A user can use the socat command to interact with a USB printer connected to the USB port of a Digi device.
Below you can find an example of the socat command, which starts a service on port TCP 9100 and pass a print task to the USB device.
Open the webUI of the DAL device and, navigate to Device Configuration > System > Scheduled tasks > Custom scripts, click the + sign next to Add Script and then enter the following command in the Commands area of this script:
socat -u TCP-LISTEN:9100,fork,reuseaddr OPEN:/dev/usb/lp0
Screenshot showing the full configuration of the newly-created "USB_Printer_Server" custom script:
Click Apply after configuring the new custom script.
Since communication will be achieved by the IP address of the router, a custom firewall rule must be added. Navigate to Device Configuration > Firewall > Custom rules and configure the Custom rules as follows:
iptables -I INPUT -p tcp --dport 9100 -j ACCEPT
- Open the Printers & scanners page on your Microsoft Windows PC. Click the Add a printer or scanner button and wait until the note "The printer that I want isn't listed" appears; click it.
- In the following window choose TCP/IP address option and click Next.
- Select Device type: TCP/IP Device, enter the router's LAN IP address and port name.
- In the next window, select Device Type: Standard, find and select your printer's manufacturer from the dropdown
- Select your printer from the list.
- Next, the PC will look printer drivers. If the drivers for your printer have been installed prior, you can choose the option to replace them or use the currently installed drivers.
- In the next two windows you will be asked you to enter a custom name for the printer and set up sharing rights.
Last updated:
Aug 19, 2026