How can I locally print from a Cisco VPN in Windows 10?


  1. Posts : 5,048
    Windows 10/11 Pro x64, Various Linux Builds, Networking, Storage, Cybersecurity Specialty.
       #1

    How can I locally print from a Cisco VPN in Windows 10?


    Hi all -

    I have a Cisco VPN and when it is connected, I can't print to any local (USB/Wireless) printer.

    Now, this all makes sense, but I am looking for a way to cheat this, rather than disconnecting from the VPN every time and having to print and reconnect to the VPN again. Same thing for Windows 7.

    Does Win 10 (with all it's granularity) have a way to do this?

    TIA :)
    Last edited by Compumind; 13 May 2018 at 03:10.
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  2. Posts : 516
    Windows 10 Professional 64bit
       #2

    You can't print to it if you hardwire the printer to your PC via USB?
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  3. Posts : 13,898
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #3

    Some printers come with ePrint, sending the print job actually sends it as an E-Mail to the printer that has been set up for the function. The printer has its own E-Mail address through the maker. My wife inadvertently set up my HP OfficeJet 8600, it does work. I also get an E-Mail to my main E-Mail telling me about it.
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  4. Posts : 809
    Win10
       #4

    It's strange that you can't print to a USB printer. Your network connection shouldn't affect your USB connection.

    As for printing to a local WiFi printer, it depends on how your VPN and printer are set up.

    You may be able to configure your VPN connection as a split tunnel so as to allow certain traffic to go over your local non-VPN interface - this would depend on your IT department policy (I'm assuming this is a corporate VPN since you're using Cisco).

    Or you could manually modify the routing table and add a new entry just for your printer's IP address on your local interface.
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  5. Posts : 5,048
    Windows 10/11 Pro x64, Various Linux Builds, Networking, Storage, Cybersecurity Specialty.
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for the replies!

    My problem occurs when I connect to the Cisco VPN for a major client that has retained my services. The VPN setup was rather easy but there is much more going on behind the scenes, in terms of the connectivity.

    What I haven't tried was modifying the Routing Table, so I will give that a go.

    I should mention that the company provided laptop has been imaged with strict group policy rules. On my own systems, I can locally print via USB or via eprint to my HP 8610 OfficeJet with a few VPN's - no problem.

    Last edited by Compumind; 13 May 2018 at 14:15.
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  6. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #6

    Hi there.

    @Compumind

    VPN should be able to work in "Windowed" mode so you can on your local Windows desktop have access to all your local hardware. Usually the VPN connects to a Virtual Desktop infrastructure for example W2012 server via things like CITRIX (ugh !! ugh! hideous I know but that's what people still use a lot).


    There might be some sort of security so you are unlikely to be able to copy files directly -- although if you are using something like CITRIX cut and paste should work and then you can print. Another possibility is email the files to yourself and then print - again the outgoing email server via CITRIX might not allow that type of email access. A "Cheat" on the size is to split the file up with something like the old ZMODEM protocol, and assemble the pieces on your local system so you can print it. If you send the outgoing email as txt - even though it isn't it will usually scape through email virus scanners.

    If you get arrested by FBI -- not my problem --use these methods as AYOR as I don't know what the business is or what the level of security is either (and I don't want to know !!!).

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  7. Posts : 5,048
    Windows 10/11 Pro x64, Various Linux Builds, Networking, Storage, Cybersecurity Specialty.
    Thread Starter
       #7

    jimbo45 said:
    A "Cheat" on the size is to split the file up with something like the old ZMODEM protocol, and assemble the pieces on your local system so you can print it.
    I can't stop laughing! Thanks!
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