Network printers / PDF / netcat

[John Sica]

I know I'm late to the topic, but this works for me (requires gs, but is 
usually already installed on most systems).  I've been using it for 
about 5yrs.

If anyone has an easier way to do this, I'd like to know.
==========================================================

If you type this command from the command line, it will convert a
pdf document (simple.pdf), and it will create a pcl
document in the location specified by -sOutputFile=

gs -sDEVICE=ljet4 -q -dNOPAUSE -dSAFER -sOutputFile=/tmp/simple.pcl
/simple.pdf -c quit

You should then be able to print the file to a standard laserjet.

cat /tmp/simple.pcl | netcat -d -h"printer-ip-address" -p9100


John


On 5/28/2012 7:39 AM, Bob Rasmussen wrote:
> Ken,
>
> I have an HP Color Laserjet C3505, and formerly had a 4550. One of them
> (can't remember now) had built-in PDF printing. I recall testing it once,
> and it worked. I don't recall whether I tested it from Windows, Unix, or
> Linux, but in theory it shouldn't matter.
>
> I'd be happy to test it for you, though not today.
>
> HP's network interfaces support both netcat-style port 9100 connections
> and LPR/LPD connections. From Unix or Linux, you could use netcat or
> define it as a remote printer and use the lp system.
>
> > From Windows, you a) copy file to UNC name; b) use Print Wizard in spooler
> mode; c) use the lp command (which you might need to install); or d) copy
> to an LPT port to what you had assigned a NET USE. Probably more ways.
>
> On Sun, 27 May 2012, Kenneth Brody wrote:
>
>> On 5/25/2012 1:30 PM, Kenneth Brody wrote:
>>> Does anyone here on the list have one of those network printers that
>>> supports PDF files directly?  Are you able to print a PDF file by simply
>>> using netcat?
>> Thank you for the replies, both on- and off-list.
>>
>> I have found a few manuals for such printers which show how to use ftp to
>> print a PDF file.  They also have some with Windows' command prompt
>> examples, where you just "copy /b filename.pdf \\server\printer".  I didn't
>> see any "netcat" examples, but I believe I have enough information to go on
>> at this point, and move forward.
>>
>> Unless, of course, someone wants to ship me a printer to try things out with
>> for myself.  (No guarantee as to when it might be returned.)  :-)
>>
>> -- 
>> Kenneth Brody
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> Regards,
> ....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.
>
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