# Setting Up a Network Printer

You can install a network printer directly into Windows.

Before installing a network printer in Windows, make sure that:

* Your Mac can access the Internet.
* Windows is configured to work in either the [Shared networking mode](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/v20-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-20-users-guide/use-windows-on-your-mac/connecting-to-the-internet-or-a-network/sharing-network-access-between-macos-and-windows) or [Bridged networking mode](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/v20-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-20-users-guide/use-windows-on-your-mac/connecting-to-the-internet-or-a-network/applying-separate-network-settings-to-windows) and can access the Internet too.
* The user account in Windows has permission to access the network printer.
* You know the printer's IP address.

After that, you can log in to Windows and install a network printer.

### In Windows

Before adding a network printer in Windows, download and install an appropriate printer driver. For detailed information on installing the printer driver, refer to the printer manufacturer documentation.

To add a network printer in Windows 11:

1. Make sure your network printer is powered on and connected to your network via an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Open the Windows **Start** menu and select **Settings** > **Bluetooth & devices**.
3. Select **Printers & scanners** > **Add a printer or scanner** and click **Add device**.
4. Windows will scan the available network for printers. In most cases, this will result in Windows automatically discovering your printer. Select **Add device**.
5. Should Windows fail to complete the process automatically, do the following:
   1. Choose the **Add manually** option.
   2. Select the **Add a printer using an IP address or hostname** option and click **Next**.
   3. Under **Device type**, select the **IPP Device** option, which covers most TCP/IP-based network printers. Type in the IP address in the **Hostname or IP address** field. Click **Next**.
   4. When ready, click **Next**.

Your printer is now installed and ready to print.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**: If you are running an older version of Windows, check Microsoft's [Support Center](https://support.microsoft.com/) for the information specific to your Windows version.
{% endhint %}

### In Linux

The procedure of setting up a network printer in a Linux or FreeBSD guest operating system depends on the Linux or FreeBSD distribution and printer. In this example, we describe how to set up a network printer in a virtual machine running RHEL 5.4 Server. However, you can use these guidelines as general instructions on how to set up a network printer in a Linux or FreeBSD virtual machine.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** For more detailed information, refer to the CUPS documentation.
{% endhint %}

To set up a network printer:

1. Start the virtual machine.
2. Make sure the following components are installed in the guest operating system:
   * Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS). Installation instructions can be found at [CUPS site](http://cups.org/documentation.php);
   * Samba service. Installation instructions can be found at [Samba site](http://us4.samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-HOWTO-Collection/install.html); and
   * A Web browser, since we consider controlling CUPS via web interface.\
     [**Note:** To set up a network printer, you should have `root` privileges.](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]
3. Download and install an appropriate printer driver. For detailed information on installing the printer driver, refer to the printer manufacturer's documentation.
4. Start Common UNIX Printing System. In the Terminal, type the command:

   /etc/init.d/cups start
5. Start a web browser and type either the IP address of your virtual machine or `http://127.0.0.1:631`.
6. Click the **Add Printer** button.
7. In the **Add New Printer** window, specify a printer name. Under this name the printer will be displayed in the guest operating system. You can also enter the printer description and location. When ready, click **Forward**.
8. In the **Device for \<Printer Name>** window, select **AppSocket/HP JetDirect** and click **Continue**.
9. In the **Device URI for \<Printer Name>** window, specify the printer IP address in the following format:

   `socket://<printer IP address>`

   When ready, click **Continue**.
10. In the **Make/Manufacturer for \<Printer Name>** window, select the manufacturer of your printer and click **Continue**.
11. In the **Model/Driver for \<Printer Name>** window, select the model of your printer and click **Add Printer**.
12. Enter the `root` password when prompted.

CUPS performs the installation. If the installation is successful, the "`Printer <name> has been configured successfully`" message is displayed. Now you can use this printer to print documents from the virtual machine.

[^1]: