forums.xandros.com

[kalwisti]

The printer sharing problem is now resolved (thanks to the help of several people and a little experimentation); I thought I'd post some tips to the forum in case anyone else has a similar situation. In this case, the two keys to the solution were: (a). realizing that the correct networking protocol to use is Windows Networking (with Samba); and (b). using the printer driver for an Apple Laserwriter (rather than an Epson driver). I hope these tips will be useful.

Thanks to everyone who helped!
=david

The Goal
---------------
To share a USB printer (Epson Stylus Color 740i) between this Xandros computer and our old iMac (upgraded to OS 10.3 "Panther") over a simple home network. The Ethernet switch is a Netgear 8-port fast Ethernet switch (10/100 Mbps, model # FS608, approx. $50 at the local CompUSA).

The Epson printer is physically connected to the iMac via a 4-port Logitech external USB hub (which we've owned since 2000 and still works fine). For space reasons, the small printer table must be placed next to the iMac.

Background Note
-----
After I first installed Xandros, I tested the Epson Stylus Color 740i as a stand-alone "Local printer" using the Add Printer Wizard, with a driver (suggested by the Wizard) called "Foomatic + gimp-print-ijs". I connected the printer directly to a USB port on the back of the Xandros computer and printed a test document. Everything worked fine. According the LinuxPrinting website (http://www.linuxprinting.org), the SC 740i works "Perfectly" (3-penguin rating) under Linux.


Install Your Hardware (Ethernet Switch and Cabling)
---------------

Easy-peasy, takes around five minutes (once you've carefully read the supplied instructions). You will need two Ethernet cables -- one for each computer.

Additional Preparations
---------------

On the iMac
----------
To configure the iMac side:
I enabled the options of "Windows Sharing", "Printer Sharing" and "FTP Access" (under System Preferences -> Internet & Network -> Sharing -> Services tab).

Under the Firewall tab [same hierarchy as above], the Firewall is Off. In the dialog box, you will see the following services enabled:

Windows Sharing (Port 139)
FTP Access (20-21, 1024-65535 from 20-21)
Printer Sharing (Ports 631, 515)

I also enabled "Share my printers with other computers" (under System Preferences -> Hardware -> Print & Fax -> Printing tab).

On the Xandros computer
----------
I enabled file sharing of the "My Documents" folder in my Home directory (by right-clicking on the folder, then navigating to Sharing -> Windows sharing -> and under the tab "Windows Sharing", enabling the option "Share this item and its contents").

I added a Network Printer through the Control Center's "Add Printer Wizard". [Detailed instructions are below].

N.B.:
According to Yves at Xandros Tech Support (Thanks, Yves!), in this case the correct networking protocol to use is Windows Networking (with Samba). Fortunately, it appears that Samba comes installed by default in Xandros 4. (Footnote: I initially -- mistakenly -- experimented with configuring the printer using the Unix network type and the “Other” network type [ipp, http] but was unsuccessful).

In the left-hand window pane of Xandros File Manager (XFM), you should see something like this:

Windows Network
Workgroup
Beverlys Computer [the default name of the iMac, which we've never bothered to change]
Stylus_COLOR_740
Stylus_COLOR_740-1 [I'm not sure why two printers appear here, so I configured both]
Xandros68bxiw5 [the name of this computer, auto-assigned by Xandros during installation]

Now that you have set up the hardware and enabled file sharing, both computers can "see" each other. In the Finder of the iMac, under "Network", there is an icon for the Xandros computer. (I thought that I would have to buy special software to allow file transfer between the machines, so this was a pleasant surprise).


How to Add and Set Up the Printer
---------------

1. Launch -> Control Center -> Control Center
2. In the left-hand window pane, navigate to Peripheral Devices -> Printers
3. Click on “Add” button in the right-hand panel.
4. The Add Printer Wizard will start.
5. Select "Network Printer" as the printer type.
6. Network Type: Select "Windows."
a. Name: [can be anything you want] I used "eps740ishared"
b. Path: instead of typing out the path, you can click on the Browse button to navigate through the Windows Network file hierarchy until you see the iMac and the shared printer. Then click on "OK" and the path will be automatically added.
c. Click on "Next" to continue using the Printer Wizard.
7. Set Printer Model

A Key Step:
As per Ronald Florence's suggestion [see more info below], configure the printer as an Apple LaserWriter (not an Epson) and select an Apple LaserWriter driver.
a. Manufacturer: Apple
b. Model: LaserWriter 12/640 ps [I chose this as a first trial; it worked, so I didn't experiment further with other LaserWriter models]
c. Driver: Foomatic + Postscript (once you select the LaserWriter model in the box above, this driver will automatically fill in)

Note:
----------
Ron Florence writes:

[redrum]

I find it amusing that one can use reverse-engineered Windows networking protocols to link two non-windows computers.. Thanks for sharing the information
_________________


Beware of the man who would deny you access to information,
for in his heart he dreams himself your master.

[kalwisti]

You're welcome. I appreciate all the bits and pieces people helped me with in order to solve the problem. It was counterintuitive to use the Windows Networking/Samba option, so I'm grateful to Yves for steering me in the right direction. (I figured that the iMac was a Unix machine at heart and therefore I should be focusing on the Unix network options for printer sharing or the "Other" network options [ipp, http]).

I was happy to see the multicolored Tux on the Printer Test Page. After all that effort to print, he looked pretty darn good.
=david