Wireless/AirPrint printing from iOS and android devices

[johnshaw]

That's why you connect the library printer to the network.

[drepouille]

I connected the library printer/copier to the network in every meetinghouse that had an Ethernet jack in the library when I was the STS. However, I had a hard time explaining to the members of those units how to use it. Then again, it really was not a high priority for them or for me.

[johnshaw]

We're not big fans of logistics in the church, it's a lost art. How the building works, here is where everything is, here is what the correct use of the kitchen is, here is how the network works and what you can do. Here's what's in the Library - Hey look, the sound system in the meetinghouse is incredibly useful, could we please stop holding a microphone against a laptop/boombox speaker... can you even imaging a Ward Council suggesting something like this for a 5th Sunday. Yet alone, anyone in the ward caring about it? If it's not my calling I don't want to know about it - If I do have a calling where I need to have a audio/video presentation, I'll show up with 5 minutes of preparation and use my own singular knowledge for the experience. Hey look everyone, I'm holding up my PowerMac above my head so everyone can see the picture... I know the sound is being drowned out by the fact that we're in the Cultural Hall, but look isn't it great that I showed a Mormon Message?

[scgallafent]

Also, one other thing to consider is to train bishoprics and clerks to communicate clearly with each other about use of the printer. It won't happen often, I hope, but it seems possible that a check could be spoiled and need to be voided if a financial clerk is in the middle of a print job from MLS at the same time a counselor in a separate interview room sends a recommend to be printed.

It's entirely possible that may have happened in our ward. I only print when I can see the printer.

[russellhltn]

That's why you connect the library printer to the network.

You have the same problem of not being able to filter what and how much of something is printed. I've been in wards where they tried to rein in copier costs.

[jschaub]

Our facilities group has not updated our clerks office with airprint capable printers, so I'm trying to figure out a solution (on the cheap).

I was able to connect our HP Laserjet printer via USB to a Raspberry Pi running CUPS. I added authentication so that when you click on the printer in airPrint, it prompts you for a username/password (this gets cached so you only have to enter it once). This should prevent a random printing free-for-all from anyone connected on LDSAccess. AirPrint is now working great from iOS devices, and my macbook can see and use the shared printer as well.

I cannot however get our clerk's Windows 10 computer to print to it. I tried setting it up as an IPP printer using this blog post link.

The printer shows up as added in my Windows Printer's, I can select a driver for it but no joy when printing to it. I don't get any error messages, just nothing happens. CUPS log indicates no attempts from the Windows 10 PC. I assume the failure is caused by the Sophos firewall, and I'd like to open up some ports. Are there specific church-wide guidelines on the Sophos firewall, or is it up to our stake technology specialist?

[russellhltn]

Are there specific church-wide guidelines on the Sophos firewall, or is it up to our stake technology specialist?

The only thing I can find is in the Sophos page: "If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Global Service Center."

I'm not sure as the church is going to be accepting of anyone changing the values from default.

[rl_albright]

Interesting topic, a LOT of great information. Thank you. So my stake presidency just asked for a printer to be placed in the stake president's office whose SOLE purpose is for printing from their tablets via Airprint. (This device would be privately purchased). I am trying to decide if it is better to hard-wire it, put it on LDSAccess, or add another AP to the network for their use. (As I regularly shut off wifi for certain events due to conserve bandwidth for streaming, and they have meetings during these events at times [family discovery day, stake conferences, special performances, etc]). I have not decided on a printer yet, but they do not want it to be BIG.

As of right now, I do have 2 additional access points on the network that are separate from the church's wifi (with SSID LDSTech), but they ARE behind the church's firewall. The reason I have the secondary network, is we have cameras that we use for stake conference that WILL NOT work with the church's network (They lock up after 5 minutes, go figure.) The access to this SSID is restricted to a handful of people that are directly related to STS functions within the stake. It would not be any trouble to add an additional SSID and AP for the stake offices that was hidden (such as SSID LDSStakeOffice) and restrict it to the stake presidency/high council.

Thoughts?

[johnshaw]

That's why you connect the library printer to the network.

You have the same problem of not being able to filter what and how much of something is printed. I've been in wards where they tried to rein in copier costs.

It's not any different a problem than using the copier directly.

[russellhltn]

I've been in wards where they tried to rein in copier costs.

It's not any different a problem than using the copier directly.

Except you can block physical access or otherwise prevent the copier from being used before the copies are made. With a unsecured wireless connection, you can only block access after the fact.