[PLUG] Printing from Virtual Box

[King Beowulf]

On 10/08/2017 08:38 AM, Denis Heidtmann wrote:
> On my laptop, I have VB in Ubuntu 16.04 running Windows 2000.  Before I
> changed my desktop computer and wireless router I could print from 2000.
> The printer is connected to the desktop via USB.  The printer is also
> connected wirelessly to the new wireless Comcast Modem/router.  I can print
> from Ubuntu on the laptop.
> 
> The long dialogue below is my attempt to show what I have tried to restore
> the printing capability to the windows guest.  I hope that someone here
> might be able to direct me along the path to success.
> 
> Thanks,
> -Denis
> 

To print via a host printer in VirtualBox you need to:

1.  Tell VB to passthrough the host USB port the printer is connected
to.  Then you can "Add printers" in Windows.  Be aware that Windows may
'recognize' the printer as an unknown device until you install the
appropriate printer drivers inside the Windows guest.  The Windows guest
knows absolutely nothing about Linux host and CUPS/HPLIP drivers.

2. Before the Windows guest can see the network printers, you need to
have the virtual NIC attached to the same network IP subnet as the host.
Normally, Bridged networking will do that but you must check advanced
settings to make sure the IP address assignment is correct and that
guest NAT and/or DHCP is not enabled.  Note: If you are bridging to a
host wireless adaptor you will needs to turn off/deny promiscuous mode.

If you are trying to get network printing working, and the virtual
network bringing is correct, in a Windows command window, type "ipconfig
/all" and compare the output to your host. Again, if you are not on the
same subnet you the Windows guest won't see any network printers.

Anyway, I'm a bit rusty with VB since I moved to qemu.

-Ed