Implementing iPrint Using MS-DOS Commands

The following MS-DOS commands let you install iPrint printers without a Web browser and capture LPT ports to iPrint printers. These commands are useful when you have legacy applications that require output to an LPT port, or when you want to add printers through a login script.


Using Icapture.exe to Capture Printer Ports

Icapture.exe is an MS-DOS command line utility that lets you capture LPT ports and redirect the output to iPrint printers. The utility is installed when you install the iPrint Client, and it can be used at a MS-DOS window command line, called from a batch files, or called from a login script.

IMPORTANT:  Icapture.exe requires that the iPrint printer be installed before the command is run. You can install a printer from the MS-DOS window command line using iprntcmd.exe.

Use the following parameters when executing the icapture.exe command.

Parameter Description

LPTx or
L=x
where x is the port number

The port you want to capture.

P=printer_name

The name of the printer that appears in the Printers Folder after the iPrint printer is installed.

EndCap

Ends the capture to the specified port.

NOTE:  Captured ports remain captured, even through a workstation restart, until you end the capture.

Show

Displays the status of currently captured ports and their associated printers.

Syntax

ipaptureparameters

Examples

For example, to capture a printer named Printer1 to port number 2, you would enter either:

icapture l=2 p=printer1

or

icapture lpt2 p=printer1

To end the capture, you would enter either:

icapture endcap l=2

or

icapture endcap lpt2

Using Iprntcmd.exe to Install iPrint Printers

If you need to install an iPrint printer but cannot use a Web browser, you can use the iprntcmd.exe command at a MS-DOS prompt. This command can install, remove, or set a printer as the default printer. It is most often used in login scripts in conjunction with the icapture.exe command. Use the following parameters when executing the iprntcmd.exe command.

Parameter Description

add

Installs the specified printer.

default

Sets the specified printer as the default.

remove

Removes the specified printer.

temporary

Installs the specified printer for this session only. When the workstation is rebooted, the printer is removed.

Syntax

iprntcmd iprint_printer_url parameters

Examples

To install a printer named ColorPrinter1 and set it as the default printer, you would enter the following for nonsecure printing"

iprntcmd ipp://printing.mycompany.com/ipp/ColorPrinter1 /add /default
iprntcmd http://printing.mycompany.com:631/ipp/ColorPrinter1 /add /default

NOTE:  When using the http://, you need to specify the port number.

To install a printer named ColorPrinter1 and set it as the default printer, you would enter the following for secure printing:

iprntcmd https://printing.mycompany.com/ipps/ColorPrinter1 /add /default