12.10 Managing through iprint.ini

A configuration file named iprint.ini is located on each server where a Print Manager is running. The iprint.ini file should be synchronized across all servers where iPrint and a Print Manager are running. The iprint.ini file is located on the iPrint appliance at /var/opt/novell/iprint/htdocs/.

The file controls the following tasks only on a Windows OS:

IMPORTANT:When you apply a support pack, the existing iprint.ini file is saved as iprint.bak and a new iprint.ini is added. If you made changes to the iprint.ini file, you must delete the new iprint.ini file from the support pack and rename iprint.bak to iprint.ini. If you want the new functionality that is included with the latest iprint.ini, you should re-create the settings in iprint.bak in the new iprint.ini.

12.10.1 Automatically Updating the iPrint Client

When a workstation boots up, iPrint checks the default printer to ensure that the workstation is using the latest Novell iPrint Client. If necessary, a newer client is installed. You can use a configuration file to control how this update takes place.

An iprint.ini configuration file is located on each server where iPrint is installed. This file controls whether the user is prompted before the updated client is installed or the updated client is installed without user intervention. When the client is installed without user intervention, the user still sees the installation program.

  1. Using a text editor, edit the iprint.ini configuration file.

    The iprint.ini file is located in /var/opt/novell/iprint/htdocs/

  2. Change the AllowAutoUpdate setting for the desired behavior.

  3. Save the file.

IMPORTANT:The iprint.ini file should be synchronized across all servers where iPrint and an Print Manager are running.

12.10.2 Creating a Short Printer Name Profile

By default, the installed printer name on the client follows the full UNC/URL format: \\ipp://dns_name\printer_name. For example, \\ipp://Printing.My_Company.Com\ColorPrinter. These printer names are often too long to fit in an application’s display field for the printer name. You can use a Short Printer Name Profile to replace the UNC server name (or dns_name) for all printers on a Print Manager with any name you want to display. For example, if you want to display just the company name, you could use \\My_Company\ColorPrinter.

NOTE:You should keep the UNC path and printer name to fewer than 32 characters.

The Short Printer Name Profile is available only on Windows NT, XP, 2000, 2003 and later workstations. When you implement a Short Printer Name Profile, printers that are already installed are not affected. Only newly installed printers after the change use the shortened name. For printers already installed, you must delete and reinstall the printers to implement any changes to their names.

  1. Edit iprint.ini in a text editor.

    The iprint.ini file is located in var/opt/novell/iprint/htdocs/

  2. Change the value of the ShortInstallName parameter to the value you want displayed.

    ShortInstallName=your_name

    Replace your_name with the value you want displayed. To reset the parameter to its default setting, use default as the value.

    Use only lower ASCII characters and do not use a slash, quote, space, or comma.

  3. Save the file.

IMPORTANT:The iprint.ini file should be synchronized across all servers where iPrint and a Print Manager are running. The Installed Printer Name Profile affects all printers on a Print Manager.

12.10.3 User Printers

A printer can be installed as a workstation printer or a user printer. The User Printer feature takes advantage of the Microsoft Access Control List ability to restrict users ability to view the printer. Only the user which installed the printer can install, see, use, and delete the printer. Hence, it is the User's Printer, and not the Workstation's Printer. User printers are not available to other users on the workstation.

Enabling User Printers

To enable user printers, edit the iprint.ini file and change the value for AllowUserPrinters = value to one of the following:

Table 12-4 User Printer Settings

Value

Description

0

Follow Windows standards and only let users with sufficient permissions to install the printer to the desktop. This allows all users to see and use this printer. This is considered a global or workstation printer.

1

If the current user does not have permissions to add a workstation printer (option 0), automatically add the printer so that only the current user can install, view, modify, or delete this printer. This is considered a private or user printer.

2

Only add user printers. All users (including Administrators or Power Users) that add a printer can install, view, modify, or delete the printer they installed. All printers are private or user printers.

3

Only add workstation printers. No permissions are required. All users have rights to install, view, modify, or delete iPrint printers even if the Windows workstation has been locked down. Non-iPrint printers are not affected.

The user printer feature is now enabled for your users. For workstations above Windows 8.1 and later, an additional option AllowWSACLPrinters = entry must be set in the iprint.ini file for the User Printer feature to work. The acronym WSACL within the AllowWSACLPrinters stands for Workstation Access Control List.

Table 12-5 User Printer Settings for Windows 8.1 and above

Value

Description

0

The WSACL printers enables user printing feature on OS Windows 8.1 and later. Windows 2012 R2 with V4 driver support. By, default the setting is disabled.

1

Enable the AllowUserPrinters settings, then enable this setting. For operating systems below Windows 8.1, the User printer feature works in the legacy way.

IMPORTANT:If the printers are created (legacy way) on Windows 8.1 or later workstations, you must delete the printers and install new printers. Enabling AllowUserPrinters settings on those printers will not enable the new User printer functionality.

Example: Three workers—Albert, Juan, and Carla—share the same computer during the day. Albert prints to an accounting printer, Juan prints to a plotter, and Carla prints to a printer in the CEO’s office. The administrator set AllowUserPrinters = 2. Each worker can install the printer he or she needs but cannot see printers installed by the other users.

Deleting User Printers

To delete a User printer, do the following:

  1. Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.

  2. Select the User printer that you want to delete and right-click:

    • Remove iPrint Printer: Click this option to delete User printers created on workstations Windows 8.1 and above. This option is available with iPrint client 6.07 and later.

    • Remove device: Click this option to delete User printers created on workstations below Windows 8.1.

12.10.4 iPrint Client Management

iCM lets you designate printers to be installed on a workstation when a user logs in to the workstation using the Novell Client. For more information, see .Using iPrint Client Management

Enabling and Disabling iPrint Client Management

You can use the iprint.ini file to enable and disable iPrint Client Management (iCM). Use the iCMEnabled value in the following ways:

  • iCMEnabled = 1

    iCM is fully enabled. iCM attributes are identified from the full tree hieararchy.

  • iCMEnabled = 0

    iCM is disabled.

    IMPORTANT:Using this command disables all iCM configurations created in the Novell Client.

Applying iCM

A new option Refresh iCM is introduced to apply the configuration changes made by the administrator.

Figure 12-7 Refresh iCM

The user clicks Refresh iCM to immediately apply the iCM settings modified by the administrator. A window is displayed with results of settings that were modified.

When an user click Refresh iCM and if no window is displayed, then the user has to logout and relogin to the workstation to apply the changes.

Setting the Default Attributes Container for iPrint Client Management

You can use the iprint.ini file to set the default container that iCM should read values from. To configure this scope, use the following command:

  • iCMScope = DEFAULT

    Using this command stops the system from reading iCM attributes beyond the container you specify. The iCM attributes are read on the full tree hierarchy. The iCM attributes are considered within the specified tree hierarchy.

    For example, you can use the OU=UNIT,O=COMPANY command to set the iCMScope to the Organizational Unit in the OU from the base of the tree. The user should be present within the specified container for iCM function to work.

    NOTE:Setting the attribute in this way does not work above the specified container.