How do I go about using the DockStar as a print server? I don't really need to print from Debian, just to have the printer available for Win machines on the same network. The howto's I found from Google talk about adding printer driver for the printer to debian and create a share for the printer. I would think it should be easier than that if I don't need to print from Debian.

Just need to set CUPS up to be a print server by installing the cupsys package and configuring it.

Old info, but what needs to be done hasn't changed over the years:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=310450

rat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just need to set CUPS up to be a print server by
> installing the cupsys package and configuring it.
>
> Old info, but what needs to be done hasn't changed
> over the years:
>
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=310450


Thank you for the link and I took a quick look. I guess the part I don't understand is the need for printer configuration. I bought a $20 usb print server several years back. For these cheap print server, there is no need to configure except on the Windows machines. Is there a way to make the Dockstar sort of an Ethernet to USB converter and eliminate any need to configuration at the Dockstar side?

funtoy1001 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you for the link and I took a quick look. I
> guess the part I don't understand is the need for
> printer configuration. I bought a $20 usb print
> server several years back. For these cheap print
> server, there is no need to configure except on
> the Windows machines. Is there a way to make the
> Dockstar sort of an Ethernet to USB converter and
> eliminate any need to configuration at the
> Dockstar side?

Any system that is going to be accessing a shared printer is going to need to be configured to know which printer to look for and where. Same holds true for any system that is going to be hosting the shared printer. You would still have to install CUPS so that the OS knows how to talk to the printer you plug into the dockstar and something like CUPSYS to share it.

funtoy1001 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>...................................................................
>
> Thank you for the link and I took a quick look. I
> guess the part I don't understand is the need for
> printer configuration. I bought a $20 usb print
> server several years back. For these cheap print
> server, there is no need to configure except on
> the Windows machines. Is there a way to make the
> Dockstar sort of an Ethernet to USB converter and
> eliminate any need to configuration at the
> Dockstar side?

Well, this is not a commercial print server product so I guess you have to some work yourself. There's no free lunch (or free print server :-)).

My problem right now is that I would like to hook up a Canon MP600 to it. However, I the cups out of box does not support that. I am wondering if it is supported at all by cups or not. Anybody knows? Thanks.

Found out all I need is p910nd. Not as full featured as cups but there is no need for me to find Debian driver for my printer either.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2010 11:55PM by funtoy1001.

Ran into a problem. lsusb sees my printer but dmesg does not...