Sharing Printers between AIX and Windows

faq52-3563
Posted: 9 May 03 (Edited 26 May 03)

AIX ( or Unix ) and Windows, use the same (almost) Transport Protocol (TCP),
but to share files and printers use different protocols ( NFS,LPD - Lan Manager ),

FILES PRINTERS
+----------+---------------------+
| AIX nfs lpd
+----------+---------------------+
| WIN lan-manager
+----------+---------------------+

To make possible they "speak", one of them must activate

the protocol of the other; furthermore, we have to understand who is the client and which
is the server.

Printers
--------

In this case, we choose that Windows emulates Unix:

lpd protocol is installable on Windows as client or server
In Windows 2000 or NT4 it can be found on Windows CD ;

For Windows 9x it is not so easy:

If W9X is client, we can download 3rd part software : eg

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psd1P4000166
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/printers/products/netprt/lpr/instlpr.exe

If W9X is server,

http://ftp.unicamp.br/simtel.net/win95/network.html
lpd101.zip

or change strategy, and do AIX emulate Windows, using Samba, but is a bit more
complicated.

Suppose Windows NTx

NT5 (2000) :
 Start | Setting | Contro Panel | Add/Remove Programs |
Add/Remove Wind... | Other Network File and Printer..|
Print Service for Unix .
Insert Windows2000 CD, and SPx if required

NT4: In Control Panel, Network, TCPIP,

add protocol "Microsoft TCPIP Printng"
(sorry for imprecisions, but I have not here now a NT4 box )

=====================
Windows is Server
=====================

Win-side

- Computer Management | Service and Applications|

Services
- look for

TCP/IP Print Server

- Start it and set its Startup-type as Automatic.

- Add Printer ( Local Printer ) and use a existent port

for parallel,serial port or a new port if there is
a printer server or the p. has a nic: follow
instructions and install the printer driver.

- Then share it: use a short name (eg max 8 char)

without blanks or strange chars, and Uppercase.
Perform a test print.

AIX-side

- Ensure that aix has a name-resolution for Windows

machine (/etc/hosts, nis, DNS )

- smitty mkpq
remote
standard Processing
 Name of QUEUE to add : any ( I suggest the NT name )
HOSTNAME of remote server : windows-machine-name
Name of QUEUE on renote server : MUST BE THE ONE YOU
HAVE SHARED

=====================
AIX is Server
=====================

AIX-side

- smitty spooler
Manage Print Server
Start the Printer Server .... both

Add print Access for a Remote Client

put a '+' (plus sign) for any clients

- however, the AIX has to resolve

Windows-machine-name <-> IP address

- Install the printer : local, or jetdirect or other

and choose a simple name for the queue : test it .

- ensure lpd is running : lssrc -g spooler

Win-side

- Add Printer , Local Printer (strange but Local),

Create a new port: drop-down LPR port :

fill in AIX name or address and AIX queue name

- Choose printer type and install driver