4.1 Installing the iPrint Client

In order for iPrint to work properly, a workstation must have the iPrint Client installed. You can distribute the client to your workstations in a variety of ways, including the iPrint Printer List Web page, distribution software like ZENworks, login scripts, etc. Three clients are available.

The client is located in the following directory:

OES Linux

/var/opt/novell/iprint/htdocs/clients/platform

4.1.1 Linux: iPrint Client

Linux: iPrint Client Requirements

In order for iPrint to work properly, workstations should have the following:

  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 10 SP2 (both 32 and 64-bit) and SLED 11 (both 32 and 64-bit).

    IMPORTANT:To install the client, you must have the root password or rights as root.

  • A Mozilla-based browser, Firefox 2.x.x, 3.0.

NOTE:If the iPrint server is busy when your installed printer attempts to communicate, CUPS moves the printer into an error state and holds all print jobs. To release print jobs, use the printer management utility to restart the printer.

Linux: Controlling Access to the Workstation Print System

The Linux iPrint Client is packaged in two different, specialized installations that control access to the workstation’s print system. The following table explains the differences between the two clients.

Table 4-1 iPrint Client for Linux RPM list

Client File Name

Workstation Access

Description

novell-iprint-xclient-sh-version.i586.rpm

Security high. Limited access to the print system.

This client requires workstation users to be defined with lppasswd to install, delete, or administer printers on the workstation. When performing one of these print operations, the user is challenged for a password.

novell-iprint-xclient-sl-version.i586.rpm

Security low. Unlimited access to the print system.

This client allows all users of the workstation to install, delete, or administer printers and print jobs on the workstation, including printers and print jobs of other users. By default, the iPrint Printer List Web page installs this RPM.

The above clients do not affect installation of the iPrint Client, just access to the workstation print system. To install the iPrint Client you still need root permissions. Also, these clients do not limit printing capabilities.

IMPORTANT:To install the iPrint Client you need root permissions. To upload drivers from the system, you need to be defined with lppasswd or know the root password; otherwise, when you attempt to add drivers from the system, the driver list is blank. To define a user to be part of lppasswd, you can use the following command:

lppasswd -a linux_user_account -g sys

Printing to Secure Printers

When installing a secure iPrint printer, you might be prompted twice for your username and password. First, you are prompted to provide your network credentials to verify that you have access to the printer (it would be no use installing a printer that would not allow you to print). The second prompt is for CUPS, to ensure you have rights to install printers on the client machine. You need to provide the root password or be defined in the CUPS lppasswd.

Printing to secure printers is supported only when you are logged in to the desktop. If for any reason the CUPS iPrint back end cannot deliver the job to a secure printer, the job is requeued on the client with a hold. You can then see the held job and release it after you log in to the desktop.

NOTE:This client does not support printing from text logins such as SSH, unless the GUI is running on the host workstation.

Linux: Distributing the iPrint Client

Use one of the following methods to install the iPrint Client on users’ workstations:

Linux: Install the Client from iPrint Printer List Web Page

You can download and install the iPrint Client from the iPrint Printer List Web page that resides on the server where the Print Manager is loaded. By default, the link is set to install the novell-iprint-xclient-sl-version.i586.rpm high security client. You can change this by creating a symbolic link in /var/opt/novell/iprint/htdocs using the following command:ln -sf client novell-iprint-xclient.i586.rpm where client is the client filename noted above.

To reach the Web page:

  1. Specify the iPrint server URL in your Web browser Address field:

    http://server_IP_ address_or_dns_name/ipp.

    For example, if the DNS name for printing is printing.my_company.com, you would access iPrint from the following URL:

    http://printing.my_company.com/ipp

    iPrint Printer list Web page

  2. Click the printer you want to install.

    If the iPrint Client is not yet installed on your workstation, you are prompted to install it.

  3. When prompted, save the iPrint Client RPM to your desktop or home directory.

  4. Install the iPrint Client RPM by double-clicking the RPM. If a file association for the RPM does not exist, use an RPM installer program.

  5. Exit and restart your Web browser before installing printers.

  6. (Conditional) If you are using the KDE desktop and printing to secure printers, re-login as a user (not root) to start the iPrint listener or run the following command to manually load the listener:/opt/novell/iprint/bin/iprint-listener

    For GNOME users, you must load the iPrint listener manually or configure GNOME to load it. See Additional Configuration for Secure Printers with GNOME.

    NOTE:Run the iPrint Launcher from the applications menu, if you want to install a secure printer without re-login or rebooting your system.

If you are using a non-standard installation of a browser, and the plug-in does not appear, create a symbolic link in the browser’s plug-in directory using the following command: ln -s opt/novell/iprint/plugin/npnipp.so

Deliver the Client Using Distribution Software

Using client distribution software (such as ZENworks), you can also deliver the iPrint Client and possibly printers to your client workstations. For more information, see the documentation for your distribution software.

Additional Configuration for Secure Printers with GNOME

Users of the GNOME desktop that are printing to secure printers (printers that require you to authenticate) must add iprint-listener to the list of applications launched at login; otherwise, print jobs are not submitted to the secure printer.

NOTE:This does not apply to the KDE Desktop or GNOME running on the Novell Linux Desktop. This also does not apply when printing to non-secure printers.

  1. On the GNOME desktop, click System > Personal Settings.

  2. Under the System section, click Sessions.

  3. Click Startup Programs > Add.

  4. For the Startup Command, enter /opt/novell/iprint/bin/iprint-listener.

  5. Click OK > Close.

  6. Load iprint-listener by either running the command in Step 4 or by logging out and logging in again.

The next time you log in, iprint-listener is automatically loaded.

If iprint-listener is not running, jobs submitted to secure iPrint printers are held in the local client queue. To release the jobs, start iprint-listener and then resume the job on the printer.

4.1.2 Macintosh: iPrint Client

Macintosh: iPrint Client Requirements

NOTE:If the iPrint server is busy when your installed printer attempts to communicate, CUPS moves the printer into an error state and holds all print jobs. To release print jobs, use the printer management utility to restart the printer.

Macintosh: Distributing the iPrint Client

Use one of the following methods to install the iPrint Client on users’ workstations:

Macintosh: Install the Client from iPrint Printer List Web Page

You can download and install the iPrint Client from the iPrint Printer List Web page that resides on the server where the Print Manager is loaded. To reach the page

  1. Specify the iPrint server URL in your Web browser Address field:

    http://server_IP_ address_or_dns_name/ipp.

    For example, if the DNS name for printing is printing.my_company.com, you would access iPrint from the following URL:

    http://printing.my_company.com/ipp

    iPrint Printer list Web page

    The disk image file is downloaded, the install package extracted, and the disk image file is move to the trash. Then the iPrint Client install is launched.

  2. Click the printer you want to install.

    1. If the iPrint Client is not yet installed on your workstation, follow the prompts to install the client.

      The disk image file is downloaded, the install package extracted, and the disk image file is moved to the trash. Then the iPrint Client install is launched.

    2. After installing the client, restart your Web browser in order for the browser to recognize the iPrint Client plug-in.

  3. After installing the client, restart your Web browser in order for browser to recognize the iPrint Client plug-in.

(Optional) PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files that use Foomatic filters should be running the latest Foomatic filter script and ESP Ghostscript, which are available from Linux Printing.org.

Deliver the Client Using Distribution Software

Using client distribution software (such as ZENworks), you can also deliver the iPrint Client and possibly printers to your client workstations. For more information, see the documentation for your distribution software.

4.1.3 Windows: iPrint Client

Windows: iPrint Client 5.x Requirements

  • Windows 2003 (32-bit), XP (32-bit)

  • Windows Vista, Windows 2008 (32/64-bit), Windows 7 (32/64-bit)

    While any user can install the iPrint Client on a Vista Machine, to install printers, and upload drivers, your Web browser must be running as Administrator on Vista, unless the iPrint URL is part of the Trusted sitelist. Refer to the -w or --trustedwebsiteforInternetExplorer option in Table 4-6 for details.

    IMPORTANT:You must upgrade your iPrint client to 5.20 or above, if you are upgrading your Windows client to Windows 7.

  • Web browser with JavaScript enabled

    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or later

  • Ensure to apply these hotfixes from Microsoft, if your Vista is not upgraded to SP1 or later:

    Contact Microsoft Customer Support Services for more information.

Platforms Supported for Printer Driver Profile

Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista (32/64-bit), Windows 2008 (32/64-bit) and Windows 7 (32/64-bit).

Limitations of the iPrint Client 5.x

The iPrint Client v5.x for Windows Vista does not support the following:

  • iCapture is supported only for 32-bit Windows platforms

Windows: iPrint Client 4.x Requirements

  • Windows 2000

    To install the client on Windows 2000, you must have Administrator rights or be a Power User on Windows 2000.

    NOTE:Windows 95/98 are not tested platforms for latest 4.x clients, but it is known to work on these platforms.

  • Web browser with JavaScript enabled and

    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later

    • Mozilla Firefox browser

NOTE:The iPrint Client for Windows uses ActiveX controls when using Internet Explorer. By default, Internet Explorer’s Run ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins are enabled. However, if this has been changed, you need to re-enable it for iPrint to work correctly. This setting is found in Tools > Internet Options > Intranet > Custom Level. You need to enable the setting on the Internet page, if you are running across the Internet.

Windows: iPrint Client Support Matrix

Table 4-2 Windows iPrint Client Support Matrix

Client Version

Windows 2000

Windows XP (32-bit)/2003

Windows Vista/2008

Windows 7

4.38 or later

Yes

Yes

No

No

5.04

No

No

Yes

No

5.12

No

Yes

Yes

No

5.20

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

5.30

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

5.40

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

5.52

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

NOTE:We recommend you to use 5.x clients on the above mentioned platforms.

Windows: iPrint Client Installation and Uninstallation Files

The Windows iPrint Client is packaged in several different, specialized installations. Depending on your distribution method or need, select the file you want. The following table compares the different types of installations.

Table 4-3 iPrint Clients for Windows

iPrint Client Filename

Description

nipp.exe

Installs the iPrint Client and displays dialog boxes and progress windows that require user intervention.

This is the default installation program.

nipp.zip

A WinZip version of the client that can be used with distribution software programs. After the file is unzipped, run setupipp.exe. For a list of the command line parameters that you can use with setupipp.exe, enter setupipp.exe /h at a command prompt. For more information on setupipp options refer to the Table 4-4.

nipp-s.exe

Installs the iPrint Client. A screen displays the progress of the installation, but requires no user intervention.

NOTE:Because Windows 9x users must reboot their workstations after the client is installed, you should use nipp-sr.exe unless you are using a software distribution package that reboots the workstation.

nipp-sr.exe

Installs the iPrint Client and reboots the workstation. A screen displays the progress of the installation, but no user intervention required.

nipp-su.exe

Uninstalls the iPrint Client. A screen displays the progress of the uninstall, but requires no user intervention.

nipp-u.exe

Uninstalls the iPrint Client. The user confirms to uninstall the client, then a screen displays the progress of the uninstall.

Table 4-4 setupipp Options

Options

Description

/S

Install/unistall the client silently.

/R

Restart the workstation when the install/uninstall is completed.

/U

Uninstall the client from your workstation.

/?

Display the help.

/L

Install for an LDAP compliant environment (only unique usernames).

NOTE:Windows 9x users must restart their workstations. After the iPrint Client is installed, Windows NT/2000/XP users need not restart, unless they are using iPrint utilities to capture LPT ports.

4.1.4 Windows: Distributing the iPrint Client

Use one of the following methods to install the iPrint Client on users’ workstations:

NOTE:Windows 9x users must restart their workstations. After the iPrint Client is installed, Windows NT/2000/XP users need not to restart, unless they are using iPrint utilities to capture LPT ports.

Windows: Install the Client from iPrint Printer List Web Page

You can download and install the iPrint Client from the iPrint Printer List Web page that resides on the server where the Print Manager is loaded.

  1. To reach the page, enter the following URL in your Web browser address field: http://server_IP_ address_or_dns_name/ipp.

    Figure 4-1 iPrint Printer List Web Page

    For example, if the DNS name for printing is printing.my_company.com, you would access iPrint from the following URL:

    http://printing.my_company.com/ipp

  2. Click the printer you want to install.

    If the iPrint Client is not yet installed on your workstation, you are prompted to install it.

  3. When prompted, save the iPrint Client RPM to your desktop or home directory.

  4. Install the iPrint Client RPM by double-clicking the RPM.

Deliver the Client Using Distribution Software

Using client distribution software (such as ZENworks), you can also deliver the iPrint Client and possibly printers to your client workstations. For more information, see the documentation for your distribution software.

For example, when using Novell ZENworks, you can use any of the iPrint Clients described in Windows: iPrint Client Installation and Uninstallation Files to deliver the Windows iPrint Client. Most likely you need to use the nipp.zip file to deliver the client to the desktop and execute setupipp.exe with one of the command line parameters.