iPrint printers are auto-removed, but not reinstalled

  • 3264541
  • 21-May-2007
  • 26-Apr-2012

Environment

Novell iPrint for NetWare
Novell iPrint Client for Windows version 4.26

Situation

When changing the address type that the Print Manager is bound to, iPrint printers are auto-uninstalled from workstations. The expectation is that iPrint printers will then be auto reinstalled. Due to a bug in the iPrint client, iPrint printers are not auto reinstalled.

Resolution

Apply the iPrint client version 4.28 or later.

Status

Reported to Engineering

Additional Information

For the purpose of explaining this issue, there are 3 ways to load a print manager on NetWare:

1. NDPSM .MyPrintManager.Organization.OU
2. NDPSM .MyPrintManager.Organization.OU /IPADDRESS=[An IP Address bound to the server]
3. NDPSM .MyPrintManager.Organization.OU /DNSNAME=[A DNS Name used for the server or Print Service]

The way in which the Print Manager is loaded will dictate:

a. The name of the iPrint printer installed to the workstation.
b. How the iPrint printer installed to the workstation communicates with the Print Server (IP Address or DNS Name).

There is a feature in the iPrint client that looks up the way the Print Manager is loaded (by IP Address or DNS Name) and auto corrects the iPrint printer installed to the Windows workstation to reflect the administrator's choice (IP or DNS). This auto-remove/auto-install of the iPrint printer works unless the ShortInstallName feature is being implemented. The bug is being investigated by Novell.

Explanation on the ShortInstallName feature:
The ShortInstallName feature is enabled in sys:\Apache2\htdocs\ippdocs\iprint.ini. Change ShortInstallName = DEFAULT to ShortInstallName = [WhateverName]. Making this feature take effect will require the printer to be reinstalled to the workstation. Instead of the name in the Windows Printers folder displaying like:

[pa_name] on [ipp://IPorDNS]
The name will display as:
[pa_name] on [WhateverName]

This can shorten the length of the printer name a lot, especially if a DNS name is being used.