Miscellaneous Windows XP Printing Questions

R

Robert Lindholm

Hello:

We have setup Windows XP printer connectivity to our network printers using
the printer's IP address and would like to adjust this setting [post facto]
to use the printer's Fully Qualified Domain Name [FQDN] instead.

I assume that Windows IP printing is using whatever parameter you insert
into the "Printer Name or IP Adress" field [e.g. Printer Name or IP address]
during the printer setup process, but I'm not entirely certain about that.

Another point of uncertainty is whether the "Printer Name" refers to the
Windows [SMB/NetBIOS] name or the actual DNS host name.

Note: This is a non-AD environment and we are setting the printers up by
adding a local TCP port instead of by network discovery.

Essentially, I would like to be able to change this parameter remotely via
the command line, Registry Editor, etc, without having to invasively login
using remote desktop [if possible] or the worse yet having to effect this
change via "sneaker net".

So here are my questions:

1) Is there a way to remotely query printer installations and settings?

2) Is there a way to remotely change printer settings?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,

Bob
 
A

Alan Morris [MSFT]

use the prn*.vbs scripts in system32 which will make the changes using the
WMI print interface remotely

prncnfg.vbs /?
prnport.vbs /?
prnmngr.vbs /?


I think you mean Port Name (actually the hostname field rather than printer
name) You can use the FQDN as long as there is a valid lookup for the IP.
Are the printers setup for DHCP or do you register them in DNS? As long as
you can ping the FQDN, you can print to them.


Changing the hostname from IP to FQDN is pretty simple. The hostname is not
checked for validity when changing the port information This does not change
the Port name, you will need to add a new port if that is the intent.

Server name REMOTEMACHINE
Port name XXX.xx.128.250
Host address XXX.xx..128.250
Protocol RAW
Port number 9100
SNMP Enabled
Community public
Device index 1

E:\>prnport -s REMOTEMACHINE -t -r XXX.xx.128.250 -h newhost
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.6
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1996-2001. All rights reserved.

Created/updated port XXX.xx.128.250

E:\>prnport -g -s REMOTEMACHINE -r XXX.xx.128.250
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.6
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1996-2001. All rights reserved.


Server name REMOTEMACHINE
Port name XXX.xx.128.250
Host address newhost
Protocol RAW
Port number 9100
SNMP Enabled
Community public
Device index 1

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Robert Lindholm said:
Hello:

We have setup Windows XP printer connectivity to our network printers
using
the printer's IP address and would like to adjust this setting [post
facto]
to use the printer's Fully Qualified Domain Name [FQDN] instead.

I assume that Windows IP printing is using whatever parameter you insert
into the "Printer Name or IP Adress" field [e.g. Printer Name or IP
address]
during the printer setup process, but I'm not entirely certain about that.

Another point of uncertainty is whether the "Printer Name" refers to the
Windows [SMB/NetBIOS] name or the actual DNS host name.

Note: This is a non-AD environment and we are setting the printers up by
adding a local TCP port instead of by network discovery.

Essentially, I would like to be able to change this parameter remotely via
the command line, Registry Editor, etc, without having to invasively login
using remote desktop [if possible] or the worse yet having to effect this
change via "sneaker net".

So here are my questions:

1) Is there a way to remotely query printer installations and settings?

2) Is there a way to remotely change printer settings?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,

Bob
 
R

Robert Lindholm

Alan:

Thanks so much for your reply :)

The printers are in DNS and are pingable, so this should [hopefully] work.

Thanks again,

Bob
--
Robert Lindholm
University of Rochester


Alan Morris said:
use the prn*.vbs scripts in system32 which will make the changes using the
WMI print interface remotely

prncnfg.vbs /?
prnport.vbs /?
prnmngr.vbs /?


I think you mean Port Name (actually the hostname field rather than printer
name) You can use the FQDN as long as there is a valid lookup for the IP.
Are the printers setup for DHCP or do you register them in DNS? As long as
you can ping the FQDN, you can print to them.


Changing the hostname from IP to FQDN is pretty simple. The hostname is not
checked for validity when changing the port information This does not change
the Port name, you will need to add a new port if that is the intent.

Server name REMOTEMACHINE
Port name XXX.xx.128.250
Host address XXX.xx..128.250
Protocol RAW
Port number 9100
SNMP Enabled
Community public
Device index 1

E:\>prnport -s REMOTEMACHINE -t -r XXX.xx.128.250 -h newhost
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.6
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1996-2001. All rights reserved.

Created/updated port XXX.xx.128.250

E:\>prnport -g -s REMOTEMACHINE -r XXX.xx.128.250
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.6
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1996-2001. All rights reserved.


Server name REMOTEMACHINE
Port name XXX.xx.128.250
Host address newhost
Protocol RAW
Port number 9100
SNMP Enabled
Community public
Device index 1

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Robert Lindholm said:
Hello:

We have setup Windows XP printer connectivity to our network printers
using
the printer's IP address and would like to adjust this setting [post
facto]
to use the printer's Fully Qualified Domain Name [FQDN] instead.

I assume that Windows IP printing is using whatever parameter you insert
into the "Printer Name or IP Adress" field [e.g. Printer Name or IP
address]
during the printer setup process, but I'm not entirely certain about that.

Another point of uncertainty is whether the "Printer Name" refers to the
Windows [SMB/NetBIOS] name or the actual DNS host name.

Note: This is a non-AD environment and we are setting the printers up by
adding a local TCP port instead of by network discovery.

Essentially, I would like to be able to change this parameter remotely via
the command line, Registry Editor, etc, without having to invasively login
using remote desktop [if possible] or the worse yet having to effect this
change via "sneaker net".

So here are my questions:

1) Is there a way to remotely query printer installations and settings?

2) Is there a way to remotely change printer settings?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,

Bob
 

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