Connecting shared Windows printers to Unix?

**Eclipse2003** · 05-19-2008, 01:19 PM

We have both a Windows server and Unix server. The Windows domain is on the 10.0.0.x ip and the Unix side is 192.1.1.x ip. The PCs are logging into the Windows domain and we added the Unix default gateway to the IP config on each Windows PC and they are able to log into the domain as well as the Unix server via PowerTerm's terminal emulation software. The problem we are having is that PowerTerm cannot see the Windows IP or shared printers. We are unable to ping the Windows PCs from the Unix server. Any ideas how we can get the Unix server to see the Windows PCs and therefore the shared Printers on the Windows PCs?

Our setup is as follows:

Windows PCs connect to a 3Comm switch. The switch goes to Compaq Netelligent 10base T repeater (model stm24-a) and then from that to the Unix server and Windows Server.

Let me know any suggestions. Thanks alot!

johnhook · 05-20-2008, 03:56 AM

Eclipse2003,

You've got two issues;

1) The inability to ping the Windows PCs from Unix

2) The inability to see Shared Windows Printers

One possibility is that you have firewall software running on XP that's blocking access from either ALL pings or the network that the Unix PCs are running on. In this case, you need to alter the firewall/internet security software on the XP side to allow access from the Unix network.

The other possibility is that you don't have Windows SMB support installed on your UNIX/Linux system. SMB support allows you to access shared Windows Networking printers, files, folders via UNIX/Linux.

Your problem could be a combination of BOTH of these issues.

Reply with more detail about the Unix/Linux you're using as well as any firewall/internet security programs installed on your PC.

- John

**Eclipse2003** · 05-20-2008, 05:44 AM

Ok thanks John. Let me gather that information and get back to you. I know that the Unix server is running Sco OpenServer 5. Let me check on any firewalls or security programs.

How do you install Windows SMB support on the Unix server?

johnhook · 05-20-2008, 06:02 AM

Eclipse2003,

SMB Support on UNIX is generally done with the SAMBA software:

http://us1.samba.org/samba/what_is_samba.html

This is built into to most Linux distributions, but you may have to manually add it to SCO UNIX. See if SAMBA is an install option on your SCO Server. If not, Google the internet for SAMBA and SCO UNIX - you should find a solution.

- John

**Eclipse2003** · 05-20-2008, 01:38 PM

The Unix server has Samba installed I have found out. Do I have to configure it at all? If so, how? Sorry, I haven't worked with Unix too terribly much honestly.

Also, there are no firewalls with the exception of the standard Windows Firewall.

johnhook · 05-20-2008, 03:56 PM

Eclipse2003,

The Windows PC and SCO server must be on the same network such that you can ping one from the other visa/versa. You must open up Windows Filesharing on your XP firewall as well as SMB on any firewall you might have on the SCO box. Share folders, printers, etc as you normally would under XP (right click folder, Properties, sharing) or use the Sharing tab in the Printer's properties.

On the SCO side, once SAMBA is installed and working, you should be able to browse the XP PC - and see the shares. When you open them, it will ask for a valid XP username/password and should allow you to connect.

I'm assuming you're using some type of graphical interface on SCO - right?

- John

05-19-2008, 01:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Eclipse2003 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,154 OS: XP	Connecting shared Windows printers to Unix? We have both a Windows server and Unix server. The Windows domain is on the 10.0.0.x ip and the Unix side is 192.1.1.x ip. The PCs are logging into the Windows domain and we added the Unix default gateway to the IP config on each Windows PC and they are able to log into the domain as well as the Unix server via PowerTerm's terminal emulation software. The problem we are having is that PowerTerm cannot see the Windows IP or shared printers. We are unable to ping the Windows PCs from the Unix server. Any ideas how we can get the Unix server to see the Windows PCs and therefore the shared Printers on the Windows PCs? Our setup is as follows: Windows PCs connect to a 3Comm switch. The switch goes to Compaq Netelligent 10base T repeater (model stm24-a) and then from that to the Unix server and Windows Server. Let me know any suggestions. Thanks alot!

05-20-2008, 03:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Connecting shared Windows printers to Unix? Eclipse2003, You've got two issues; 1) The inability to ping the Windows PCs from Unix 2) The inability to see Shared Windows Printers One possibility is that you have firewall software running on XP that's blocking access from either ALL pings or the network that the Unix PCs are running on. In this case, you need to alter the firewall/internet security software on the XP side to allow access from the Unix network. The other possibility is that you don't have Windows SMB support installed on your UNIX/Linux system. SMB support allows you to access shared Windows Networking printers, files, folders via UNIX/Linux. Your problem could be a combination of BOTH of these issues. Reply with more detail about the Unix/Linux you're using as well as any firewall/internet security programs installed on your PC. - John

05-20-2008, 05:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eclipse2003 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,154 OS: XP	Re: Connecting shared Windows printers to Unix? Ok thanks John. Let me gather that information and get back to you. I know that the Unix server is running Sco OpenServer 5. Let me check on any firewalls or security programs. How do you install Windows SMB support on the Unix server?

05-20-2008, 06:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Connecting shared Windows printers to Unix? Eclipse2003, SMB Support on UNIX is generally done with the SAMBA software: http://us1.samba.org/samba/what_is_samba.html This is built into to most Linux distributions, but you may have to manually add it to SCO UNIX. See if SAMBA is an install option on your SCO Server. If not, Google the internet for SAMBA and SCO UNIX - you should find a solution. - John

05-20-2008, 01:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Eclipse2003 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,154 OS: XP	Re: Connecting shared Windows printers to Unix? The Unix server has Samba installed I have found out. Do I have to configure it at all? If so, how? Sorry, I haven't worked with Unix too terribly much honestly. Also, there are no firewalls with the exception of the standard Windows Firewall.

05-20-2008, 03:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Connecting shared Windows printers to Unix? Eclipse2003, The Windows PC and SCO server must be on the same network such that you can ping one from the other visa/versa. You must open up Windows Filesharing on your XP firewall as well as SMB on any firewall you might have on the SCO box. Share folders, printers, etc as you normally would under XP (right click folder, Properties, sharing) or use the Sharing tab in the Printer's properties. On the SCO side, once SAMBA is installed and working, you should be able to browse the XP PC - and see the shares. When you open them, it will ask for a valid XP username/password and should allow you to connect. I'm assuming you're using some type of graphical interface on SCO - right? - John