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Users are not prompted for a Client/Project or Authentication when using User or Client Billing Authentication

Issue

When setting up the Client Billing and Authentication version of Print Manager Plus, a variety of setup and network issues can sometimes lead to this module not appearing. Below are steps to resolve this.

Solution

There are several solutions depending on what issues you are encountering. Please see the appropriate section.



The Workstations do not get prompted for Authentication:


  1. Ensure Authenticaton Module is Installed:
    In order for User workstations to recieve Billing or Authentication prompts they must first have the Authentication Module installed on their workstation.


    Windows Authentication Module Windows 2000/XP/Vista/2003/2008
    http://downloads.softwareshelf.com/products/PMP2008/PMP_AuthenticationModule.MSI


    Macintosh OSX Authentication Module MacOSX 10.1 and later:
    http://downloads.softwareshelf.com/products/PMP2008/AuthenticationModuleMacOSX.zip


  2. Verify Configuration:
    The following steps run through basic settings to ensure the software is configured correctly.

    • Ensure that Print tracking is Enabled: Open the Print Manager Plus administrator, and on the Printers tab, double click on the Printer you wish to track. Select the Advanced Attributes tab and set the printer to Advanced Counting Engines. Once done stop and restart the Print Manager Plus service on the Print Servers tab.

    • Check that Authentication is Enabled. This is also done on the Printers tab, select the printer you wish to track and open its proprties. On the Authentication tab select the type of Authentication you wish to use.

      Most commonly Client Billing Print Job Verification Only is selected for billing by client account, and Authentication by Username and Password is selected for user authentication.

    • Verify Client Accounts and/or Passwords:

      Client Billing Authentication: In order to bill by client account, there must be at least one client account added under the Client Billing tab. To do this, click the Create new Account on the left hand side, a dialog will appear allowing you to name your client accounts.

      Username and Password Authentication: For authentication by username and password, at least one Username and Password must be setup on the Users< tab. To create an account, click the Create a custom user on the left hand side. Type in a Username and Password and click OK. You may also double click existing users, and assign them a printing password on the Password tab.



  3. Firewall Issues:
    Local Firewalls on the Workstation and Print Server can prevent Print Manager Plus Authentication from functioning. The below steps outline how to

      The following steps run through basic settings to ensure the software is configured correctly.
    • To get authentication working you need to allow ports TCP:48100 and TCP:48101 on both the Print Server and the workstations that are running a firewall. See below steps for allowing these on the Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server operating systems.

      1. Open Windows Firewall within Control Panel
      2. If the firewall shows that it is turned on, continue with the below steps.
      3. Once open, click on the Exceptions tab.
      4. Within exceptions, click the Add button. Select TCP, and enter in Port 48100, name this PMP1 and click OK.
      5. Repeat the above step, but select TCP, and enter in Port 48101, Name this PMP2 and click OK.
      6. Ensure these steps are done on the server, and workstations if they are running a firewall.




  4. Other Issues and Solutions:
    Below are a few less common issues and their solutions.