Printing from your VirtualBox guest through your Host's printer

[amateur_mav]

The instructions for enabling access to a Linux host's printer
from a Windows VirtualBox client goes like this:

Linux:
1. Install your printer driver. Get your printer working.
2. Add your printer to CUPS at http://localhost:631/admin
If CUPS is not installed in your computer, go to the official CUPS website to download it.
You may also want to read the Ubuntu Official Documentation here.

3. Set your virtual machine's Network to Bridged Adapter (eth0) in Settings and connect the cable (Advanced menu).
4. Start your VirtualBox machine.
5. Enter "ifconfig" at a terminal prompt to list your current network settings
and copy down your host's (eth0) address. You can also access this address using Network Tools.

Windows:
1. Add a new Network printer in "Printers and Faxes" from the Control Panel
2. Enter the URL address of your host's printer.
For example: http://192.168.0.2:631/printers/Your_printer's_name

You need the :631 after your host's address as this is the port
that CUPS listens to. Your_printer's_name is the name of the printer you added to CUPS.

If no connection is made, check your firewall settings.


If you want a Linux VirtualBox client to access a Window's host's printer, you're going the wrong direction!

[terdon]

Hi, thanks for the tip! Isn't it also possible to directly install the printer through the usb connection? I cannot get my guest XP to see the printer. Although it comes up under the shared devices in the virtual box menu, its name is greyed out...

Any ideas?

[b&m]

The instructions for enabling access to a Linux host's printer
from a Windows VirtualBox client goes like this:

Linux:
1. Install your printer driver. Get your printer working.
2. Add your printer to CUPS at http://localhost:631/admin
If CUPS is not installed in your computer, go to the official CUPS website to download it.
You may also want to read the Ubuntu Official Documentation here.

3. Set your virtual machine's Network to Bridged Adapter (eth0) in Settings and connect the cable (Advanced menu).
4. Start your VirtualBox machine.
5. Enter "ifconfig" at a terminal prompt to list your current network settings
and copy down your host's (eth0) address. You can also access this address using Network Tools.

Windows:
1. Add a new Network printer in "Printers and Faxes" from the Control Panel
2. Enter the URL address of your host's printer.
For example: http://192.168.0.2:631/printers/Your_printer's_name

You need the :631 after your host's address as this is the port
that CUPS listens to. Your_printer's_name is the name of the printer you added to CUPS.

If no connection is made, check your firewall settings.


If you want a Linux VirtualBox client to access a Window's host's printer, you're going the wrong direction!

Very useful, thanks a lot.

Let me just add one bit more of information: on the Linux side in System/Administration/Printing/Server/Setting be sure that the flag "Allow printing from the Internet" is set.

[Birdman2010]

The instructions for enabling access to a Linux host's printer
from a Windows VirtualBox client goes like this:

Linux:
1. Install your printer driver. Get your printer working.
2. Add your printer to CUPS at http://localhost:631/admin
If CUPS is not installed in your computer, go to the official CUPS website to download it.
You may also want to read the Ubuntu Official Documentation here.

3. Set your virtual machine's Network to Bridged Adapter (eth0) in Settings and connect the cable (Advanced menu).
4. Start your VirtualBox machine.
5. Enter "ifconfig" at a terminal prompt to list your current network settings
and copy down your host's (eth0) address. You can also access this address using Network Tools.

Windows:
1. Add a new Network printer in "Printers and Faxes" from the Control Panel
2. Enter the URL address of your host's printer.
For example: http://192.168.0.2:631/printers/Your_printer's_name

You need the :631 after your host's address as this is the port
that CUPS listens to. Your_printer's_name is the name of the printer you added to CUPS.

If no connection is made, check your firewall settings.


If you want a Linux VirtualBox client to access a Window's host's printer, you're going the wrong direction!

I am learning a lot about Mint (ubuntu flavor), but I'm not ready to commit. So, for now, how do I go the "wrong direction"? I cannot get it to hit my Windows 7 printer (Epson Artisan 725).

Thanks!

[Elfy]

Old thread closed.

If you need help then please start a new thread - if it's for Mint - try the Mint forums, if you need to post here about Mint then please use the Other O/s Forum - http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=401