Getting my printer to work on Mandrake 8.0

[heljy]

Ok guys, I finally decided to try to get my linux box to print some stuff.

This is my setup.

I have an NEC Superscript 870 and I am using a print server (Netgear PS101) and its then connected to my 8-port switch where all of my other computers are connected to.

I managed to setup printing from my windows machines, standard TCP/IP printing and set the ip address of the print server to 192.168.0.120 <-- thats the IP address.

I was wondering if I can setup TCP/IP printing from my linux box too. This is what I have tried:

From Mandrake Control Center, I selected Hardware->Printer, then I choose the option to change my printer queue "lp". There are 3 options available:

Local printer <-- probably not this, I tried it as well, and it didnt work

Remote printer <-- gives 3 other options: Remote CUPS server, Remote lpd server, Network printer (socket)

SMB/Windows 95/98/NT <-- not sure what to configure

Some of the information that the control center asked when I am configuring the printer is:
server IP: 198.168.0.120
port: ?? <-- not sure what it is
printer hostname: ??


Any advise on how I can set the printer up? Or is there any alternative way to set up a printer?

[voidmain]

You would want to use "lpd" if your using standard TCP/IP printing in Windows. Basically that is LPD/LPR.

[heljy]

So if I choose remote lpd server, what do I enter for

1)Remote hostname
2)Remote queue

Those are the two fields that I have to enter.

Would hostname be the device name?

this is the server status that i got off the web configuration:

Hardware ID: 4900731C28
Firmware Version: 6023
Protocol ID: 007A
Default Name: PS397843
Server Name: PS397843
TCP/IP Info:
  IP Address: 192.168.0.120
  Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
  Gateway Address: 192.168.0.1
  Email Server IP Address: 0.0.0.0
  Printing Account Name:  N/A
  Redirect Account Name:  N/A
SMB Info:
  Domain Name: HOME

Thanks

[voidmain]

Use the IP address of the printer in the "hostname" field (192.168.0.120). Usually you can use anything in the queue name for printers that use LPD. Just put the printer name in there (PS397843) which should work but it shouldn't matter.

[ October 19, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[heljy]

Ok, I tried putting that down:

remote hostname: 192.168.0.120
remote queue: PS397843

and then it asked for type of printer that I have:

Nec, Superscript 870, GhostScript + lje2p (en)
Nec, Superscript 870, GhostScript + stp-4.1.5 (GIMP-Print) (en)

I tried both of them, and neither worked. Is there something else that I have got to do?


Test page(s) have been sent to the printer daemon.
This may take a little time before printer start.
Printing status:
lp is not ready


Does it work properly?

[voidmain]

Well, I wish I could help you but I don't have or know anyone who has that exact printer (or anything close to it). All I can say is I have found information by searching Google that people are using it. It is possible that they are using the parallel interface rather than using the 10/100 network interface but it should be standard LPR/LPD if you are using standard TCP/IP printing in Windows. I personally use JetDirect cards (HP's ethernet TCP/IP printing devices) without any trouble but there is a JetDirect printer protocol supported by Linux. You're printer would not use that, it should use LPR/LPD.

I have also found documentation stating that this printer is supported with CUPS. I am not sure how the CUPS support is in Mandrake 8.0 but CUPS is the way of the future for UNIX/Linux printing. You might try getting CUPS configured and installed or learning more about it from http://www.cups.org/

Wish I could help more.

[heljy]

YES!!! I got it to work (the test page at least)!!!

I used lpd and used the following:

hostname: 192.168.0.120
queue: P1 (supposely this is the "physical" port of the print server)

   I am thrilled!!

Thanks for the suggestions and the time  

Now off, to try printing web pages, etc.  

[voidmain]

Way to go! When I used to print to JetDirect printers using LPD I could put anything in the queue name prompt. Guess yours is special.