Automatic driver downloads (was: [Samba] [semi-ot] Printing w/ NT, automated driver download and modifying printer settings)

Jesse Becker jbecker at fryed.net
Tue Jul 9 16:53:02 GMT 2002


Elsewhere on the list, Andreas K. Huettel wrote:
> I've configured Samba for automated printer driver download by all Windows
> clients. However, I run into the following problem with NT4/2000/XP
> computers:
> 
> Every user can connect to any printer and install the driver. (OK.)

Ah...if only I could get that far along, I'd be a happy man.  Could you 
perhaps shed some light on how you got things to work?

I have a Samba server (2.2.5) that also runs CUPS.  The printer is an HP 
4550N printer connected via TCP (the printer has a JetDirect card 
attached).  I can print directly from the server ('lp file.ps' for 
example).  I can also print from remote clients--if I manually install 
drivers for the printer first.  Finally, I am able to 'upload' drivers to 
the samba server.

The remote clients are currently just Windows 2000 boxes, and there will
be NT4.0 boxes later on

What I cannot do is twofold:

1)  Automatically download drivers to clients.  When I try to add the
printer, I get a pop-up box reading: 

	"The server on which the printer resides does not have the correct
	printer driver installed.  If you want to install the driver on
	your local computer, click OK."

On clicking OK, you get the usual 'add printer wizard' dialogue box, and 
if I choose, I can add the correct drivers.


2)   There appear to be permission problems somewhere as well.  After 
uploading the drivers, I am unable choose one for the printer to actually 
use.  The drivers loaded on the server correctly appear in the 'Advanced' 
tab of the printer properties window, but when I click 'OK' or 'Apply', a 
dialogue box appears reading:
	 "Printer settings could not be saved.  Access is denied."

I find this curious for a few reasons:  I am logged in a Administrator on 
the W2K box,  The Admin. user is mapped to root on the Samba server, the 
permissions are such that anyone can read the driver files on the Samba 
server, and anyone can read the /var/cache/samba files as needed.   Lastly 
(and strangest), I *can* modify the options in the Security tab, and have 
set full access to "Everyone" (print, manage jobs, and manage printers).

Snippits from smb.conf:
[global]
        load printers = yes
        printcap name = lpstat
        printing = cups
        printer admin = @wheel, @printers
        addprinter command = cupsaddsmb

[printers]
        comment = All Printers
        path = /var/spool/samba
        browseable = no
        guest ok = no
        writable = no
        printable = yes
        create mode = 740
        printing = cups

[print$]
        comment = printer drivers
        path = /etc/samba/drivers
        browsable = yes
        guest ok = no
        read only = yes
        write list = root, @wheel, @printers


Any suggestions or ideas that people may have would be more than welcome.  
I've checked the mailing list for things along these lines, but none of 
them seem to quite apply. :-/

Thanks,

--Jesse






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