TABLE OF CONTENTS Understanding Windows Print Services
Understanding Linux Print Services
Sharing Samba Printers
Understanding Automatic Printer Driver Downloading
Migrating Windows Print Services to CUPS/Samba
Summary
Solutions Fast Track
Frequently Asked Questions
Printing is one area that causes a great deal of confusion among users. This is mainly because it involves setup issues on both the client and server machines. If either side is configured improperly, nothing you do with Samba (which only serves to connect the two halves) will be able to make printing work. With this in mind, this chapter will walk through the printer setup steps on both the server and client machines as well as the Samba-specific steps required to make the two sides communicate properly.
This chapter assumes that you understand basic administrative tasks on a Windows client such as bringing up the Add Printer Wizard or locating a printer in the Network Neighborhood. It is also assumed that you have already installed and configured CUPS on the Linux system. Only brief instructions will be given for these tasks.
An overview of the Windows and Linux printing services will be given. This will be followed by step-by-step instructions for configuring a printer for best use with Samba and Windows clients. Finally, the steps necessary to configure the printer on the Windows client to allow for point and print will be described as well as troubleshooting steps to try when things just don t seem to be working as you expected.
