dsghi's avatar
dsghi
Iron Contributor
Jan 21, 2021
Status:
Not planned

Linux support for Universal Print connector

The ability to install the connector on a Linux server for use with legacy printers would be nice. In cloud-only environments, there are no servers on-premise or always-on PCs to install the connector, and having to use a dedicated Windows computer provides a larger attack surface. We'd love for all offices to have printers with native support, but it'll be a few years before that might happen. 😉

10 Comments

  • abFringe's avatar
    abFringe
    Copper Contributor

    Rani_Abdellatif 

     

    I would love to only use universal print ready printers, however, the printer manufacturers are actively choosing to not update the firmware on older printers that otherwise are running fine. In an office were a new machine costs $15-25k it makes no sense to retire an older printer that otherwise works fine. This is just a hindrance to adoption.

     

    I have two old printers i would love to enable this on but have no always on PC in the location. There has to be another option to connect. please help

  • CUIASadmin's avatar
    CUIASadmin
    Copper Contributor

    Hey Rani,

     

    Do you have a guide on how to setup the Universal Print Ready printers? Im having issues with constant errors. 

     

  • Please consider using Universal Print Ready printers so you don't need a connector at all.

  • rwood380's avatar
    rwood380
    Copper Contributor

    While I am disappointed as well, I think Microsoft's position is that partners offer appliances that do enable legacy printers to work with Universal Print without installing the Universal Print Connector, and Microsoft shouldn't undercut those partners. https://www.thinprint.com/en/products/thinprint-hub/ is one such example.

  • Sean_Crago's avatar
    Sean_Crago
    Brass Contributor

    Concur - Something as simple as a package a tech can install on a Raspberry Pi or a RouterBoard and slap right onto the legacy printer to add a layer of additional security between it and the internet is expected. And something specifically advertised by competing products.

  • lachlan888's avatar
    lachlan888
    Copper Contributor

    Insisting on a windows license for this is ludicrous and just shows how out of touch Microsoft is with SMB even after decades of trying to break into the sector.

    You run SQL Server on Linux in a docker container, you should be able to run this as well.

    ARM or Raspberry Pi or even a small VM would all be suitable places to run this low footprint but essential piece of glue.

    it is the only remaining component that stop a lot of organisations from going 100% cloud.

  • GuillaumeJaouen's avatar
    GuillaumeJaouen
    Copper Contributor

    Such lacking feature remove all interrest of Microsoft universal print cloud service in mixed os environnements with old printers. Integrating a universal print connector with cups server should be on the roadmap of this azure cloud service. 

  • I don't understand why it is not planned. 

    It's a serious drawback when you want full MS Cloud.

  • IsaacJohnson's avatar
    IsaacJohnson
    Copper Contributor

    For us, we work with a lot of small offices, particularly nonprofits, who have a legacy printer that might still have 4 or 5 more years of lease left when we onboard them. It would be great to be able to install cheap low power Linux mini computers or even Rasberry Pi into a network rack to facilitate printing in the cloud-first/cloud-only small office until they eventually upgrade printers.