Question

How to hide redirected printers in Terminal Server

Asked by: z711500

We have multiple companies logging onto one terminal server.  The IP based printers with the correct permissions can only be seen by the person or groups that have access.  The problem is that redirected local printers can be seen by everybody.  Is there a way to hide redirected printers based on the company that is logged in.

Server 2003 SP1 4 gig memory, Dual Xeon

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Asked On
2007-05-25 at 09:55:34ID22595223
Tags

hide

,

printers

,

terminal

,

server

Topics

Windows Networking

,

Windows 2003 Server

,

Remote Desktop/Terminal Services

Participating Experts
3
Points
250
Comments
15

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Answers

 

by: AndrewJDavisPosted on 2007-05-25 at 19:04:25ID: 19160692

not sure what you mean by "redirected local printers"?
but i am presuming they are a printer connected to another computer that is shareing the printer, then you are connecting the terminal server to that printer that is being shared. If this is the case then the server gets all the security and config from the host pc and as such all users will be able to see it.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that this is easily resolved using unix print services.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/da16c4d7-03fb-ee46-9bd3-b19f48574f33.aspx
the link above will show you how to install the print services for unix on the host computer, and then connect to it on the terminal server.
The advantage of this is that it is not treated as a redirected printer and can be managed in the exact same way as all other IP connected printers

 

by: z711500Posted on 2007-05-29 at 06:02:01ID: 19171876

The printers are hooked up to either XP Pro or 2000 Pro machines via the Parallel port.  When they log into TS the printers become redirected.  The users do not have Administrative rights.  The solution above would have to be done on 300 workstations so this really is not the best option for us.

 

by: AndrewJDavisPosted on 2007-05-29 at 16:25:51ID: 19176334

Hang on...... These are redirected printers so i presume that you mean that they are printers that appear as "Printername (from Computername) in session X"
if this is the case, then the only person who should see this is the person who is on that session, if other people can see them then they must be members of the administrators group. Normal users should not be members of the administrators group.

 

by: z711500Posted on 2007-05-30 at 05:18:43ID: 19179142

I have checked and rechecked they are not members of the Administrators group.

 

by: AndrewJDavisPosted on 2007-05-30 at 16:44:05ID: 19184502

sorry i should have added.
Only administrators, domain printer administrators, and power users on the terminal server can see other users redirected printers

From http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/windowsnet/06_0801_tn_wslong.mspx

hopefully this will all change in Longhorn (server2007) as per http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2007/05/03/introducing-terminal-services-easy-print-part-2.aspx

 

by: AndrewJDavisPosted on 2007-08-21 at 22:01:20ID: 19743742

Recomend award points to myself as my answer was correct.

 

by: riteheerPosted on 2007-08-26 at 16:25:45ID: 19772661

AndrewJDavis,
   I'm afraid the moderators will have to decide this, I'm recommending a delete/refund on the basis that the asker asked: >>>>Is there a way to hide redirected printers based on the company that is logged in.
   I don't personally see how any of your responses answered this?  
Respectfully,
Riteheer
EE Cleanup Volunteer

 

by: AndrewJDavisPosted on 2007-08-26 at 17:58:59ID: 19772975

i disagree.
The fact is that on 2003 server there is no way to hide redirected printers based on a company (or OU).
as my discussion with z711500 established, redirectoed printers are hidden from all other users, Unless they are members of the administrators, domain printer administrators, or power users groups. This is by design in 2003.
In server 2007 there was talk that this would be changed so that you can control who has the ability to see them, but i have not confirmed that this is the case.

In either case if you wish to go down the path of the specific of the question.
>Is there a way to hide redirected printers based on the company that is logged in.

See first post > The light at the end of the tunnel is that this is easily resolved using unix print services.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/da16c4d7-03fb-ee46-9bd3-b19f48574f33.aspx
the link above will show you how to install the print services for unix on the host computer, and then connect to it on the terminal server.
The advantage of this is that it is not treated as a redirected printer and can be managed in the exact same way as all other IP connected printers

That details a method that will do as requested.
i fail to see how if a person asks a how to do something that simply is not possible and an expert offers there advise on a way around the problem then this cannot be seen as a solution and the expert awarded the points for there time.

 

by: ki-lumberPosted on 2008-08-22 at 05:32:15ID: 22289081

"redirectoed printers are hidden from all other users, Unless they are members of the administrators, domain printer administrators, or power users groups"

Not true.  The default behavior of windows 2003 Terminal Services (Standard, anyway) is to display ALL printers, including printers that are redirected from a MSTSC's workstation.  Other users cannot PRINT to those redirected printers, but they can see them.  In a large environments the list can be extremely long, and some programs can't display the full name of the printer to include the name of the reditected session, which frequently leads to confusion amongst the users.

If someone knows how to change this DEFAULT behavior, I would urge them to post the solution as this is a widespread 'issue' and I have not seen any evidence that MS will be changing it any time soon.

A link to a chat about the unreleased product (which at this time has been superseded by 2K8) is NOT a correct answer.

 

by: ki-lumberPosted on 2008-08-22 at 05:43:27ID: 22289165

"That details a method that will do as requested.
i fail to see how if a person asks a how to do something that simply is not possible and an expert offers there advise on a way around the problem then this cannot be seen as a solution and the expert awarded the points for there time."

Print services for unix, is not the correct answer. And the OP already knew that IP printers could be hidden.  A simpler workaround (solution??) would be to just add the printers locally as IP printers and assign the appropriate permissions and disable printer redirection in the TS config.  That seems easier than adding another unnecessary, (and in most cases unfamiliar) service.

The question was "Is there a way to hide redirected printers based on the company that is logged in."

The correct answer is, "No, but there is a workaround."

 

by: AndrewJDavisPosted on 2008-08-23 at 01:58:16ID: 22296261

Cant believe this is even worthy of argueing.
basically if the answer is that it cant be done then that is the answer. Any other discussion of alternatives that work arround the situation are offered as they may assist in coming up with a workable solution.

as for redirected printers not being hidden to standard users. i stand by my original post and refer you to
"Note: Print administrators can see all redirected printers, both on the server and those redirected from their session while normal users can see normal printers on the server and only their own redirected printers."
from document http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/6/b/46bae314-ea7b-4c39-bcb6-defbc907ee54/TSPrint.doc#_Toc7528146


"Print services for unix, is not the correct answer."  - Maybe not but it certainly is an option
"And the OP already knew that IP printers could be hidden." - I dont remember where they ever said that or why that was a part of the discussion
" A simpler workaround (solution??) would be to just add the printers locally as IP printers" - The original question did NOT say they were IP printers. In fact in the second comment from the asker they stated that they are printers that are connected to the parralell port of the local users computer in which case the unix print method is the easiest option unless you want to go and add ip print servers with parralell ports.
Why are you assuming that the local printers are IP printers????

The bottom line is the question was answered and the  asker never came back to request any further information. So my request stands The points should be awarded to myself but i really dont care as i have now spent more time discussing the validity of my solution and as yet no one has been able to offer any supprting documentation to say different. I am allways happy to be wrong, as that is how you learn, but i do not accept "You are wrong because i say so" without some sort of clarification.     "a widespread 'issue' " i havnt seen anyone else who has a problem with this, please let me know if there is a discussion somewhere on this issue that i can learn from.

Regards
Andrew

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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