printing to a network printer over a VPN connection

[JCROCCO]

Is it possible to print to a network printer over a VPN connection? Actually, its a plotter, and uses an HP print server built in to it.

Can I make a vpn connection from home to the office, and plot directly to it?

Can I make a plot file at home, and use the plot file to print to it?

The VPN is thru our Netopia 7100 router, and all I am able to see is the Snap Server which is web based, and our file server. Is there another piece of software to be able to see the other computers or the printers on the network?

All systems running WIN XP PRO and on the same subnet and can currently make an active VPN tunnel.

What am I missing?

 

[mboy]

Do you have that printer installed on your PC? U can def. print over VPN.

 

[JCROCCO]

not at the home computer at the moment. But over the VPN, cant even see the plotter to connect it to.

 

[loup garou]

Depending on the model of plotter, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm guessing you were trying to browse the network neighborhood for it from your home pc, which almost never works.

The quick and easy way to do this is to find out the ip of the printserver (check the properties of plotter on one of the office systems that has it installed, or print a test page from the printserver). Then, when you get home (make sure you have the plotter drivers), connect to the vpn, then run the add printer wizard, select local printer, create new TCP/IP port, then plug in the plotter's IP and you're good to go.

 

[JCROCCO]

can it really be that simple? Should I try to ping it after the VPN connection to see if I can see it first? Do I need to add it as a port first?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
can it really be that simple? Should I try to ping it after the VPN connection to see if I can see it first? Do I need to add it as a port first?

yep, it's that easy as long as your printserver doesn't require software (even then you can just install it on your home computer), but I've never encountered a JetDirect that requires software.

You can go ahead and ping it to be sure, but as long as it's turned on and you have the right IP, you should be able to ping it no matter what.

Also, plotting from home is going to be slooooow.

 

[JCROCCO]

Thank you very much. I will try it and see what happens.