FreeBSD based, standalone, print server

[Olivier Nicole]

HI Warren

>> The network card on my HP 4300 is definitely dead. All I am left with
>> is a... parallel port!
>
>
> Just for clarity, is that the good kind of HP 4300, a laser printer, or the
> other kind, a multifunction inkjet?

That's a good old fashioned HP LaserJet 4300 dt(n) (it has lost the n
with the network ability).

>> But the printer is still working fine, printing fast and in good
>> quality.
>>
>> I don't want to invest in a new network card though, while I have a
>> bunchg of old systems lying around.
>>
>> Solutions are:
>>
>> 1) I set-up a small FreeBSD box, with printer spooler, and all my
>>   quota stuff;
>>
>> 2) I find a solution to bridge the parallel port and the ethernet
>>   port. This is more exciting and I keep the quota and spooling on
>>   the original print server.
>>
>> Any cue for the option 2?
>
>
> Without a way to reprogram the firmware in the printer, you'll have to use a
> server on a computer.  lpd(8) works, but your later post says you want to
> use port 9100.  It should be possible to use something like nc(1) to receive
> raw data on port 9100 and just dump it to the parallel port.  There will be
> little or no error handling.

Thanks, that is what I am looking for.

Best regards,

Olivier

> Finding an EIO JetDirect would be better, if it is the right kind of
> printer.
>
> _______________________________________________
> freebsd-questions at freebsd.org mailing list
> http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions
> To unsubscribe, send any mail to "freebsd-questions-unsubscribe at freebsd.org"