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Terminal Services EZprint usage
Is it possible to have users who log into a 2008 R2 Terminal Server print to network printers via EZPrint? In other words the EZPrint driver will be enough - I won't have to install specific printer drivers to the Terminal Server? I understand I may lose some functionality if I don't have the specific print driver for the printer but that is not a concern in my environment. I am trying to avoid installing multiple print drivers on multiple Terminal Servers.
ASKER
Thanks for responding.
"If you want internal users to print to network printers" - this is the scenario I want.
"..then as long as the local client has that printer configured, it will be carried over " - not sure what that means. I don't want to install any printer drivers if at all possible on the 2008 R2 Terminal Server. I just want to hook up a network printer (printer with a network jack) to the network with some IP and then when a user logins into their TS session they use universal EZprint driver to print to that printer. So I've never had to install any printer driver anyway.
Do you use EZprint?
"If you want internal users to print to network printers" - this is the scenario I want.
"..then as long as the local client has that printer configured, it will be carried over " - not sure what that means. I don't want to install any printer drivers if at all possible on the 2008 R2 Terminal Server. I just want to hook up a network printer (printer with a network jack) to the network with some IP and then when a user logins into their TS session they use universal EZprint driver to print to that printer. So I've never had to install any printer driver anyway.
Do you use EZprint?
With what you're trying to achieve, you will need to install a printer driver on the RD Server OR on the clients. If the printers is installed locally on all the client machines then Easy Print will automatically redirect the printer on the RD session.
I have used Easy Print and it works flawlessly, as an IT support company, we implement many solutions for numerous client networks.
I don't think you understand what exactly Easy Print is judging by your comment about not installing a printer on the network at all. For clarification, you will need to install a printer driver on your network regardless, whether on the server or all client machines. Easy Print doesn't magically create a printer connection without drivers on the client machine. Easy Print is a technology which allows printer redirection of client printers without having to install the respective drivers on the RD Servers.
Based on your scenario, I think you need to install the network printer drivers on the local RD Server, this will allow all internal clients to see the printer and print.
Problem solved, let me know how you get on.
I have used Easy Print and it works flawlessly, as an IT support company, we implement many solutions for numerous client networks.
I don't think you understand what exactly Easy Print is judging by your comment about not installing a printer on the network at all. For clarification, you will need to install a printer driver on your network regardless, whether on the server or all client machines. Easy Print doesn't magically create a printer connection without drivers on the client machine. Easy Print is a technology which allows printer redirection of client printers without having to install the respective drivers on the RD Servers.
Based on your scenario, I think you need to install the network printer drivers on the local RD Server, this will allow all internal clients to see the printer and print.
Problem solved, let me know how you get on.
ASKER
Yes, I am definitely uncertain about a few things about EasyPrint.
For one, as it's 'generic' do I really have to install a specific printer driver for the specific printers I have on the network? In other words let's say I have an HP-X and and HP-Y printer on the network - can I install any printer driver at all just so I have a printer driver and then Easy Print will print to the printers even though it's not the 'right' printer driver. I understand I may lose some features as opposed to having the 'correct printer' driver but assuming I don't care will this technically work.
Also let's say I have a print server that hosts all the necessary printers. If all the necessary printer drivers are on the print server for the printers it hosts, can I use EasyPrint to print to them from an RDS session or will I still have to install some printer drivers on the Terminal Server?
For one, as it's 'generic' do I really have to install a specific printer driver for the specific printers I have on the network? In other words let's say I have an HP-X and and HP-Y printer on the network - can I install any printer driver at all just so I have a printer driver and then Easy Print will print to the printers even though it's not the 'right' printer driver. I understand I may lose some features as opposed to having the 'correct printer' driver but assuming I don't care will this technically work.
Also let's say I have a print server that hosts all the necessary printers. If all the necessary printer drivers are on the print server for the printers it hosts, can I use EasyPrint to print to them from an RDS session or will I still have to install some printer drivers on the Terminal Server?
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ASKER
thanks for the further info.
So what I am reading here is that one way or another I have to install printer drivers locally on the TS. And if I have 30 TS servers I have to install all drivers on all of them. There is no way around the local install for RDS.
So what I am reading here is that one way or another I have to install printer drivers locally on the TS. And if I have 30 TS servers I have to install all drivers on all of them. There is no way around the local install for RDS.
Yes, that's correct.
If you want external users to print to local (internal) network printers, then you will need to install the printer on the RD Session host locally for it to be available to remote users who logon.
You need to ensure the client machines are using atleast RDC 6.1 and .Net Framework 3.0 SP1. No need to install any drivers on the RD Session Host.
Hope that helps clear things up, best of luck!