server.
I'm using an Alcatel router. Any idea how I find out my machines IP address?
I do recall the router itself had a default IP address which would allow you to access it through a browser. However I can't for the life of me remember what it is.
I seem to be getting somewhere - I know now how to set a machine up to access a remotely shared printer.
However I'm still aon the learner slopes of setting up the print server.
I'm using an Alcatel router. Any idea how I find out my machines IP address?
I do recall the router itself had a default IP address which would allow you to access it through a browser. However I can't for the life of me remember what it is.
Launch a command prompt.
run ipconfig /all
The default gateway should be the internal IP address of your router.
You'll need to know the model no. of the router/firewall to find out if it supports port forwaring (Unless you can find it in the browser interface). If it doesn't you'll need to establish if it's within your budget to replace it. (And worth the extra buggeration)
run ipconfig /all
The default gateway should be the internal IP address of your router.
You'll need to know the model no. of the router/firewall to find out if it supports port forwaring (Unless you can find it in the browser interface). If it doesn't you'll need to establish if it's within your budget to replace it. (And worth the extra buggeration)
Almost, if it is a NAT router, you need to forward the port rather than set up a route. I'm assuming your internal addresses are 192.168.x.x and you are using NAT (Extremely likely!)
You should be looking to forward traffic received on port 9100 of the public IP address of the router to port 9100 of the private address of your printer.
(That is again assuming your print server is running on port 9100 of course)
I'm outta here now, hopefully someone else can pick this up if I'm not about for a while.
You should be looking to forward traffic received on port 9100 of the public IP address of the router to port 9100 of the private address of your printer.
(That is again assuming your print server is running on port 9100 of course)
I'm outta here now, hopefully someone else can pick this up if I'm not about for a while.
Just to elaborate, so you know what you're getting yourself into, LPD is a non-authenticated unix service that allows computers on the network to print to a particular printer.
Windows doesn't really work in this way, it usually sets up File+Printer sharing which you do NOT want to allow onto the Internet. Good news is that Windows XP/2000 comes with a LPD Server which will act just like a unix LPD server and will print whatever data it receives. To get it working you'll need to follow these instructions:
<a href="http://www.asu.edu/clas/pscs/printing/lpd.htm">www.asu.edu/clas/pscs/printing/lpd.htm</a>
It listens on port 9100, that's why you need to pass it through on the router.
As posted above, you should port forward 9100/tcp to the IP address of your internal machine, and open the port on your firewall.
I'd be VERY wary about enabling printer sharing over the Internet though! Remember ANYONE can send data to your printer and it will not authenticate it or anything - so you might get a nasty surprise when someone sends 1000 pages of black to your printer at 3am
If you really need to, set the firewall so that only specified remote IP addresses can access it.
>> Edited by john_p on Wednesday 26th January 01:57
Windows doesn't really work in this way, it usually sets up File+Printer sharing which you do NOT want to allow onto the Internet. Good news is that Windows XP/2000 comes with a LPD Server which will act just like a unix LPD server and will print whatever data it receives. To get it working you'll need to follow these instructions:
<a href="http://www.asu.edu/clas/pscs/printing/lpd.htm">www.asu.edu/clas/pscs/printing/lpd.htm</a>
It listens on port 9100, that's why you need to pass it through on the router.
As posted above, you should port forward 9100/tcp to the IP address of your internal machine, and open the port on your firewall.
I'd be VERY wary about enabling printer sharing over the Internet though! Remember ANYONE can send data to your printer and it will not authenticate it or anything - so you might get a nasty surprise when someone sends 1000 pages of black to your printer at 3am
If you really need to, set the firewall so that only specified remote IP addresses can access it.
>> Edited by john_p on Wednesday 26th January 01:57
Another similar solution would be to have a Linux/*BSD box inside your network, let it run ssh, have the router port forward to that machine, then set up the clients to ssh to that box and use ssh's built-in port forwarding mechanisms to forward onto the printer box. It might seem like a lot more effort, but the benefit is that your printer is then protected by the need for the user to authenticate in some way - either with a password or key exchange.
People wishing to print to your printer would however need to run Putty or ssh themselves though, on the downside.
HTH
Ciao
Zak
People wishing to print to your printer would however need to run Putty or ssh themselves though, on the downside.
HTH
Ciao
Zak
BliarOut said:
If they have static IP addresses, you could just allow their addresses in and it would be pretty secure as well.
HTH
They probably have dynamic addresses so set up a no-ip.com hostname for them and allow that instead.
www.no-ip.com
IPP was invented for doing exactly this.
Lots of more recent printservers (either internal cards or external boxes) support it, as do MS, Apple, Novell, etc server OSs. CUPS on unix/linux systems will do it too. I believe (not tried it myself) it can also work on win2k/xp pro if you have IIS installed.
Gives you much simpler authentication (no faffing with ssh), plus you get job control, ability to send drivers to the client, and it all works over standard web ports. A much, much better solution.
Lots of more recent printservers (either internal cards or external boxes) support it, as do MS, Apple, Novell, etc server OSs. CUPS on unix/linux systems will do it too. I believe (not tried it myself) it can also work on win2k/xp pro if you have IIS installed.
Gives you much simpler authentication (no faffing with ssh), plus you get job control, ability to send drivers to the client, and it all works over standard web ports. A much, much better solution.
Found this newsgroup posting from an MS support tech that suggests it's possible on win2k/xp pro (along with other useful info):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Configuring the IPP Print Server:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
The print server can be either a Win2K Pro or Server machine. However, in
either case, the Win2K machine MUST have IIS 5 or higher installed and
configured. (IIS is synonymous with PWS, Peer Web Services, which is what
was
used in previous versions of Windows. Some documentation may say that PWS
needs to be installed on the Win2K Pro machines, however, this is
incorrect.
At the last minute, Win2KPro was released with IIS instead of PWS, so in
either
case, whether it be Win2K Pro or Server, IIS must be installed.)
1. Make sure IIS is installed and configured on the computer hosting the
printer (to be shared).
-To do this, go to Add/ Remove Programs. Then click on Add/Remove
Windows
Components and make sure IIS has a check in it.
-If the checkbox is not there, put a check in IIS, click next and
select
all default options till the installation wizard completes.
-This will install and configure basic IIS on the current machine.
-You can further test IIS by trying to open the default page:
http://localhost
http://127.0.0.1
http://<Computername>
2. Verify that IIS is configured to share printing:
-Open Computer Management
-Expand Services and Applications
-Expand Internet and Information Services
-Expand Default Web Site
-Verify that there is a category for "Printers"
If there is not a category for printers, share out a printer and restart
the
computer. This should fix the problem.
3. Verify that the printer is shared out
4. Verify that the client has proper authentication to access resources on
the
print server, such as a valid username and password or by enabling the
guest
account. The client will need a valid username to authenticate share
access, as with any network sharing with Windows 2000. This can be done
in
Local Users and Groups (Professional in a workgroup) or Active Directory
Users and groups (Server/ domain).
For additional information about configuring network authentication with
Windows 2000, please refer to the knowledge base articles listed below:
Q258938 Network Clients Prompted for Password Connecting to Share
Q258717 Windows 2000 Professional in a Peer-to-Peer Workgroup
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Configuring the IPP Client:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
1. The client needs to have IPP installed to be able to print to an
Internet
Printer. In Windows 2000 (all versions) IPP is automatically installed
and
ready to go. If the client is Win9x they will have to download and
install
IPP (AKA Internet Print Services).
NOTE: Windows Millennium (ME) has an IPP client ON THE INSTALLATION CD. It
is
not installed by default, but is available. Also, this can be used to
install
IPP on ANY Win9x computer to get it up and running (ie. Win95, win98).
From
the CD, run the following:
<CD Drive Letter>add-onsIPPwpnpins.exe
IPP software can also be installed for Win9x by running the following
command
off the Windows 2000 Server CD Rom:
<CD Drive Letter>clientswin9xipp.cliwpnpins.exe
IPP software can also be downloaded from the following sources:
Windows 95:
<www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/WUPreviews/IPP/Defaul
t.asp>
Windows 98:
<www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUPreviews/IPP/Defaul
t.asp>
NOTE: The above UNC addresses are one path; they have been wrapped for
readability. Be sure and include all text within the carrots.
Windows ME: add-onsIPPwpnpins.exe (On the ME CD-Rom)
2. Once the client has IPP installed, it is time to set the printer up.
The easiest way is to browse to the IIS Server in IE, by typing the FQDN
(Fully
Qualified Domain Name) or IP address of the Server. We want to get to the
Printers subfolder on the hosted web page. You can also browse to this by
doing the following:
Start > Run > http://<FQDN or IP address>/printers
Alternately, IPP printers can be installed in the Add Printer wizard:
-Select network printer and click next.
-Select the “Connect to a printer on the Internet or on your Intranet”
radio button, and type the FQDN or IP address of the print server.
Note: If IIS has not been configured to link to a public FQDN, IPP can be
Also be configured by browsing with IP address:
Start > Run > http://<IP_Address_of_IIS_Server>/printers
NOTE: IP address MUST be used if an FQDN has not been configured with IIS.
Computernames will NOT work 99% of the time. Also please remember that
dynamic IP addresses for the Print Server’s Interface may change,
depending on
the connection type and ISP. It is preferable that a static IP address be
obtained for the Print Server’s Interface to the Internet.
3. This should display a list of all the printers that are installed on the
Server AND SHARED OUT.
Note: If the printer is not shared out, it will not appear.
4. To install the printer, click the link for the printer out of the list.
This will take you to the "queue" and properties for that printer.
Simply
click "Connect". This will automatically install the printer. You can
then
click the link to open "the printers folder" and see a list of this
newly
installed Internet Printer, as well as any other installed local and
network
printers.
NOTE: The Internet Printer will appear in the Client's local printers
folder,
along with all Local and conventional Network printers. It will appear to
be just like a local printer.
More Information:
If you have problems printing to an existing IPP Printer, there may be
some
changes in the IIS Server's network addressing information. The easiest
way
to troubleshoot this is to just recreate the printer by browsing to it and
clicking "Connect" once again.
Other information can be read in these articles:
ID: Q257416 How to Install an Internet Printer in Windows 2000 Using PWM
ID: Q222093 Prompted for Drivers Connecting to Internet Print Server
ID: Q221485 Cannot Connect to Web Printer with Standard URL
ID: Q252416 Internet Printing May Not Work on a NAT Server
ID: Q248344 Overview of Internet Printing in Windows 2000
ID: Q249649 How to Install an IPP Printer in Windows 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Configuring the IPP Print Server:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
The print server can be either a Win2K Pro or Server machine. However, in
either case, the Win2K machine MUST have IIS 5 or higher installed and
configured. (IIS is synonymous with PWS, Peer Web Services, which is what
was
used in previous versions of Windows. Some documentation may say that PWS
needs to be installed on the Win2K Pro machines, however, this is
incorrect.
At the last minute, Win2KPro was released with IIS instead of PWS, so in
either
case, whether it be Win2K Pro or Server, IIS must be installed.)
1. Make sure IIS is installed and configured on the computer hosting the
printer (to be shared).
-To do this, go to Add/ Remove Programs. Then click on Add/Remove
Windows
Components and make sure IIS has a check in it.
-If the checkbox is not there, put a check in IIS, click next and
select
all default options till the installation wizard completes.
-This will install and configure basic IIS on the current machine.
-You can further test IIS by trying to open the default page:
http://localhost
http://127.0.0.1
http://<Computername>
2. Verify that IIS is configured to share printing:
-Open Computer Management
-Expand Services and Applications
-Expand Internet and Information Services
-Expand Default Web Site
-Verify that there is a category for "Printers"
If there is not a category for printers, share out a printer and restart
the
computer. This should fix the problem.
3. Verify that the printer is shared out
4. Verify that the client has proper authentication to access resources on
the
print server, such as a valid username and password or by enabling the
guest
account. The client will need a valid username to authenticate share
access, as with any network sharing with Windows 2000. This can be done
in
Local Users and Groups (Professional in a workgroup) or Active Directory
Users and groups (Server/ domain).
For additional information about configuring network authentication with
Windows 2000, please refer to the knowledge base articles listed below:
Q258938 Network Clients Prompted for Password Connecting to Share
Q258717 Windows 2000 Professional in a Peer-to-Peer Workgroup
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Configuring the IPP Client:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
1. The client needs to have IPP installed to be able to print to an
Internet
Printer. In Windows 2000 (all versions) IPP is automatically installed
and
ready to go. If the client is Win9x they will have to download and
install
IPP (AKA Internet Print Services).
NOTE: Windows Millennium (ME) has an IPP client ON THE INSTALLATION CD. It
is
not installed by default, but is available. Also, this can be used to
install
IPP on ANY Win9x computer to get it up and running (ie. Win95, win98).
From
the CD, run the following:
<CD Drive Letter>add-onsIPPwpnpins.exe
IPP software can also be installed for Win9x by running the following
command
off the Windows 2000 Server CD Rom:
<CD Drive Letter>clientswin9xipp.cliwpnpins.exe
IPP software can also be downloaded from the following sources:
Windows 95:
<www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/WUPreviews/IPP/Defaul
t.asp>
Windows 98:
<www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUPreviews/IPP/Defaul
t.asp>
NOTE: The above UNC addresses are one path; they have been wrapped for
readability. Be sure and include all text within the carrots.
Windows ME: add-onsIPPwpnpins.exe (On the ME CD-Rom)
2. Once the client has IPP installed, it is time to set the printer up.
The easiest way is to browse to the IIS Server in IE, by typing the FQDN
(Fully
Qualified Domain Name) or IP address of the Server. We want to get to the
Printers subfolder on the hosted web page. You can also browse to this by
doing the following:
Start > Run > http://<FQDN or IP address>/printers
Alternately, IPP printers can be installed in the Add Printer wizard:
-Select network printer and click next.
-Select the “Connect to a printer on the Internet or on your Intranet”
radio button, and type the FQDN or IP address of the print server.
Note: If IIS has not been configured to link to a public FQDN, IPP can be
Also be configured by browsing with IP address:
Start > Run > http://<IP_Address_of_IIS_Server>/printers
NOTE: IP address MUST be used if an FQDN has not been configured with IIS.
Computernames will NOT work 99% of the time. Also please remember that
dynamic IP addresses for the Print Server’s Interface may change,
depending on
the connection type and ISP. It is preferable that a static IP address be
obtained for the Print Server’s Interface to the Internet.
3. This should display a list of all the printers that are installed on the
Server AND SHARED OUT.
Note: If the printer is not shared out, it will not appear.
4. To install the printer, click the link for the printer out of the list.
This will take you to the "queue" and properties for that printer.
Simply
click "Connect". This will automatically install the printer. You can
then
click the link to open "the printers folder" and see a list of this
newly
installed Internet Printer, as well as any other installed local and
network
printers.
NOTE: The Internet Printer will appear in the Client's local printers
folder,
along with all Local and conventional Network printers. It will appear to
be just like a local printer.
More Information:
If you have problems printing to an existing IPP Printer, there may be
some
changes in the IIS Server's network addressing information. The easiest
way
to troubleshoot this is to just recreate the printer by browsing to it and
clicking "Connect" once again.
Other information can be read in these articles:
ID: Q257416 How to Install an Internet Printer in Windows 2000 Using PWM
ID: Q222093 Prompted for Drivers Connecting to Internet Print Server
ID: Q221485 Cannot Connect to Web Printer with Standard URL
ID: Q252416 Internet Printing May Not Work on a NAT Server
ID: Q248344 Overview of Internet Printing in Windows 2000
ID: Q249649 How to Install an IPP Printer in Windows 2000
Wow that's pretty concise. Cheers!
As soon as I get a minute I'll give it a bash.
I just need to find out if they have a decent router where I'm planning to set this up.
Another Idea that occured to me is - Would it be possible to set up a system that constantly monitored for PDF files FTP'd to some webspace and automatically opened and printed them when they arrived?
I know big (repro industry) workflow systems can do this, but is it possible to create a homespun version from just a PC, Laser Printer and broadband connection?
And if anyone thinks of any other (easy) methods of remote printing then please drop me a line.
Thanks again for all your help guys.
Bob.
>> Edited by bobfrance on Thursday 27th January 10:45
As soon as I get a minute I'll give it a bash.
I just need to find out if they have a decent router where I'm planning to set this up.
Another Idea that occured to me is - Would it be possible to set up a system that constantly monitored for PDF files FTP'd to some webspace and automatically opened and printed them when they arrived?
I know big (repro industry) workflow systems can do this, but is it possible to create a homespun version from just a PC, Laser Printer and broadband connection?
And if anyone thinks of any other (easy) methods of remote printing then please drop me a line.
Thanks again for all your help guys.
Bob.
>> Edited by bobfrance on Thursday 27th January 10:45
BUMP!
Hi Folks,
I'vemanaged to set up the Win 2K print server and it all looks pretty good and I think I'm even getting access through the router. However when I try to access it (on another computer) via http://<IP Address>/printers I get asked for a username and password.
I have no Idea what it might be as I have no recollection of setting one (I'm fairly sure it's definately not the router asking)
On a sidenote - If I was to plug a networkable printer into the Router via standard 100 BaseT connection. would I be able to configure the router to forward outside data to it without having to bother with all this print server stuff?
Cheers!
Bob.
Hi Folks,
I'vemanaged to set up the Win 2K print server and it all looks pretty good and I think I'm even getting access through the router. However when I try to access it (on another computer) via http://<IP Address>/printers I get asked for a username and password.
I have no Idea what it might be as I have no recollection of setting one (I'm fairly sure it's definately not the router asking)
On a sidenote - If I was to plug a networkable printer into the Router via standard 100 BaseT connection. would I be able to configure the router to forward outside data to it without having to bother with all this print server stuff?
Cheers!
Bob.
OK, the chances are that if you're getting that far, it's attempting to authenticate using a local user account on the server itself.
When you login to the server you will (probably) have to provide a username and password. Those credentials will work (though should not be used as it will be an admin account).
You can create a new user account (using the computer management MMC) for that purpose.
D
When you login to the server you will (probably) have to provide a username and password. Those credentials will work (though should not be used as it will be an admin account).
You can create a new user account (using the computer management MMC) for that purpose.
D
Cheers for that.
However I seem to have stumbled on a far easier simpler way to do it using this software.
www.traction-software.co.uk/batchprint/
Essentially with Batch & Print you can create a hotfolder (via FTP in my case), that will automatically print amost any file placed into it automatically.
For ease, I'll be using PDFs as they have the added bonus of being far smaller than the equivalent printer file, which will be a big help when sending fairly large files via a standard ADSL connection.
It's shareware, but I think it's well worth the 20 quid licience fee.
Thanks again for all your help everyone.
I've certainly learnt a lot over the last week or so.
Bob.
However I seem to have stumbled on a far easier simpler way to do it using this software.
www.traction-software.co.uk/batchprint/
Essentially with Batch & Print you can create a hotfolder (via FTP in my case), that will automatically print amost any file placed into it automatically.
For ease, I'll be using PDFs as they have the added bonus of being far smaller than the equivalent printer file, which will be a big help when sending fairly large files via a standard ADSL connection.
It's shareware, but I think it's well worth the 20 quid licience fee.
Thanks again for all your help everyone.
I've certainly learnt a lot over the last week or so.
Bob.
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