Comments on: D-Link DNS-323 as print and scan server (part 1)

By: Karl H. Beckers

Karl H. Beckers — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:36:52 +0000

Noel,
that depends a lot on your client (Windows, Linux (which distro), Mac). The client OSes typically have something like “printer settings” where you can “add a printer”. Then you tell the configuration that it is a network printer you want to add, and then there is typically some sort of tool to let you browse the network, or you might be able to specify the printer queue directly. On Windows that might look like \\192.168.1.2\lp (where 192.168.1.2 is just an example for the IP address of your DNS 323).
Scanning won’t work OOTB, I’m afraid, though.

Karl.

By: Noel

Noel — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:39:55 +0000

Hi Karl. I tried connecting my Lexmark 8300 printer to the USB port of the DNS-323 but I couldn’t figure out how to print or scan through my PC (connected to a router & the DNS-323). There seems to be no communication between my PC and the 8300 printer.

(I have another laser printer attached to the router as my default network printer. Does this matter? )

Where and how do I “change my printer definition on my client to the samba queue “lp” on the IP address of the DNS-323″ ? That’s where I got lost. Pls help. Thanks.

By: Karl H. Beckers

Karl H. Beckers — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:22:30 +0000

Well, it is certainly possible. I suppose it will require some tinkering, though, which will be a bit tough, if you don’t know Linux to some depth.
The key is this file: /usr/local/LPRng/etc/printcap
It contains the printer definition for the default printer.
lp|USB Printer:\
:sh:\
:ml=0:\
:mx=0:\
:sd=/mnt/HD_a4/.lpd:\
:lp=/dev/usblp0:\

You would have to plug in your second printer and see what device is generated (with dmesg). It’s prolly going to be usblp1. Then you would need to add a second section to printcap with the first lp changed to lp1, the sd pointing to a different directory (you need to create first), and the second lp pointing to the right device. Watch that you leave an empty line between the printer definitions. Then you need to kill lpd and restart it. I don’t know what it is in the DNS that makes it read the printcap from that strange directory (rather than /etc/printcap) … so maybe that needs some tweaking, too.
And finally if everything works (check with lpq -a on the DNS), you need to add all those steps to a script that is automatically executed on each restart (fun_plug).

Bit tough, perhaps, but should be doable.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:48:39 +0000

Interesting post and I read part 2 and 3. I have a question regarding using the DNS-323 with two printers. I am sucessfully using it with one connected to three XP PCs. I would like to attach two printers using an USB hub. Can the DNS be set up to do this. I am not too familiar with Linux and would thus really appreciate your help.
Thanks

By: Karl H. Beckers

Karl H. Beckers — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:30:05 +0000

Not quite sure what you mean here, Thunder.
You want to hit print on your PC to send it to the DNS323, then have the DNS323 wait for your confirmation before it actually sends the document to the printer?
Well, haven’t tried it, but I suppose it should be possible to pause the printer queue thoudh the samba config somehow. But whether you could actually get the spool file created from the DNS323 and actually view it, will depend a lot on your printer. It might actually be feasible, if you have a post script printer. All definitely very hackish.

By: Thunder

Thunder — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:08:23 +0000

Hello there,

Is there any way I can stop/review any print before it goes to my printer?

I mean using this dns323?

Thanks

By: hal

hal — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:51:43 +0000

Nice tutorial, you should add this to the DNS-323 wiki for others to enjoy.

By: bonky

bonky — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:09:37 +0000

This blog is pretty interesting, will add a bookmark, thanks.