multiple usb printers, same device uri

[Alex Chejlyk]

This is how I tackled my problem:

Scenario: 3 Epson R1800 Stylus Photo Printers, each laoded with different media. (11x17, glossy, plain paper)

Problem: Jobs would go to whichever printer was available. Seemingly random choices. Printers were acting as a pool, but we were seeking individuality due to the different media types.

Solution:
Add 2 ethernet adapters to CUPS print server. Eth0 network subnet is 192.168.0.x
Printer #1 connected via USB.

Printer #2, connected to HP EN3700 usb print server. HP EN3700 connected to eth1. Network subnet for eth1 is 192.168.5.x, eth1 address is 192.168.5.10, USB print server address is 192.168.5.100

Printer #3, connected to Buffalo usb print server. Buffalo connected to eth2. Network subnet for eth2 is 192.168.6.x, eth2 address is 192.168.10.10, USB print server address is 192.168.10.100

CUPS connects to these printers via
JetDirect socket://192.168.5.100:9100
and
LPD/LPR lpd://192.168.10.100/P1

Basically that is it. We haven't had any usb printer lockups yet, if we do I will throttle the data being sent to them via the ethernet adapters.

Cheers,

Alex C.