From Userful Support

DiscoverStation Printer Guide

Copyright © 2006-2008, Userful Corporation. All rights reserved.
(Updated 2008.06.13)

Setting Up a Printer in DiscoverStation 4

DiscoverStation is built upon the Linux operating system. If your printer is supported under Linux, then chances are that it will work with DiscoverStation. To see if your printer is compatible with Linux, refer to LinuxPrinting.org.

Printers can be set up using the Configure Printing utility on the Admin Mode desktop. To enter Admin Mode, press Ctrl+Alt+A and enter the Administrator password (the default password can be found in the DiscoverStation Admin Manual; if the password has since been changed, it may be found under the "Manage System Passwords" section in your Userful Manager account).

To set up a printer using the Configure Printing utility:

1. Set up your printer and cables according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Make sure the printer is turned on, has paper, and is not giving any error messages.
3. 

   

   Double-click on the Configure Printing icon
   Go to a station on the computer that needs configuring and start a session.
4. Go into Administrator Mode.
5. Double-click on the Configure Printing icon on the Admin Mode desktop to bring up the Printer Configuration application.
   
6. 

   

   Create a new Print Queue
   Click on the New button.
   
7. 

   

   Begin the Wizard
   The Add a new print queue wizard will walk you through setting up your printer. Click on Forward to begin.
   
8. 

   

   Set the name and description for the Print Queue
   You will be asked to define what is known as a "Print Queue". This queue is what users will print to. Enter a unique name for this print queue and an adequate description.
   • If you are using the per-station printing feature (availability is dependent on the type of printing system that you employ at your location), you will need to ensure that the Name of the queue matches the format that you have specified in Userful Manager.
     
9. Next, you will be asked to define the Queue Type. The Queue Type basically defines the type of printer you will be using and how it is connected to the DiscoverStation. Typically, the Queue Type will be either a locally connected printer, or a networked printer. A locally connected printer can either be a printer that is connected to the DiscoverStation by a USB cable, or a regular parallel printer cable. A networked printer typically has a Networked JetDirect or a Networked Windows queue type.
   1. 

      

      Create a Locally Connected Print Queue
      Configuring a Locally Connected Printer
      • If your printer is a locally connected printer, then an entry should be visible in the Queue Type device list.
      • If it is not in the list, click on the Rescan devices button. If your printer is connected via the parallel port and does not appear on the list even after clicking on the Rescan devices button, then you may need to power off the DiscoverStation, ensure that the printer is connected and turned on, and then power on the DiscoverStation to ensure that the printer is detected.
        
   2. 

      

      Create a JetDirect Print Queue
      Configuring a Networked JedDirect type printer
      • Choose this option if your printer is connected directly to your network or to a print server device that is directly connected to the network. Most HP networked printers are configured this way.
      • Enter the IP address of the printer in the Printer field. If you are unsure of the IP address of the printer, refer to the printer's manual on how to obtain the IP address of the printer, or ask the administrator responsible for setting up and configuring the printer.
      • In most cases, the Port field does not need to be changed.
        
   3. 

      

      Create a Windows Print Queue
      Configuring a Networked Windows type printer
      • If your printer operates under a Windows print server (or if you know that you will need to use the SAMBA service to print), choose this option. Some print release systems (ex. Printing to an ITC release queue) may need to be set up this way as well.
        
      • 

        

        Specify Windows Print Server Settings
        If the Windows print server does not appear in the list automatically, you will need to specify the credentials manually. Clicking on the Specify button will bring up a window where you can enter the login, password and Windows domain information.
      • If you are using the DiscoverStation per-station printing feature (only available for certain printing systems), note that you will need to make multiple print queues using this Queue Type with different user names.
        
10. 

    

    Select Printer Driver
    Once you've defined how the DiscoverStation will connect to the printer, you will be asked to choose the correct driver for the printer. Choose the manufacturer of your printer from the list and then choose the model of your printer.
    • It is usually best to use the recommended driver from OpenPrinting.org.
    • If that driver does not exist on the DiscoverStation, try the next best driver.
    • If none of the drivers recommended by OpenPrinting.org exist, or if your printer make and model does not appear in the list of available drivers, you may try the Generic Postscript Driver (under "Generic" for the printer manufacturer and "Postscript Printer" for the model of the printer.).
      
11. 

    

    Confirm Printer Configuration
    Finally, confirm your printer configuration by pressing the Finish button on the confirmation screen.
12. Click Yes when asked to print a test page. This will save and apply the printer settings and then attempt to print a test page. If the test page goes through, then the printer was set up correctly. If not, you may review and correct your settings by selecting the printer you had just created from the list and clicking on the Edit button.
    

Your DiscoverStation should now be configured to print.

Note that if you are using the DiscoverStation per-station printing option, you will need to repeat the process and create a seperate print queue for every workstation.

Print Job Administration

Here are some other resources related to printer administration and troubleshooting:

• Web-Based Printer Management
• Admin Guide Printing FAQs
• Printing FAQs