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Configuring Direct IP Printers in ScrewDrivers v7

Overview​

Direct IP printers in ScrewDrivers v7 allow you to configure network printers that connect directly via TCP/IP without relying on Windows Print Server infrastructure. This approach provides several benefits:

  • Simplified architecture: Eliminate the need for dedicated print servers in some scenarios
  • Reduced latency: Direct connection between session hosts and network printers
  • Load distribution: Spread print job processing across session hosts instead of centralizing on print servers
  • Flexibility: Mix Direct IP and Print Server printers based on your needs

This guide covers the complete process of configuring Direct IP printers, from importing drivers to assigning printers to users.

Prerequisites​

Before configuring Direct IP printers, you need:

  • ScrewDrivers Printer Discovery installed on a system with print drivers
  • Network access from session hosts to printer IP addresses
  • Print drivers installed on the Driver Repository system
  • ScrewDrivers Administration console access
  • Printer IP addresses for all network printers you want to configure

Step 1: Import Printer Drivers​

Direct IP printers require drivers to be imported into the ScrewDrivers database so they can be deployed to session hosts where printers will be created.

Open ScrewDrivers Printer Discovery​

Launch the ScrewDrivers Printer Discovery application on your Driver Repository system (the server where print drivers are installed).

Import Drivers​

  1. Navigate to the Drivers tab
  2. Click the Import button

The Import Drivers dialog appears, showing all locally installed print drivers.

Select Drivers to Import​

You have two options:

Option 1: Import All Drivers

  • Click Select All to import every installed print driver
  • Useful for initial setup or comprehensive driver repositories

Option 2: Select Specific Drivers

  • Individually check the drivers you need for your Direct IP printers
  • More efficient if you only use certain printer models
  • Reduces database size and deployment overhead

After selecting drivers, click Add Drivers.

Verify Driver Import​

All imported drivers now appear in the Drivers tab of the Printer Discovery application.

These drivers are stored in the ScrewDrivers database and can be deployed to session hosts as needed.

Driver Management

Regularly review and update your imported drivers. When you update printer drivers on the Driver Repository system, re-import them to ensure session hosts receive the latest versions.

Step 2: Create Direct IP Printers​

With drivers imported, you can now create Direct IP printer objects in the ScrewDrivers Administration console.

Open ScrewDrivers Administration​

Launch the ScrewDrivers Administration application and navigate to the Direct IP Printers section.

Add New Direct IP Printer​

Right-click in the Direct IP Printers section and select New Direct IP Printer.

Configure Printer Properties​

In the New Direct IP Printer dialog:

  1. Name: Enter the display name for this printer

    • This is what users will see in their printer list
    • Use clear, descriptive names (e.g., "Floor2-HP-LaserJet-4250")

  2. IP Address: Enter the network printer's IP address

    • Must be accessible from all session hosts
    • Can be an IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
    • Verify connectivity before saving

  3. Click Add to create the printer

DNS Names

While the dialog shows "IP Address", you can typically use DNS hostnames as well. However, IP addresses are recommended for reliability and performance.

Verify Printer Creation​

The new Direct IP printer appears in the ScrewDrivers Administration console.

At this point, the printer exists in the database but doesn't yet have a driver assigned.

Step 3: Assign Driver to Direct IP Printer​

Every Direct IP printer must have a driver assignment before it can be used.

Select the Printer​

Click on the newly created Direct IP printer in the console to select it.

Go to the Information column or tab for the selected printer.

Assign Driver​

  1. Locate the Driver dropdown menu

  2. Select the appropriate printer driver from the list

    • This list contains all drivers you imported in Step 1
    • Choose the driver that matches your physical printer model

  3. Click Save to apply the driver assignment

Driver Selection

Choose the driver that best matches your printer model. If an exact match isn't available:

  • Use the manufacturer's universal driver (e.g., HP Universal Printing PCL 6)
  • Select a driver for a similar model in the same product line
  • Test thoroughly before deploying to users

Printer Ready for Assignment​

The Direct IP printer is now fully configured and ready to be assigned to users, groups, or organizational units through the ScrewDrivers Administration console.

Step 4: Assign Printers to Users​

With the Direct IP printer configured, assign it to users through standard ScrewDrivers assignment methods:

Assignment Methods​

Active Directory Groups:

  • Assign printers to AD security groups
  • Users inherit printer assignments based on group membership
  • Easiest for large-scale deployments

Organizational Units (OUs):

  • Assign printers to entire OUs
  • All users in the OU receive the printer
  • Useful for location-based assignments

Individual Users:

  • Assign printers directly to specific user accounts
  • Provides granular control
  • Best for exceptions or specialized users

Custom Owners:

  • Create custom assignment logic
  • Combine multiple criteria (location, department, etc.)
  • Most flexible but requires more configuration
Assignment Priority

If a user has multiple assignment sources (OU, group, individual), ScrewDrivers applies all assignments and creates all printers. Use exclusion rules if you need to prevent specific printers from appearing.

Advanced Configuration​

Port Configuration​

By default, Direct IP printers use Standard TCP/IP Port (9100). If your printer requires a different port:

  1. Select the Direct IP printer in the Administration console
  2. Navigate to advanced settings or port configuration
  3. Specify the custom port number
  4. Common alternatives include LPR (515) or IPP (631)

Driver Profiles​

Apply printer profiles to Direct IP printers just like Print Server printers:

  1. Create profiles in ScrewDrivers Printer Discovery (see Printer Profiles Configuration)
  2. Assign profiles to Direct IP printers or to users/groups
  3. Profiles set default duplex, color mode, paper size, etc.

Printer Properties​

Configure additional Direct IP printer properties:

  • Priority: Set printer priority for load balancing
  • Location: Specify physical location for user reference
  • Description: Add details about printer capabilities
  • Permissions: Control which users can access the printer

Deployment Considerations​

Network Requirements​

Ensure network connectivity between session hosts and Direct IP printers:

  • Firewall rules: Allow traffic on printer ports (typically 9100)
  • VLANs: Configure routing if printers are on different VLANs than session hosts
  • QoS: Consider Quality of Service for print traffic
  • Monitoring: Implement network monitoring to detect printer connectivity issues

Driver Deployment​

When users log in and Direct IP printers are created:

  1. ScrewDrivers checks if the assigned driver is installed on the session host
  2. If not, the driver is automatically deployed from the database
  3. The printer is created using the deployed driver
  4. Print jobs route directly from the session host to the printer IP address

Performance Optimization​

For optimal Direct IP printer performance:

  • Driver selection: Use efficient drivers (PCL or PostScript typically perform better than GDI)
  • Network placement: Locate printers on the same subnet as session hosts when possible
  • Load balancing: Distribute Direct IP printers across multiple physical devices
  • Monitoring: Track printer queue lengths and job processing times

Troubleshooting​

Printer Not Appearing for Users​

Possible causes:

  • Printer assignment not saved or not applied to the user
  • User not member of assigned AD group
  • Exclusion rule preventing printer creation
  • Driver not successfully imported into database

Solutions:

  • Verify assignment in ScrewDrivers Administration
  • Check AD group membership
  • Review exclusion rules
  • Re-import the driver

Possible causes:

  • Network connectivity issue between session host and printer
  • Incorrect IP address configured
  • Firewall blocking printer port
  • Printer offline or in error state

Solutions:

  • Test network connectivity: Test-NetConnection -ComputerName <printer-IP> -Port 9100
  • Verify IP address is correct and accessible
  • Check firewall rules on session hosts
  • Verify printer status on the physical device

Driver Deployment Fails​

Possible causes:

  • Driver not compatible with session host OS
  • Insufficient permissions for driver installation
  • Corrupted driver in database
  • Conflicting driver already installed

Solutions:

  • Verify driver OS compatibility (x64 vs x86, Windows version)
  • Check ScrewDrivers service account permissions
  • Re-import the driver from Printer Discovery
  • Remove conflicting drivers from session hosts

Slow Printer Creation​

Possible causes:

  • Large driver package size
  • Network latency to printer
  • Slow driver deployment from database
  • Many printers being created simultaneously

Solutions:

  • Use more efficient driver packages (PCL vs GDI)
  • Optimize network performance to printers
  • Pre-deploy commonly used drivers to session hosts
  • Stagger user logons to reduce peak load

Direct IP vs. Print Server​

Understanding when to use each approach:

Use Direct IP Printers When:​

  • You have reliable network infrastructure with printers on accessible VLANs
  • You want to eliminate print server infrastructure
  • Session hosts have sufficient resources for driver-based rendering
  • You need to distribute print job processing across many session hosts
  • Printers support modern network printing protocols (9100, LPR, IPP)

Use Print Server Printers When:​

  • You have existing print server infrastructure
  • Centralized print queue management is required
  • Printers require advanced configuration or management
  • You need centralized printer monitoring and alerting
  • Network segmentation prevents direct session host to printer access
  • Legacy printers require specialized print server features

Hybrid Approach​

Many organizations use both:

  • Direct IP for modern network printers in well-connected locations
  • Print Server for legacy printers, specialized devices, or centralized management

Best Practices​

  1. Naming convention: Use consistent, descriptive names that include location and model information
  2. IP address management: Document all Direct IP printer addresses and reserve them in DHCP
  3. Driver testing: Test drivers thoroughly before large-scale deployment
  4. Regular updates: Keep drivers updated by periodically re-importing from Printer Discovery
  5. Monitoring: Implement monitoring for printer availability and job processing
  6. Documentation: Maintain documentation of printer assignments and configurations
  7. Backup: Regularly back up ScrewDrivers database including driver repository
  8. Profiles: Use printer profiles to enforce organizational printing policies