Question

Print locally through a VPN connection.

Asked by: jasbday40

I am trying to setup a user so they can print documents locally from a server via a Windows XP VPN connection. They connect the VPN, then they access a remote server that sits on 192.168.1.5 to use an application on that server. They complete a form inside the application on the remote server and now they need print it at their location from a printer connected via usb on their workstation. The printer is shared on their workstation. Is there a way to do this?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Asked On
2009-07-19 at 14:31:10ID24582775
Tags

VPN Printing

Topics

Internet Protocols

,

Virtual Private Networking (VPN)

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: bignewfPosted on 2009-07-19 at 14:39:52ID: 24891171

try this:

on the properties of the vpn connection>networking>tcp\ip>properites>advanced
uncheck "use default gateway on remote network"

 

by: bignewfPosted on 2009-07-19 at 14:48:24ID: 24891204

Also, you should be able to print locally with either LPT(parallel port) or USB printer as long as the printer is not shared in a workgroup. The reason for the above modification is so local network traffic is not directed to the vpn tunnel.

 

by: jasbday40Posted on 2009-07-19 at 15:12:33ID: 24891303

The application they are using is running on the remote server. The printer is not installed on that server. Once the form is completed how do I redirect it back to the printer on the local users computer to print the document? The printer is connected locally via usb. This is where I am confused.

 

by: bignewfPosted on 2009-07-19 at 15:14:27ID: 24891312

you can print to file and copy it back to the machine that is connected to the usb printer.

 

by: jasbday40Posted on 2009-07-19 at 15:20:19ID: 24891325

So it cannot be priinting directly to the local printer?

 

by: bignewfPosted on 2009-07-19 at 15:36:39ID: 24891382

you have to check the application itself to see if it allows configuration of the local printer for redirection. Otherwise, print to file is a workaround here

 

by: DatedmanPosted on 2009-07-19 at 21:29:13ID: 24892424

OK the use default gateway thing has nothing to do with local access or printing...

Your problem is likely that local USB printers are tough to use w/terminal services & RDP.  Is this printer installed on the server?  What version of Windows is the server running?  You will need to install the *same* driver on the server and then you will likely have to fool Windows into thinking you have your printer on an LPT port...

 

by: DatedmanPosted on 2009-07-19 at 21:33:33ID: 24892438

Assuming that the server does have the same printer driver installed, you should be able to do this:

On your machine (that's going in with VPN) share the printer.  Then go to a command prompt (start/run/CMD) and type:

NET USE LPT1: \\computername\sharename

Then make your connection and it should print.  If you have something on LPT1 already (hardly anyone does now) you can use LPT2 or whatever.  You're just basically fooling the RDP session into thinking of your printer as a LPT port-printer so it gets redirected.

 

by: jasbday40Posted on 2009-07-20 at 07:48:19ID: 24895567

The Server does not have that printer installed. I was trying to assign a LPT2 port as a work around. The issue I am having is when they go to print the document from the application, that printer is not listed because it is not installed on that server. I was trying to find a way for 2 users at a temporary remote branch to print documents locally to a shared USB printer on one of the workstations. The application is running on Windows Server 2003, and all users a running XP Pro. The printer that I am trying to print to is a OKI 2200n. I hope this information helps. If at all possible I do not want to install this particular printer on the server. Thanks.

 

by: DatedmanPosted on 2009-07-20 at 07:52:20ID: 24895628

Unfortunately the printer has to be installed on the server.  But what version of Windows is the server running?  There is an option to fall back to a generic printer driver but if at all possible you want to install the printer driver on the server.  No need to install all the crap that many manufacturers give you to install with the driver--just the basic driver.

Once it is installed on the server you can use the workaround above to map to LPT2 and it should work.

 

by: RobWillPosted on 2009-07-20 at 10:15:34ID: 24896974

Assuming they are using a remote desktop connection:
To set up printing with remote desktop:
-On the users workstation when they start the remote desktop connection client, click the options button, and then go to the local resources tab. Check the box for printers and save. (If connecting with  Remote Web Workplace after "connect to client desktops" select "optional settings" and then "Enable documents on the remote computer to be printed on a local printer")
-the drivers for the printer have to be installed on the computer to which you are connecting, assuming they are not native to the operating system. Do not install the printer on the computer to which you are connecting but rather; on the "server" computer, open printers and faxes, on the menu bar go to file, server properties, add, and point to the diver .inf file. You will have to download the drivers first to a temporary folder. If you do this remotely, you should log off and back on before trying to print
-if still having problems, again on the computer to which you are connecting, go to printers and faxes, on the menu bar go to file, server properties, ports. Look at the port type. If it is a Dot4, you will need to use the following Microsoft fix: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q302361
-if it is an option, often connecting the printer to another local computer and sharing it, then connecting to the share rather than having it attached locally, often resolves the problem. If you are using a VPN client this is not always possible, due to routing issues.
-if you are using a USB printer, though it usually works (some multi-function units do not), Microsoft does not officially support USB printing through remote desktop sessions. Vista is supposed to resolve this, though it doesn't help you now.
-avoid PCL6 drivers with terminal services
-Microsoft has released an updated version of the Remote desktop Connection (ver 6) which should be more compatible with USB printers. Certainly offers more USB options, assuming these are compatible with existing O/S's.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=26F11F0C-0D18-4306-ABCF-D4F18C8F5DF9&displaylang=en

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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