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Working with the 10 connection limit in Windows XP

Windows XP is limited to 10 simultaneous network connections (fileshare or printer connections). Microsoft builds this behavior into Windows XP and Vista so that their customers are required to upgrade to server class editions of Windows, which are more able to handle a larger volume of connections.

It is still possible to run PaperCut and host printers on Windows XP with more than 10 workstations, however, using the following method.

Note: This method is not recommend nor supported by our technical team. The best technical solution is to simply upgrade to a server class system if you have a large network. This following method is only provided as a hint that may help some organizations.

Mapping Printer Queues Using LPR/LPD

Note: this process can be quite complicated. There are also some disadvantages over using standard Windows print queues, the main one being that the print queues will be unauthenticated (i.e. you cannot enforce access control), and you will loose “auto driver deployment”.

On the system hosting your print queues

Install TCP/IP print services:

1. Have the Windows installation CD on hand
2. Log on as a local Administrator
3. Navigate to Start→Control Panel→Network Connections or right-click on My Network Places and select Properties…
4. Select the menu Advanced→Optional Network Components…
5. Select Other Network File and Print Services
6. Click Next and OK.
7. Reset the system if requested
8. Open Start→Settings→Control Panel→(Administration Tools)→Services
9. Double-click TCP/IP Printing Services and set the startup type to Automatic

Windows XP Firewall:

1. The Windows XP SP2 firewall is now enabled by default and will block access to the printer. An exception rule must be defined.
2. Navigate to Start→Control Panel→Network Connections or right-click on My Network Places and select Properties…
3. Right-click on the network adaptor responsible for network communications and select Properties
4. Select the Advanced tab and click the Settings… Windows firewall button.
5. Select the Exceptions tab and click Add Port…
6. Enter a name of Printer and a port number of 515. Ensure TCP is selected. Click OK.
7. Click OK, then OK again to apply the change.

Install printer(s):

1. Install the printer using the manufacturer’s install method or drivers (if not already installed)
2. Verify that the printer is not shared by right-clicking on the printer icon under Start→Settings→Printers and selecting Sharing…
3. Right-click on the printer icon under Start→Settings→Printers and select Properties…
4. The printer name will need to be typed in exactly from the workstation(s), so renaming the printer to a short and easy to remember name is recommended.

On the workstation(s)

Add the printer exposed to the network as a local server printer:

1. Log on to the server as Administrator
2. Invoke the Add Printer wizard from Start→Settings→Printers
3. Select Local printer
4. Ensure Automatically detect Plug-n-Play printers is not selected
5. Select Create a new port and highlight LPR Port
6. Enter the name of the server hosting the printer and the name associated with the printer (step 4 in “Install printer(s)”)
7. Complete the Add Printer wizard as normal.

Test the printer:

1. Send a print job from the workstation and confirm that it enters the print queue on the server.
2. Confirm that PaperCut has logged the print job.

Categories: Implementation, Printers

keywords: local printers, desktop printers, print quotas on workstation printers, advanced printer setup

Page last modified on January 02, 2012, at 07:10 PM

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