1 Introduction

Xerox print servers provide a flexible and high performance front-end for printing hardware, such as printers and presses. From a common workflow, users have the power to manage print jobs, queues, and resources across varied printer environments. Colour management, secure printing, and more can be handled from a drag-and-drop graphical interface. Third party print management solutions can be load balanced when used with Xerox print servers.

The LoadMaster offers advanced Layer 4 and Layer 7 server load balancing, SSL Acceleration, and a multitude of other advanced Application Delivery and Optimization (ADC) features. The Kemp LoadMaster can load balance the Xerox print servers. The LoadMaster intelligently and efficiently distributes user traffic among the application servers so that users get the best experience possible.

This document provides guidance and recommended settings on how to load balance Xerox Print servers with a Kemp LoadMaster. The Kemp Support Team is available to provide solutions for scenarios not explicitly defined.

2 Template

Kemp has developed a template containing our recommended settings for this workload. You can install this template to help create Virtual Services (VSs) because it automatically populates the settings. You can use the template to easily create the required VSs with the recommended settings. For some workloads, additional manual steps may be required such as assigning a certificate or applying port following, these steps are covered in the document, if needed.

You can remove templates after use and this will not affect deployed services. If needed, you can make changes to any of the VS settings after using the template.

Download released templates from the following page: LoadMaster Templates.

For more information and steps on how to import and use templates, refer to the Virtual Services and Templates, Feature Description on the Kemp Documentation page.

3 Virtual Service - Xerox Print

Refer to the sections below for details on using the Kemp template or Application Programming Interface (API) parameters and values to configure the Virtual Service.

3.1 Using the Template

This step-by-step set up of the Virtual Service leverages the Kemp application template for Xerox print servers.

The table in the API Configuration section outlines the settings configured by the application template. You can use this information to manually configure the Virtual Service or use the Kemp LoadMaster Application Programming Interface (API) and automation tools.

To configure a Virtual Service using the application template, perform the following steps:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster User Interface (UI), go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Select Xerox Print in the Use Template drop-down list.

4. Click Add this Virtual Service.

5. In the left-hand navigation select View/Modify Services.

6. Click Modify on the Xerox Print Virtual Service on port TCP 445.

7. Expand the Real Servers section.

8. Click Add New.

9. Type the Real Server Address. (This is the Xerox print servers.)

10. Confirm that port 445 is entered.

11. Click Add This Real Server.

12. Repeat these steps to add more Real Servers as needed.

3.2 API Configuration

This table outlines the API parameters and values set using the Kemp application template. You can use these settings with scripts and automation tools.

API Parameter	API Value
port	445
prot	tcp
Schedule	lc

4 Registry Modifications

To enable the print servers to be accessed using a shared name (XeroxPrintService in the example Virtual Service in this guide), add the following registry entries to each print server:

KEY: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\CONTROL\LSA

VALUE: DISABLELOOPBACKCHECK

TYPE: REG_DWORD

DATA: 1

 

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters

Value: DisableStrictNameChecking

Type: REG_DWORD

Data: 1

 

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters

Value: OptionalNames

Type: REG_MULTI_SZ

Data: XeroxPrintService

 

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Registry Change

Key: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\DNSOneWire

Value: DnsOnWire

Type: REG_QWORD

Data: 1

In the example presented here, XeroxPrintService is the name that is used to access the load balanced print servers using the Virtual Service. This can be set to any name. Whatever name is used, it must resolve to the IP address of the Virtual IP address (VIP).

5 Configuring Name Resolution

For printer load balancing to work, DNS name resolution should be configured. A host name and corresponding A record for the Virtual Service should be created and should match the Virtual Service address.

6 Finalizing the Server Configuration

To finalize the print server configuration changes, each print server must be rebooted.

7 Testing the Load Balanced Print Service

The load-balanced print service can be tested either by browsing to the virtual service IP address or the share name. In the example presented in this document, this would be done by going to \\10.10.10.190 or \\XeroxPrintService. Any shared printers and shared folders that have been configured on the real print servers should be visible.

Last Updated Date

This document was last updated on 21 February 2022.