7.11. Printing to Windows Printers

If you have printers connected to Windows systems, Samba can help you connect to these from Unix clients. First, it is necessary to create a printer share on the Windows system. Then, set up the printer on the Unix side by configuring a new printer and using a Samba printing program as the printer's filter.

7.11.1. Sharing Windows Printers

Sharing printers on Windows is not unlike sharing files. In fact, it is a little simpler. Open the Control Panel, then double-click the Printers icon to open the Printers window. Right-click the icon for the printer you want to share, and select Sharing . . . to open the dialog box shown in Figure 7-10 for a Windows Me system, or Figure 7-11 on a Windows Server 2003 system. (The dialog box appears slightly different on other Windows versions, but functions almost identically.)