Windows Configuration for Network and Client Printers

About this task

Your system may require the following Windows configuration to insure successful Webspace client printing: Custom names for client printers, Network printer setup, and Client printer setup in a multi-server environment.

Customizing the Printer Name

Webspace installs a printer on the server for each printer that is configured on the client machine. These printers are called proxy printers and are the printers that are seen by users when printing via the Webspace session. By default, the name for the client's proxy printer installed on the Webspace Server is “client_printer_name (from client_machine_name).” So, for instance, if the client machine is named HRWorkstation and has a printer named “Xerox Phaser 6180MFP” attached to it, then the client's proxy printer on the Webspace Server will be named “Xerox Phaser 6180MFP (from HRWorkstation).” Since multiple users connect to a Webspace Server, these printers must be filtered so that users see only their own printers. This requires that each printer be assigned a unique identifier. A system administrator can specify the proxy printer format to ensure that each printer has a unique identifier. In addition, information can include the: User's name, Client computer's IP address, and the Client machine name.

Procedure

  1. Open the Windows Registry Editor.
  2. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key.
  3. Locate the PrinterNameFormat key: 
    [SOFTWARE\Proficy\Proficy Webspace\AppServer\PrinterNameFormat]
  4. Right-click PrinterNameFormat; select Modify on the Popup menu. (The default is “(from %C)”.)
  5. Enter one or more of the client printer customization tokens in the Value field. The available values are:
    Argument Description Example
    %U User name Wilson
    %I Client IP address 192.168.100.14
    %M Client MAC address 001122334455
    %C Client machine name HRWorkstation
    %S Server machine name Server1
  6. Save and close the Registry Editor.
  7. Restart the Webspace Server.

    Printer Name Format Guidelines

    • The following 2 characters are taken literally in the  PrinterNameFormat string; they are not tokens: -  @
    • 12 characters that are not allowed are: ! , \  = / : * ? " < > |
    • If any of the unallowed characters are used in the string, they are replaced with a hyphen

Adding a Port to the Webspace Server

As the administrator, you can set up network printers for use by Webspace clients. You must first create a port on the Webspace Server that connects directly to the server and then install the printer locally. This provides direct access to the printer. Network printers are set up using the Windows Add Printer Wizard, and not the Client Printer Wizard, which is accessible through the Program Window.

Procedure

  1. On the Start menu, point to Settings and then click Printers. A new window opens.
    Important: Network printers are set up using the Windows Add Printer Wizard, and not the Client Printer Wizard, which is accessible through the Program Window.
  2. Double-click the Add Printer icon.
  3. Select local printer.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Click Create a new port; select Local Port as the type.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Type the UNC path to the printer in the Port Name dialog box. For example: you could enter \\PRINTSERVER\LASERPRINTER or the printer's IP address.
  8. Select the printer manufacturer on the left and the printer model on the right, or click Have Disk.
  9. Follow the directions provided by the Add Printer Wizard to install the proper printer driver.

Configuring Client Printers in a Multi-Server Environment

In a multi-server environment, a single Driver server can be a central location for printer drivers. The Driver server acts as a repository for all printer drivers that are available to Webspace clients. Printer drivers that are installed on the Driver server are replicated on each application server when a user requiring them logs onto the Webspace Server.

About this task

When a user configures a printer with a driver that is not already available on the Driver server, that driver is replicated on the Driver server and is available to all application servers with access to that Driver server.

If the Driver server and the Relay Server are:

  • The same machine, no additional setup is required.
  • Separate machines, the Driver server must:
    • Be accessible from the application servers.
    • Have a print$ share that points to the printer driver directory.

Users need:

  • Read access to this share in order to install drivers from the Driver server.
  • Write access to this share in order to install drivers to the Driver server.

Procedure

If the Driver server and the Relay Server are on separate machines, provide the following:
  • Read access to this share in order to install drivers from the Driver server.
  • Write access to this share in order to install drivers to the Driver server.