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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