Connecting Mac OS X to your Windows printers using LPD/LPR

There are many users of Mac PCs that are shared on the same network, and typically they share different resources like printers. But sometimes a computer run by  Mac OS X does not work and connect on Windows machine. Fixing this might be a little bit tricky but worth it.

Use Line Printer Daemon (LPD) protocol for printing to the computer run by Windows OS. But first let us take some reviews about the difference between LPR and LPD.

Difference between LPD and LPR

Line Printer Daemon (LPD)/Line Printer Remote (LPR) are printer protocols that use TCP/IP to be able to create connections between printing machines and workstations that uses different operating systems on a single network. LPD software is commonly stored in the operating system of the printer or server, while the LPR must be in the users device. LPR acts like a remote that sends the documents or other data that will be printed out to the IP address of the LPD server or printer.

In default, Windows (XP) does not have the support for sharing printers via LPD, we will need to install the software first.

• Go to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs
• Click Add/Remove Windows components section.
• Click Other Network File and Print Services > Details.
• Choose Print Services for Unix > OK.

By confirming that you want to install the software, you can now easily follow any onscreen instructions to finish the task. After setting it up, you are allowed to share using LPD in the Windows system. Now, we are going to configure your Mac PC to connect on the Windows machine:

• You need to open the Print & Scan system preferences, then add a new printer.
• Choose IP > Line Printer Daemon - LPD.
• Input the IP address of the windows computer on the Address box/section.
• For Queue name, make it the same as the Windows printer name.
• If it is detected, then click on "Select Printer Software" and find the driver that is right for your printer model.
• Select Add button to add and save the printer queue settings.

Now, your Mac PC can print to the Windows PC using the LPD protocol.

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Denise Rasalan
Owner, Great Prints Solutions

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