Issue description
A requirement for the creation of a valid Scan to Network (SNF) destination is the entry of a valid UNC path to the shared folder.
However, if the valid \\hostname(servername)\sharename syntax does not work, try the receiving server's(workstation's) IP address.
Solution
When to use the IP Address
- In certain scenarios, the services responsible for resolving the hostname to an IP address (such as DNS, WINS, NetBIOS, etc.) may not be running, or may not be accessible by the Lexmark MFP.
- If these services are not running, Scan to Network will not be successful in connecting to the share because it relies on these services to resolve the hostname to a valid IP address.
- When trying to create a destination to a shared network folder, it may be necessary to use an IP address in place of a hostname for the server on which the shared folder resides.
How to find the IP address of the Server
Perform this procedure on the computer where the shared folder resides.
Determine the server name by extracting it from the UNC share name.
Note: This name resides between the “\\”, and the single backslash, “\”.
Click on Start.
Choose Run,type CMD in the field and then click OK.
A window will launch. The window will have a character followed by “:\>”.
Type ping followed by the server name. For example, ping servername.
Press Enter.
Observe "Pinging servername…[IP Address] with 32 bytes of data".
Write down the [IP address].
Type Exit and press Enter to close the session.
A UNC Example with the IP Address
| Original share or host name | Resolved IP Address | Destination setup UNC syntax with "myshare" as the sharename |
|---|
gskultet-xp2 | 167.104.106.103 | \\167.104.106.103\myshare |
Refer to “Creating a destination shortcut for the Scan to Network solution software” for a topic that describes how to create a Scan to Network destination.
Does "IP address" configuration work?
If the destination works, but does not work when using the hostname, please contact your I/T administrator to report problems with the name services.
The destination can remain setup using the IP address; however, if the server IP address ever changes, the destination address you defined during the creation of the destination shorcut will stop functioning. Whenever possible, therefore, it is advisable to use a hostname in place of an IP address.
Other Acceptable UNC Path Entries
| UNC Requirement | Allowed Server names | Use Suggestion |
|---|
\\servername\sharename* | \\hostname (Computer name) | If the share resides within the same local domain as the MFP: \\hostname\sharename should be all that is required. |
\\Fully Qualified Domain Name | If the share resides outside of the local domain, the server name will need to be specified using a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). refer to “How to identify the FQDN and when to use "Sharename" value in creating a Scan to Network destination” for more information. |
\\IP address | Test value when one or all SNF dependent services are not configured or running properly, e.g.DNS, WINS, NetBIOS. |
\\server name or IP address without sharename. | Certain LDAP configurations only ,e.g., homeDirectoryconfiguration. |
*The name of the shared directory or folder name.
Note: You will have the option to add a directory folder at runtime if configured to allow users to create directories.
Additional information
Click here for more information regarding acceptable Microsoft™ Windows naming conventions.
When attempting to connect to a shared Windows folder using the Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol, Lexmark solutions such as Scan to Network and Fax Forward require a valid computer name and share name to be provided using the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) format.
In this format, the server name and share name use the syntax: \\servername\sharename.
LEGACY ID: HO3684