Printing Via Visionfs to XP pro 1

[Zathros]

I'm adding some more printers to my network that have to be connect to win xp machines. I have one set upo and working at the moment, but I can't remember what I did diferently.

I use the --install <unix_printer> <server> <share> [<winuser> <winpasswd>] command, but their is no vfsprint user (i set up limited users on the win2k boxes - thought I did that on thexp) on the current working xp and the xp box i'm trying to add that too, won't accept it. (I go throught the set up motions and then it says the user doesn't exist)

No, my unix box is living on a network that has a win3k server on it also. if this has any mearing.

Also I read in another thread about something similar that someone said they thought MS had done something that made this not work ony more eith XP. Is that true? If so its it so for all samba versions? (I also have a linux box I can activate samba on.)

 

[motoslide]

You might be able to get some helpful error information if you run the VisionFS print command directly from your shell:

# /usr/vision/bin/visionfs print //pcname/sharename --user USERNAME --password PASSWORD

I haven't had any problems using shared printers on XP workstations, as long as I had a valid Username/Password pair. These can be "Local Users" on the XP, or Domain Users if the XP box is a member of a Windows Domain.

Are we talking about XPprofessional or XPhome?

 

[Zathros]

We are dealing with XP pro.

One of the problems I was having was I can't seem to add a local user to the XP machines that are connected to a win2k server. I've not dealt with win2k much so I'm at a loss.

The one XP box that is working is not on the win2k domain, but also doesn't have a vfsprint user although that is listed as how it's connecting if I do a visionfs print --list on the sco box.

 

[motoslide]

If the XP box isn't a member of a domain, I believe the sharing can be set "wide open", and no USERNAME/PASSWORD are actually required.

To enable a local user on XP, log in as an Administrator then right-click on "My Computer" then select "Manage". You should see an entry for "Local Users and Groups". If not, then it's probably a function of belonging to Active Directory. You should be able to pass any valid Domain USERNAME/PASSWORD pair with your VisionFS print command. The big drawback is that the passwords may change in the future and you'd have to tweak /usr/vision/etc/vfsprinters to match.

 

[Zathros]

So let me see if I understand something. If I have a user vfsprint on the win2k server, with a password of vfsprint, it would be a valid user on any of the boxes on that domain?

I do have one on that machine to access the printers attached directly to the servers.

 

[motoslide]

Yes, if vfsprint is a Domain User account and the other PC's are members of that Domain.

I've helped a couple of sites where their Domain Controller was a bit unpredictable due to improper management. On those sites I've had to create Local User accounts on each PC which had a shared printer. And, that Local User had to be something unique (like vfsprint1 or bbxuser or whatever).

All of this assumes you have a printer which is "share-able". Some are not. Make sure you can use that printer from another PC before spending too much time working on the VisionFS side.

 

[lorel]

We have found that when the Win XP has pack 2 and the firewall is on, you will not be able to print fron Unix using Vision Services to the printer attached to the WinXP machine.
The PC with the printer can not have any Firewalls, such as Mcaffy, Norton or Windows.
At times the printer will work if in the firewall configuration you unblock Vision Services.
We have done extensive research attempting to resolve this problem, Microsoft is no help (suprise!) and neither is Tarantela.

Joe

 

[Zathros]

Thanks, We just got another machine yesterday that has mcafee firewall on it. (I keep telling them to line out thses programs when they order but they won't listen.)

I'll disable it!