Adding a non hp printers to hpux as a network prnter.

[Mohamed Tarique]

Hi all,

In our network, we have HP-UX11i-v2 servers with following type of printers.
1. HP-Laserjet4350n
2. CannonIR1
3. Xerox Phaser7750.

All the above printers are connected to the network & configured with static IP addresses. I have the requirement to add all the above as network printers to HP-UX server.(Which are all resides on same network - 10.10.9.0/24).
Also all three printers are listening on port 9100.
I have managed to add Laserjet4350n by using hppi(JetDirect Print Installer for Unix-version E.10.34) via sam. Unfortunately I could not do the same for Canon & Xerox, because I am getting the following error saying,
" !! 10.10.9.42 is NOT an acceptable name!!
Either it is not a network printer or this host is denied access to it!! "

I would be thankful if some one shed light on this matter & advice how to add these two remaining as network printer.

* Pls Note that I am not asking about configuring REMOTE PRINTER.

Thanks & Regards,
M.Tarique

[Ken Grabowski]

Your 10.10.9.42 address refers to what device? Is that your HP-UX host or one of the printers? Are these printers jetdirect compliant? Can you telnet to their jetdirect interface from the HP-UX system? Finally, when logged into the printers jetdirect interface, can you ping the HP-UX system.

[A. Clay Stephenson]

You cannot connect these printers as Network printers unless the HP JetDirect protocol is supported. Even then, you will have to choose a compatible model script based upon what HP printer these printers emulate. I never connect printers using IP address but instead give them a hostname. It is much each to change a DNS or hosts entry than changing many interface files.

One somewhat more straightforward method to see non-HP printers up as Network printers is via an external JetDirect. The external JetDirect then communicates with the printer via a parallel, serial, or USB connection but hppi recognizes the responses from these devices and adds them normally. You still have to select a compatible model script or write your own if one does not exist.

[A. Clay Stephenson]

You cannot connect these printers as Network printers unless the HP JetDirect protocol is supported. Even then, you will have to choose a compatible model script based upon what HP printer these printers emulate. I never connect printers using IP address but instead give them a hostname. It is much easier each to change a DNS or hosts entry than changing many interface files.

One somewhat more straightforward method to see non-HP printers up as Network printers is via an external JetDirect. The external JetDirect then communicates with the printer via a parallel, serial, or USB connection but hppi recognizes the responses from these devices and adds them normally. You still have to select a compatible model script or write your own if one does not exist.

[Bill Hassell]

In HP-UX, a "network printer" refers only to HP's proprietary JetDirect network cards and adapter boxes. Until very recently, no other manufacturer would provide a compatible LAN card, so the majority of non-HP printers with non-HP LAN cards have nothing in the card except RFC 1178, also known as the "remote printer" protocol. The only way to use hppi to add the non-HP printers is to replace the printer's network card with an HP JetDirect External Print Server.

Even then, HP supplies no printer scripts for non-HP printers so you would have to choose a generic or dumb script. Some non-HP printers emulate HP's PCL and PJL languages so you can borrow a script that might work for most options.

[Mohamed Tarique]

Hello friends,
Thanks for your initial reply.

Ken, following is our setup. HP Server can ping each printers.

1. HP-Laserjet4350n -10.10.9.40
2. CannonIR1 -10.10.9.34
3. Xerox Phaser7750 -10.10.9.42
4. HP-UX server -10.10.5.9

I didn't check whether the Canon & Xerox are jet direct complaint. Also I couldn't able to telnet to Canon & Xerox except HP-LJ4350n.

Hi Stephenson/Hassel,
Since I can telnet to tcp port 9100(Hp jet direct protocol)on Canon & Xerox from the server, I was under the impression those two printers have Jetdirect network cards. (Please correct me if I am wrong).
After refering the solution given to Edward Carey, ( http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1016866 )
I thought hppi can be used with generic model script to do the needful. I am getting following error message after putting the entry(10.10.9.42 Xerox)to the hostfile.
"!! No response from Xerox !!
...(trying to ping Xerox)
The HP JetDirect Printer Installer for Unix can ping the device.
The problem may be:
* incorrect GET community name!
* it is not a network printer!
* other.

Regards,
M.Tarique

[A. Clay Stephenson]

Just because you can telnet to port 9100 does not mean that the network card is JetDirect compatible; at most you can say that there is a telnet listener configured for port 9100 on that printer. Non-HP vendors have emulated the HP protocol with varying degrees of success but HP does not supply any model scripts for non-HP printers. It would be state-of-the-art stupid for them to aid a competitor. For example, you should have looked at the Xerox site for UNIX software for the printer:
http://www.support.xerox.com/go/results.asp?Xlang=en_US&XCntry=USA&prodID=7750&ripId=&Xtype=download

I have no idea if the Canon printers supports the JetDirect protocol but I assume that you can use a Web Browser as well as I can.

You can ignore those errors you received when using hppi and continue or you can simply use the addqueue command. Man addqueue for details.

[Geoff Wild]

As Clay says, for the Xerox ones, you need to use their software:

XEROX Printers require the installation of Xerox print drivers:

cd /usr/local/src/xerox
tar xvf HPUXXPXX_3.01.48.tar
cd HPUXXpxxInstall
./setup

File downloaded from:
http://www.support.xerox.com/go/results.asp?Xlang=en_US&XCntry=USA&prodID=DC440&ripId=



- Add a Xerox print queue:

To add a printer you must use the Xerox printer installer: xpadmin

Rgds...Geoff

[Ken Grabowski]

Hi Mohamed,

Looks like Geoff has the Xerox details. I would check the Cannon support
pages on their web site to see if they have similar tools. I would also
look at the printer manual and see if it has any compatibility settings.
Many printers these days will emulate the more popular HP protocols (PCL).

Without Jetdirect support or HP-UX specific divers you will probably
have to use LPR/LPD protocols. In the printer setup that is a remote
printer definition. I have never had any problem using these protocols
to do network printing to non-HP printers. However if you are doing forms
specific printing you may have to create a custom printer definition.

Good luck.

[Mohamed Tarique]

Hi Friends,

I have managed to configure my Xerox phasor 7750GX by using the software(HPUXXPXX_4.00.60.tar)from the link provided. This is GUI tool and easy to use.

Also I have installed the software necessary for Canon iR 105 from the site,
http://software.canon-europe.com/software/sque_v921_unix_hpux_driver_for_canons23954.asp?model=
This is a demo version & it needs license key for registration. The utility can be launched from the command /usr/local/sic/SQue.sh.

Thank you very much for the information shared by Clay,Geoff & ken and wish you all have a wonderful week end.

[Mohamed Tarique]

Thnks.