Linux Install Tweaks: XSane Scanner Setup

Might as well put all this all in one place for reference; that’s what this blog is all about.

Relevant for Xubuntu 8.10 with XFCE 4.6

Do that to get static network addresses.

Do that to get /dev/scanner created, which might not be needed with USB scanners.

Install xinetd

Create /etc/xinetd.d/saned with this stanza:

service sane-port
            {
              socket_type = stream
              server = /usr/sbin/saned
              protocol = tcp
              user = saned
              group = scanner
              wait = no
              disable = no
            }

Restart xinetd (this may not be needed): sudo /etc/init.d/xinetd restart

Add the IP addresses of any other local PCs that should be able to use the scanner to /etc/sane.d/saned.conf. If they’re in /etc/hosts, call them by name.

Add the IP address of this PC to the /etc/sane.d/net.conf files on those PCs. Again, if it’s in those /etc/hosts files, call this one by name.

Add the scanner group to any users who need it:
sudo usermod -a -G scanner userid
Log out and back in again to activate your new group membership.

And then it should Just Work…