Cannot print to Zebra remote printer

[Duffs]

Hi,

I have a Zebra QL series remote printer that I can print to from my pc with the help of some Zebra software. I need to be able to print in a similar fashion however from my HP-UX OS (using the lrp cmd I believe).

Surely someone has set this up before? I can't find any doc on this whatsoever, can someone please advise as how this is set up i.e. is additional patches/software required, which files need to be created/edited?

Thanks,
Dermot

[Gavin Clarke]

What we do is send ZPL files to the Windows print queue with samba (smbclient), we have Zebra Z4000's here. (See www.samba.org) or get the HP version called cifs.

Not perhaps the best answer, it works for us.

Oh and the command to send to a remote printer is rlp (see man rlp). I found that using that method didn't work.

[RAC_1]

As the Zebra printer is configured as remote printer, I can think of two options.

The printer is remote printer for hp-ux, so any options sent from lp command will not work.

1. On hp-ux, configure it as network/jetdirect printer. (to configure it as Jetdirect printer, you may need Jetdirect card, or printer should be supporting Jetdirect protocol)

2. Use of Samba - On samba, configure the printer. This options looks ok in your case, no additional $$ required.

Anil

[Duffs]

Thanks for the pointers!

I'll probably get the chance to set SAMBA up on this server tomorrow and take things from there.

Rgds,
Dermot

[Tim Sanko]

There is a not too cheap software package that we used here at work called UNIBAR BARCODE2000. It may fit your bill. It also works with Datamax printers.

[Steve Post]

On the back of the zebra printer is a converter that gives it an ip address right? If this is the case, it can be a remote printer. Let's say the ip address is 1.2.3.4, and we want it to be a printer called "myzebra".

Edit /etc/hosts and add this line.
1.2.3.4 myzebra


In sam, make a remote printer.
printername: z_ptr
remoteserver: myzebra
remoteprintname: z_ptr


steve

[Steve Post]

If the bugger has an ip address, you don't need linux, samba, or anything fancy. Just the ip address. I am GUESSING that is has an ip address, or else how would you print from windows? So I'm guessing you have the same hookups as my zebra printers. IF YOU DO, this will help:

The zebra printers I have here have a little box inbetween the aui connector and the rj45 connector that goes to the network. Unplug that little box. Press and hold the little button on the little box. While still holding the button, apply power back to the little box. After a short time (5 seconds?), release the button.

Then the configuration of that little box prints out on the zebra printer....including the ip address.

From internet explorer go to http://1.2.3.4/
It went to mine, and got a config screen called: ZBR2099854 - ZebraNet PrintServer
From there, you can see everything about the printer.

Now with info in hand, just set up a remote printer in sam.

[Duffs]

Steve,

Unfortunately there is no converter at the back of the printer. Its IP address is set through the LED at the front.

Neither has it got a rj45 or AUI connector. This is a QL420 Mobile (hip) printer, looks like you have got a different spec.

Rgds,
Dermot

[Steve Post]

Yeah I guess you're right. The remote printing is handled by this little box you don't have.
I'm surprised the printer does not use an rj45 or aui connection to the wall. If this box has an ip address, it must plug its network into a wall somehow.

[Gavin Clarke]

I've just been looking at the zebra site. These QL420 are little portable printers that receive CPCL files instead of ZPL II, I don't know if you just send CPCL files to the windows queue whether they'll work in the same way as ZPL II files (which is what Z4000's use).

If you have a CPCL file you can test this from a dos prompt by
net use LPT1 \\server\printer
print CPCLfile

At least I think that'll do it (it has been a while since I've done this.)