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Installing TCP/IP shared printers
The simplest way to connect a printer is to use a standard parallel cable and connect the printer to the LPT1 port on a workstation. This printer can then be shared with Windows print sharing so that all RDP workstations can use the printer. This procedure is document in: Installing and troubleshooting printers. It is possible to connect some printers to the network hub using an Ethernet cable and then use TCP/IP to print directly to the printer. To use TCP/IP printing the following items are required:
The printer must be capable of TCP/IP printing.Not all printers can be connected directly to the network hub to use TCP/IP printing. RDP support has successfully tested two Hewlett Packard printers, the HP4M and HP4500N. Other HP printers using HP Jet Direct technology should also function using the procedures described in this document. Generally speaking, if your HP printer includes an Ethernet port, it is capable of TCP/IP printing. The printer must be installed and tested outside of the RDP systemThe printer must be installed and tested on the network before attempting to configure the printer in the RDP system. This can be a complicated procedure. The steps below provide an overview. If you encounter problems installing your printer, please call the printer manufacturer, not RDP.
Installing additional workstations to print directly to the TCP/IP printerAt this point the TCP/IP printer is installed on one workstation, for Windows based printing. For other workstations to print directly to the TCP/IP printer using Windows based programs, such as RDP Reporter (for Crystal Reports), or RDPWin (RDP's new Windows based software), or Microsoft Word, the printer driver must be installed on the workstation. The most efficient way to do this is to install the TCP/IP printer driver directly on any workstation that will use a Windows based program to print to this printer. Repeat the procedure above. Warning - Printer must be shared for RDPDOS printing: A TCP/IP printer cannot be used by RDPDOS programs without sharing the printer, as defined below. A given workstation using the RDPDOS property management system can print to any shared windows printer without installing the printer driver on the workstation. Create Windows Shared Printer on a workstation running Windows 2000 or XP ProfessionalFor RDPDOS programs to print to a TCP/IP printer, a shared print queue must be used. This queue must be established on a Windows 2000 or XP professional workstation with the steps defined in the section above. The printer must be shared. Printing from RDPDOS occurs as follows:
Managing an HP TCP/IP printer with Jet Administration SoftwareHewlett Packard provides excellent tools for managing an HP TCP/IP printer with a browser, using their Jet Administration software. While this software is not required for RDP to print to the HP TCP/IP printer, it can be useful for printer administration. The HP Jet Administration software is usually provided by HP on a CD with the printer. However, it can also be obtained from www.HP.com. The file name as of 12/21/2002 was HPWJNT.EN.EXE. Proper security established on all workstations printing to the QueueFor RDP printing to work correctly on a TCP/IP shared printer, or any other shared printer, proper security must be established. Additionally, changes to the registry on all Windows 2000 and/or XP workstations are required. Please see the troubleshooting notes below. Troubleshooting - Windows XP Slow PrintingWith Windows XP, Microsoft made a change that delays all DOS print jobs by 15 seconds. To accelerate printing, every computer using any version of Windows XP will need the changes described in the link below. This includes the Windows 2003 data server. If using Citrix or terminal services, the changes must also be implemented on the Windows 2003 server running Citrix/Terminal Services, as well as each workstation that uses the Windows XP operating system. Links to documents related to printing with RDP
Windows XP Users Must Be a Member of Local Administrator GroupMicrosoft added significant local security to
Windows XP. A user with minimal rights does not have access to
write files to the "C" drive or to re-direct printing to shared
network printers, both of which are required for RDP software to function
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