Import classic server-hosted print queues into Print Deploy

This topic describes how to use Print Deploy to clone classic server-hosted print server queues. Some benefits of using a print server are centralized driver management and PaperCut features like Print Archiving and Find-Me Printing.

One drawback is that this assumes you already have a domain environment with a print server, and that users’ computers are authenticated and already able to add print queues using the server.

May require security changes on operating system

In 2021 Microsoft introduced security changes to mitigate a vulnerability known as Print Nightmare. One change is that users must have local administrator rights to install most print drivers. This has made it less practical to deploy Windows server-hosted print queues, with or without Print Deploy.

It's possible to reverse these security changes and "Enable Point and Print" without administrator rights. For more detail, see Microsoft's instructions: KB5005652—Manage new Point and Print default driver installation behavior (CVE-2021-34481).

Another solution is to install Type-4 drivers, but these drivers have limitations with and without PaperCut.

Instead, we'd like to suggest cloning Direct Print queues or importing Mobility Print queues as alternatives. Have a look at the table here to compare options.

Diagram showing two printers connected to a print server, with users printing through the print server.

Step 1: Set up the print queues on the reference computer

A reference computer is a Windows and/or Mac computer where you set up and test the print queues before deploying them to the users. It’s also where you set the default settings for print queues (for example, grayscale, 2-sided) and capabilities (for example, finishing options like stapling and hole punching). It should not be a print server.

Windows drivers often support multiple versions of Windows, for example, Windows 10 and Windows 8. PaperCut NG/MF automatically detects which versions of Windows the driver supports and displays them in its Admin web interface.

Best Practices

We recommend you set up Find-Me printing. Find-Me printing enables users to print to a single print queue, and release their print job from any printer. After you’ve set up Find-Me printing, you’ll only need to deploy your single Find-Me print queue to users. Some organizations choose to deploy a couple of Find-Me print queues, like Find-Me Color and Find-Me Black and White.
When it comes to printer drivers, if you are using a mixed fleet of printers, then the PaperCut Global Print Driver is a great starting point. If you are using a single brand or model of printers and you want to use more advanced finishing options, use the manufacturer's driver on your Find-Me queue.
When setting up your reference computer, use printer names that will make sense to your end users, for example, 'Find-Me' or '1st floor reception'.
We recommend you set up your reference computers as virtual machines. That makes it easy for you to shut them down after cloning, and then you can fire them up again in the future if you want to tweak some print queues.

On the designated reference computer, install the network printers that you want to deploy to your users. In other words, pretend that you are setting up this computer for a user.
Configure the printer defaults for each queue.
- Windows: Printer Properties > Advanced > Printing Defaults
- Mac: via the CUPS Web Interface, available via: http://localhost:631/ or http://servername:631/
For advanced finishing options, configure the capabilities under:
- Printer Properties > General > Preferences
- Printer Properties > Advanced > Printing Defaults
  
  Note: Some vendor-specific printer drivers may have settings available in the following tabs:
  - Printer Properties > Device Settings (example: hp)
  - Printer Properties > Configuration (example: Fujifilm)
  - Printer Properties > Optional Settings (example: epson)
Test that printing works on each print queue.

Step 2: Run the Cloner to import printers

On the reference computer, log in to PaperCut NG/MF (which is installed and running elsewhere on the network).
Select Enable Printing > Print Deploy. The Print Deploy page is displayed.
Open the Print queues tab. Click + Add print queues.
Expand Import print queues by cloning printer drivers and click the button to download the cloner tool for your relevant operating system (macOS, Windows, or Linux Debian). The cloner tool (.exe, .dmg) is downloaded with the PaperCut NG/MF server address embedded into its filename.
On the Reference computer, run the cloner tool. The cloner tool bundles all of the print queues, printer drivers, default settings (for example, grayscale, 2-sided) and capabilities (for example, finishing options like stapling and hole punching) and uploads the bundle automatically to the Application Server.
All of the print queues are displayed in the Print queues list and can now be assigned to Zones.

The print queues tab in Print Deploy version 1.10.4708, showing the "Add print queues" button, along with various printers which have been imported.

What’s next?

Add zones and deploy print queues to them

Deploy print queues to individual clients (optional)

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