Netgear WGPS606 Printer Configuration Mini HowTo

Created at 12:52 Aug 06, 2005 by nconantj, last modified at 11:19 Feb 09, 2007

I had a terrible time getting my HP1200 configured on the Netgear WGPS606 as a linux only user.  These are the simple steps on how to go about configuring it.

  1. Follow the manual's instructions for setting up the print server on the network via the web interface (server defaults: ip "192.168.0.102", netmask "255.255.255.0", uname "admin", password "password").
    Note: You are advised to set a static IP address, otherwise the print server may receive a different address after a power outage.
  2. Before proceeding, check your print server's firmware version.  You can find this on the status page of the web interface.  If the version is V1.0_020 or later, then proceed with setup.  If it is not, then go to http://kbserver.netgear.com/release_notes/d102696.asp and follow the directions to upgrade the firmware to V1.0_020 (latest as of August 6, 2005).
  3. Now that it's on the network and has firmware V1.0_020 or later:
    1. Unplug its power.
    2. Plug your printer into it.
    3. Turn on your printer.
    4. Plug it back in.
  4. Now, in a graphical browser.
    1. Go to http://localhost:631
    2. Click "Administration" in the header.
    3. Authenticate with user: root, password: root's password
    4. Click "Add Printer" in the Printers section.
    5. Fill in at least "Name" and click "Continue"
    6. In the Device Dropdown box, select "LPD/LPR Host or Printer" and click "Continue"
    7. In the Device URI box append "://<your_wgps606_ip>/L1" or "://<your_wgps606_ip>/L2".  L1 is for the first printer, L2 is for the second.  In my case the full URI is lpd://192.168.100.104/L1.
    8. Select your printer's make and click "Continue"
    9. Select your printer's model and click "Continue"
  5. And your done, go ahead and send a test page.
*NOTE: You can still set up the printer with pre V1.0_020 firmware, but you will have to do "Start Printer" after every job, and expect PCL errors, half completed jobs or jobs that spool but never print.**

*NOTE 2: Unfortunatly, printing multiple copies doesn't work.  To get around this problem, print to a file and then use the following script...**

Script:

#!/bin/bash

function is_int() {
  [ "$1" -eq "$1" ] > /dev/null 2>&1
  return $?
}

i=0
if ! is_int $1 || [ -z $2 ]; then
  echo "$0: USAGE: $0 <NUM_COPIES> <FILE_TO_PRINT>"
  exit 1
fi

if [ ! -e $2 ]; then
  echo "$0: $2: File does not exist."
  exit 2
fi

while (( $i < $1 )); do
  lp $2
  let i=$i+1
done


Below added December, 20, 2006
*NOTE 3: Mac OSX Tiger (10.4) ships with CUPS 1.1.  This device can be used through the Print & Fax pane under your System Prefences. (See Below)**

Mac OSX Tiger configuration:

  1. Follow steps 1-3 above.
  2. Click "System Preferences" in the Apple menu (apple shaped icon).
  3. If you can't see all the possible preferences categories, click the "Show All" button under the title bar.
  4. In the "Hardware" group, click "Print & Fax."
  5. Under the printer list, there are two(2) buttons "+" and "-", click "+."
  6. In the window that pops up ("Printer Browser"), select "IP Printer."
  7. For "Protocol," select "Line Printer Daemon - LPD."
  8. Type the IP Address of the print server into the field marked "Address."
  9. Type the queue into the field marked "Queue."  This will be either "L1" or "L2."
  10. Give the printer a name in the "Name" field.
  11. Select the appropriate print driver in the "Print Using" drop down.
  12. Finally, click the "Add" button and you're done.
    13. Listing

    Comments

    Submit Comment

    From nconantj, 18:58 Sep 01, 2005 (score=5)

    Thanks for the positive comments.  If you want to share your modifications with me, I'll start a full HOWTO for The Linux Documentation Project.  You can e-mail me at nconantj<at>frontiernet<dot>net.

    I'm actually considering putting the mini HOWTO there (in addition to here). Reply

    From davidlinux, 18:49 Aug 31, 2005 (score=5)

    Thanks! I had failed on 3 tries using CUPS on Mandrake Community 10.2 beta 3 Linux to get my Hawking PN7127P Print Server to work (I also have the HP LaserJet 1200).  I modified your mini-how-to to fit the Hawking Print Server and it worked great! dave   Reply

    From mcorum, 13:55 Aug 21, 2005 (score=5)

    Sweet!

    I've been looking on the web for about a month now, trying to get my Linux box working with my NETGEAR FWG114P firewall/printserver and an HP LaserJet 1012 printer.

    I finally hit upon your mini how-to for the wgps606 Printer config, and got it all working!

    Thanks for a simple, straight-foward how-to, guys!

    Michael Reply

    From mksclr, 19:23 Aug 25, 2009 (score=3)

    After several failures, this worked like a charm...trick was to turn off the laptop and start it back up, Firefox found the missing IP address and we're off to the races...

    Now if I can get it working on the Vista machine... Reply

    From mksclr, 19:26 Aug 25, 2009 (score=3)

    I should add:

    Unbuntu 9.04 jaunty Toshiba Satellite M55 HP Photosmart C5280

    and yeah, I'm a noob Reply

    From HeronUzr, 21:09 Jun 28, 2008 (score=3)

    Hello nconantj! I found your "Mini HowTo" the other day and I had to send a SHOUT of thanks to you. I followed your instructions to the letter and was finally able to connect wirelessly to my wgps606 instead of wirelessly through samba. I am brand new to ubuntu. (less than a week) I have been searching for this (your) solution from day 1. I appreciate your post very much and hope that I may someday be of assistance to someone in the linux community. Thanks again!

    Terry Reply

    From pfong, 10:51 Jan 29, 2008 (score=3)

    I'm using Mac OS 10.4.11 and followed the instructions in Note 3. On odd thing is that the correct printer model (Canon MF4100) is not available as an option, even though I am able to choose that option when the printer is connected via USB.

    I chose "generic postscipt printer" and seem to be able to access the print server, but the printing process hangs up on "Spooling LPR Job" for several minutes, and then the page never prints. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    From mewto, 10:21 Nov 04, 2009 (score=3)

    Mmm... Once I click comment, I can no longer see your question.   Well, I'll do my best.

    Even though I don't run MacOS, it uses CUPS to configure printers.  You need to find the right PPD file for your printer in order to have it print correctly.  Being able to access the printer just means that the printer connection, IP & Port, is configured right.   I just configured a printer on a Linux desktop.  At the last step of adding the printer, I also found that both of my printers are not listed.   When I pick something I thought should be close, it prints only blank pages.   I just went online and found the PPD file on LinuxPrinting.org, download it, modify the printer and it worked!  

    I don't know what fancy name Apple gave PPD file (i.e, printer driver for Windows), but you cannot print without giving your system the right instruction to access the HW. Reply

    From Anonymous, 15:45 Dec 12, 2007 (score=3)

    Setup: Dell Lat D600 & D540 (both dual-boot Ubuntu/Win XP), Netopia 2247NWG Modem/Router (wireless from computers to router), HP DeskJet 842C & HP LaserJet 1012 - WGPS606 connected to router via ethernet cable (also works wirelessly). Used the CD and Win XP to configure the print server (ip=192.168.1.102), then logged into print server with Ubuntu/Firefox.  Tested access with wireless, then turned it off and used ethernet. Used method given here to set up CUPS & the printers.  Works flawlessly!  Plus, both printers can print multiple copies of documents from OpenOffice.

    Many thanks!! Reply

    From andya, 11:06 Nov 19, 2007 (score=3)

    Well done nconantj. I'm a Linux newbie using Xubuntu 7.10 as a means of reusing old boxes. If anyone else who's new to Linux is trying to integrate Linux into a Win-based wireless printing environment, don't give up. These instructions need following rigidly, but they will get you there. I'm running an Xubuntu box (Gutenprint driver) and 2 WinXP boxes wirelessly to an Epson 880C on the WGPS606 with no glitches. Many, many thanks from a non-technie. Reply

    From bordr415, 23:53 Dec 13, 2006 (score=3)

    I am running almost the same setup... openSUSE 10.2 & WGPS606 (x3) & HP LaserJet 1012 (x2) & HP LaserJet 3030 (x2) & HP LaserJet 3055 (x2) &

    I couldn't get any of the 1012's to work. I tried over 147 different possible combination before i came across your solution... Worked like a charm... A++

    Thanx again...

    Dave Reply

    From dkl01, 01:49 Nov 07, 2006 (score=3)

    Good article, saved lots of heartache on FC6 and opensuse. Thanks Reply

    From turtles, 08:22 Feb 07, 2006 (score=3)

    This how to works on a Netgear FM114P Print server. Thank you I have been looking for this how to for years! EDIT Note however that if you turn the printer off for a wile than on again you have to unplug the firewall and plug it back in :9 Reply

    From kfarah, 10:42 Nov 01, 2005 (score=3)

    Very nice!  I was hoping to find something like this!

    Some additional notes for Ubuntu Linux users (I am using Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Bradger).  I installed using the above directions with the following slight modifications.

    4.1 - http://localhost:631 has been disabled in Ubuntu for security reasons.  Instead go to Systems -> Administration -> Printing

    4.2 - Click New Printer.

    4.3 - Select Newtork Printer

    4.4 - Select UNIX Printer (LPD)

    4.5 - For "Host:" fill in the IP address of your Print Server (for example: 192.168.110.104)

    4.6 - For "Queue:" fill in either L1 or L2 (depending on which USB port the printer is on)

    4.7 - Click Forward and select printer from list (For Example:  HP OfficeJet 6200)

    This worked perfectly for my desktop machine.  I did the same thing for my laptop running Ubuntu Linux (very old laptop) but the Print Queue on the laptop linux box never empties after the pages are print.  Not sure how or why this is happening, but manually clearing the queue after printing is my current work-around. Reply

    From ukfrewir, 14:04 Sep 20, 2006 (score=3)

    Spot on for 6.06 LTS - cheers. Reply

    From jay02, 16:25 Dec 20, 2006 (score=3)

    Hi i'm trying to set up my WGPS606 with my Ibook and i was wondering what root is and what root's password is?

    Is the the IP root or something else?

    Any help would be great, cheers jay Reply

    From nconantj, 18:59 Dec 20, 2006 (score=3)

    I'm not going to answer your question just yet.  I just made a modification to this Mini HOWTO.  I added an instruction set for Mac OSX Tiger (10.4).  If you are using an older version of OSX, the new instruction set should work, and if it does, please post back what version of OSX you are using.

    Thanks. Reply

    From jay02, 04:08 Dec 21, 2006 (score=3)

    Thank you for you help. I'm using tiger 10.4.8 How do i get to these HOWTO pages - i'm a bit new this whole having to set everything up stuff - normally my mac just seems to work with most things.

    cheers Jay Reply

    From cmdoyle, 20:02 Jun 20, 2009 (score=3)

    You still didn't answer the question - what's "root" and "root's password" mean? Reply

    From nconantj, 04:53 Jun 21, 2009 (score=3)

    In this HOWTO, I made the assumption that everyone looking at it is a Linux administrator. 

    As a reminder, the user: root, is just that... 'root'.  Root's password would be whatever the system administrator most recently set it to.  On a Mac, there is no need to log in as the root user, since it goes through the "Print and Fax" preference pane. 

    The web page you're going to in the main instructions is the CUPS configuration page on your local Linux machine.  You may be able to add the printer by using your log in information, but then it would only be available to you and no other user on the system. Reply

    From nconantj, 04:17 Dec 21, 2006 (score=3)

    This article is my Mini HOWTO.  Unfortunately, the OSX Tiger section (it'll be Note 3) won't show up for a couple of days, since the moderators must review the content.  I'll be away from computers starting tomorrow afternoon and going through January 3, 2007.  If it doesn't show up by then, I'll post it on another website and provide a link. Reply