Install Brother MFC-8460N Printer in Debian GNU/Linux 5.0

In my continuing effort to start over using the amd64 release of Debian GNU/Linux 5.0, I’ve come up on the need for another printer driver.

Yesterday’s article Install Brother HL-5250DN Printer in Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 is the basis of today’s article.

Thanks to Brother developing Linux drivers for my Brother MFC-8460N Printer, installation should be a snap.

Brother’s Solution Center now has a Linux section. Get Brother Drivers for Linux distributions by clicking on the image below:

My printer is the Brother MFC-8460N, seen below:

IThe steps below, show how to Install the Brother MFC-8460N Printer in Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 via the Konsole (console or terminal):

NOTE: This does not install any functionality for the Scanner or Fax.

1. Create the directory /users/{YOUR USERNAME}/Downloads/Brother/MFC8460N.
2. If I have to download anything, I try to download to the “Downloads” directory in the /users/{YOUR USERNAME}/Downloads directory path.
3. Go to the MFC-8460N Linux Driver site.
4. Download the LPR driver, cupswrapper driver and ppd file from this web site. Save these files in the directory /users/{YOUR USERNAME}/Downloads/Brother/MFC8460N you created in the very first step.
5. Go to the K Menu in the lower left part of the screen.
6. In the K Menu chose the “Run Command” option.
7. In the “Run Command” dialog, type: “konsole” and hit the [enter] key.
8. Next, type: “su” and hit the [enter] key.
9. Type in the Password of the “root” user and hit the [enter] key. You would have set this password up during installation. See our Installing Debian 4.0 (etch) on a PC guide.
10. Then you will type the following code:
    test:~# cd /users/{YOUR USERNAME}/Downloads/Brother/MFC8460N
    then press the [enter] key. This changes to the MFC8460N directory.
11. Now, Install the LPR driver by typing:
    test:~# dpkg -i --force-all (lpr-drivername)
    then press the [enter] key.
12. Next, Install cupswrapper driver by typing:
    test:~# dpkg -i --force-all (cupswrapper-drivername)
    then press the [enter] key.
13. To verify the LPR driver and cupswrapper driver both were installed, type:
    test:~# dpkg -l | grep Brother
    then press the [enter] key.
14. Open any web browser and go to http://localhost:631/printers.
15. Click “Modify Printer” to continue with the configuration of the MFC-8460N print parameters.
16. Make any changes to the printer name you wish and click the continue button.
17. On the Device page, use the Drop Down menu to select “Brother MFC-8460N Series,” “LPD/LPR Host or Printer” or “AppSocket/HP JetDirect”. Either option should work. I chose the First one.
18. Once you have made the selection on the Device page click the continue button.
19. On the Device URI page, type:
    lpd://192.168.1.200/binary_p1
    Use the actual IP Address of your printer in place of the 192.168.1.200
20. Once you have finished withe URI page click the continue button.
21. On the Make/Manufacturer page, find the area which says “Or Provide a PPD File:” and click the choose file button.
22. You will then need to navigate to the directory you saved the PPD file in (mine was /users/{YOUR USERNAME}/Downloads/Brother/MFC8460N), select the PPD file and click the open button.
23. Once you have selected the PPD file you will be returned to the Make/Manufacturer page. Click the continue button.
24. This should return to the MFC8460N Printer Screen.
25. Locate and click the Set Printer Options button.
26. Most likely you will want to adjust the Media Size for Letter.
27. You may have some other specific settings you wish to change here as well. Make you modifications and click the Set Printer Options button.
28. This should return to the MFC8460N Printer Screen.
29. At this point, you can run a test print if you want.

I found helpful information about this process on the Cupswrapper Driver Install Process, on the Brother Solutions web site.