Q > (Server and client) Can I log printers on another computer/server?
A > Yes - see the configuration section in this manual for details.
Q > (Server and client) Can I log print jobs going direct to a printer (ie: not via a server share) eg: via DLC, Appletalk or LPR.
A > Yes - you need to run a seperate copy of the logger client on each computer connected to the printer - see the configuration section in this manual for details.
Q> (Client) I have just upgraded to Printer Squirrel 2.30 or above from Printer Squirrel 2.26 or below and no print job logs are no longer being received by the logging server.
A> We have changed the way in which the logging clients talk to the logging servers to get around the problem of contact sometimes being lost if services were restarted.
If you find that after this upgrade, logs are no longer being received by the logging server you will need to:
On the logging client(s), edit each printer and select your logging server again from the 'send logs to' dropdown list. (you will probably find that your logging server name has changed from something like 'spiff2' to 'spiff') You will only need to do this once.
Restart the logging client service when all printers are redirected.
Q> (Server and client) I have many printers to log, how many Printer Squirrel licenses do I need?
A> The Printer Squirrel license is is based on a per server seat model. This means that for every license you can have one logging server and as many logging clients as you like. If you plan to use more than one logging server you need to purchase additional licenses.
Q > (Server) Sometimes I get zero pages returned.
A > If the print job does not have page delimiting information included, the print spooler cannot return a page count. Raw text files often suffer from this problem. Also, some older Windows98 and below printer drivers do not return page information.
Q > (Server) Some of the information (eg: page size, duplex modes) is not being recorded.
A > The amount of data returned is the responsibility of the printer driver which is often written by the printer manufacturer, and some information may not be returned. An updated printer driver may solve the problem.
Q> (Server and client) How can I log a printer across the internet?
A> Whilst logging printers across the internet is possible, there are some things that will probably need to be done to allow the logs to be transferred.
1: If possible use a VPN (Virtual private networks) connection. This is almost guaranteed to work.
2: If VPN is not possible here are the rules.
Log Traffic will NOT pass through proxy servers.
Firewalls/routers need to be configured to have ports 2326 - 2328 and 2376 and 2378 open. Your network administrator will probably only want to open ports for a specific fixed IP address, so your logging client machines address will need to be static.
Timing may be an issue. The logging client needs a list of available virtual printers to send logs to, if the internet link is too slow the logging client may time out before receiving this list.
Q> (Server and client) I am getting access denied errors and the printer is not logging. (This usually only apples to printers listed as 'Network' in the logging client)
A>The reasons for this are: Because the logging client starts as a service, it is logged on with the local machine account which should have administrator rights to local printers. However if you are trying to log network printers remotely the local machine account is unlikely to have administrator rights to the printer and so cannot perform logging).
To rectify this, run the go to File/ Service manager. In the service manager select the printer logging client and click on the ' log on' tab. Enter an account that has administrator rights to the printer you wish to log, in the form domain\username, then enter a password. Remember that if the account password is changed you will have to change it here again or you will lose logging access rights.
A second alternative is to give full administrative rights to everyone for the printer. It depends on how much you trust your users if this is an option.
Q> (Server and client) I am getting service errors and no logs are being recorded.
A>The client and server services should have been installed and run on program installation. If they were not you will get service errors. To rectify this - run the files:
Server - pssvc.exe /iss Installs and starts the server service
- pssvc.exe /is Installs the server service
- pssvc.exe /rs Removes the server service
Client - plsvc.exe /iss Installs and starts the client service
- plsvc.exe /is Installs the client service
- plsvc.exe /rs Removes the client service
Q> (Server and Client) I cannot see any servers/virtual printers in the 'send logs to' dropdown list and/or logs are not being received by the logging server.
A>All Firewalls (including local machine firewalls and port blockers) and routers need to be configured to have ports 2326 - 2328 and 2376 and 2378open. As all firewalls are different we cannot advise on how to do this, but we usually disable all firewalls in the logging path initially to see if this fixes the problem, then start the firewalls again with the relevant ports opened.
Q> How can I log a printer that is not on my LAN, ie: It is on the Wide area network.
A> You will need to tell the client to specifically look for the logging server that is outside the LAN. In the client configuration utility go to Tools/Add remote servers, and enter the servers name or IP address.
