About LPR

LPR is a printing protocol developed for hosting printers on Unix systems. Because LPR is a simple and well-known standard, it proves an excellent method of sharing printers across disparate network systems. In cases where print tracking with Argos might otherwise not be possible, Sepialine recommends using LPR on your Windows server. Think of LPR as an cross-platform alternative to Windows printer sharing.

When to Use LPR

Argos print tracking software works by tracking printing on Windows print servers. In some scenarios - such as Unix / Linux / Windows mixed environments, or some wide format printing systems - native print tracking is not possible. However, by establishing an LPR port on a Windows server, and then "bouncing" print jobs through the LPR port, Argos software will be able to track printing.


Some applications can print direct. Tracking cannot occur.


With LPR, Argos can capture and track printing

Installing LPR Capability on Your Windows Server

LPR support is part of the Printing Services for Unix package. This package ships with Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP servers and workstations. Printing Services for Unix is not installed by default. To install Print Services for Unix:

• Select Start > Settings > Control Panel
• Double-click Add / Remove Programs
• Click Add / Remove Windows Components
• Check Other Network File and Print Services
• Click Next and follow the instructions on the screen

How Windows Shares Printers Via LPR

Once you have installed Unix Print Services (described above), Windows automatically begins publishing your shared printers as LPR devices. Some LPR clients cannot consume print queues with spaces in their names. For this reason, you may wish to consider establishing printer shares without spaces.

How to Connect to an LPR Print Queue

The procedure for connecting to LPR queues varies depending on which operating system or application you are using. However, all LPR clients require two common items: the IP address or DNS name or the LPR server, and the printer queue name.

To connect a Windows computer to an LPR print queue:

1. Select Start > Settings > Printers and Faxes
2. Select Add a New Printer
3. When prompted, select Local printer attached to this computer
   
4. Select Create a new port. On the Type of port dropdown list, select LPR Port. Click Next.
   
5. In the Add LPR compatible printer dialog, supply the DNS name or IP address of the LPR server. Type the name of the print queue.
   
6. Select the manufacturer and model of the printer
   
7. Click Next until finished

To connect Océ Print Exec LT to an LPR print queue:

1. In the left pane of the Print Exec LT window, select the Printers icon
2. On the toolbar, click the New button. When the Add Printer Wizard appears, click Next
3. Select A network printer via an LP service (no feedback). Click Next.
   
4. In the Host name field, type the IP address or DNS name of the LPR server
   
5. In the Queue name field, type the queue name. Click Next.
6. Select the printer model to which you are connecting. Click Next.
   
7. If you know your printer's attributes, specify them in the Printer options area
   
8. Give the printer a friendly name. This is the the name you will use to refer to the printer while working in Print Exec LT. Outside of Print Exec LT, this name has no meaning