Accessing a printer attached to a Airport Express (bonjour)

[Sam Tygier]

Eamonn Sullivan wrote:
> Here's an unusual problem, but I hope not *too* unusual. I'm using
> Breezy at home, but also Mac OS X (an iMac) and Windows (XP). All are
> connected over a wireless network. I also have two Airport Express
> boxes around for playing iTunes music in the kitchen and upstairs. I
> have one printer shared by the Windows PC, which Ubuntu has no
> problems using. I have another printer connected to one of the Airport
> Expresses, which either the Windows box can use (via an IP address)
> and the Mac can use (via bonjour).
> 
> (Yes, my home network is a bit complicated, and I haven't mentioned all of it.)
> 
> What's the easiest way to access that bonjour-connected printer from
> Linux? I'm sure I can share it from Windows, but that gets turned off
> now and again. Is there any way to directly access it over Linux?
> 
> I tried installing the bonjour-equivalent (I forget the name, I'm at
> work) on Ubuntu, but the service-discovery-applet that comes with it
> wouldn't start. No messages, no nothing, just doesn't start. I must be
> missing something. And, even if that works and I'm able to *see* the
> printer, I'm not sure how I'd actually be able to print to it.
> 
> -Eamonn

hello

zeroconf (bonjour), is just a protocol for IP address asignment, name resolution and service solicitation. It basically saves you having to set up a dhcp and dns server (and reconfigure it when ever a new computer/server arrived.)

i am not completely sure what protocol that actual printing is done with. it could be CUPS or SMB, but i'm not sure.

have you got to a point the point where you can ping the macs and airport expresses by their bonjour names? if so you have got as far zeroconf is going to get you.

i recomend that you install ethereal, and do some traffic listening.

or see if the gnome printer control panel can detect a printer.

sam

		
___________________________________________________________ 
To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com