Printing across a VPN hybrid network

[bilyahn]

Interesting problem, client recently installed a linksys VPN router on there fiber optic network. Needless to say the MACs can print but the windows computers can not. MX4141N is the copier and it is set up to allow WSD and host name printing although I normally us the IP address. Copier is wired into their broadband network and everyone else is wireless over the VPN router. Attempted reinstall of driver but they will not see the copier no matter what type of installation I try, just doesn't see it. I can access the web interface and map a network drive to the copier. When I try to add a printer the WSD driver shows up but states that the driver is unavailable, I can get around this by inputting the IP address, the driver will say there is no such device on the network but I add a custom network device with RAW 9100 port and manually setup the attachments and it will print. On one of the computers the very next day it switched to the WSD port and would not print again so I had to do all of the above steps again. This is a small non-profit so they don't have IT support so need to come up with some action plan or resolution. Don't really understand why the MACs have no issues but the Windows machines do, normally it is the other way around!!

Thank you for your time and effort in this matter.

Bil

[CroceL]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

WSD and host name printing although I normally us the IP address

I can get around this by inputting the IP address

Why are you not installing it only with IP ?
I assume they don't have a DNS which is probably why Hostname and WSD doesnt work.

[spanky]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

If not needed for the Macs you need to turn off the WSD.

Even if you have installed a driver for the printer windows will still install a WSD driver.

You can turn off the WSD in the network settings under port settings.

[bsm2]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

How are Mac connected? Usually they use bonjoir Never USE a WSD Port

[bilyahn]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

Why are you not installing it only with IP ?
I assume they don't have a DNS which is probably why Hostname and WSD doesnt work.

Because it won't install. When I go to add TCP/IP port it won't go past the fact it can not find it on the network. Not sure what MACs use for their print driver but was always under the impression that it used the host name, so that is work. WSD is working but doesn't show the driver being available.

Thank you.

Bil

[bilyahn]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

If not needed for the Macs you need to turn off the WSD.

Even if you have installed a driver for the printer windows will still install a WSD driver.

You can turn off the WSD in the network settings under port settings.

I tried this also. Normally I have it defaulted off so that it won't be an issue but figured what the heck, nothing else is working. FYI everything was working perfectly before they switched up their networks. This copier has been on site and setup for years and fully functional until last week LOL

Thank you

Bil

[bilyahn]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

How are Mac connected? Usually they use bonjoir Never USE a WSD Port

Correct they use bonjour which I always thought used the host name of the machine. I just mentioned the MACs since if they can print normally there will be no issues with setting up a windows driver.

Thank you.

Bil

[spanky]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

If you choose the custom install of the print driver and install it by IP address will that work?

The print driver does not have to find the copier on the network during setup.

[Phil B.]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

Because it won't install. When I go to add TCP/IP port it won't go past the fact it can not find it on the network. Not sure what MACs use for their print driver but was always under the impression that it used the host name, so that is work. WSD is working but doesn't show the driver being available.

Thank you.

Bil

maybe use MAC address instead of tcp/ip?

[KenB]

[bilyahn]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

If you choose the custom install of the print driver and install it by IP address will that work?

The print driver does not have to find the copier on the network during setup.

No, when I add the IP address it states that no such device exists or something similar and won't go past that point.

Bil

Actually I will have to go back and check something, but I'm pretty sure I did this as it is one of my go to alternatives

[bilyahn]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

I agree but I was desperate to get something to work LOL

Bil

[spanky]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

No, when I add the IP address it states that no such device exists or something similar and won't go past that point.

Bil

Actually I will have to go back and check something, but I'm pretty sure I did this as it is one of my go to alternatives

If you choose custom install the print driver does not search for the machine on the network.

You are forcing the computer to print to the IP address you install in the driver.

[chubblies]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

Might be worth trying to capture the print port and see what happens. Don't use WSD though, it is dog shit technology, typical MS!
Capturing basically maps a hidden TCP/IP port to a published local port.

The capturing should be something like:-

NET USE LPT4 \\<servername>\<printersharename> /persistent:yes

e.g. If you wanted to print from Sage DOS to your HP Laserjet 4250 printer you would setup this command on each machine

NET USE LPT4 \\fs2-w2k3\HPLJ4250 /persistent:yes

This would assume within the printer settings options your printer is set to print to LPT4.

The program should then print to any network or local based printer as long as the capturing (port mapping or whatever reference you would like to use for this) is setup correctly.

[doyvid]

Re: Printing across a VPN hybrid network

No, when I add the IP address it states that no such device exists or something similar and won't go past that point.

Bil

Actually I will have to go back and check something, but I'm pretty sure I did this as it is one of my go to alternatives

The MX4141N driver won't let you continue if it can't find the machine, but Sharp's Universal driver will let you continue. It still might not work, but you'll be one step closer.