14 DAY TRIAL // Cupertino has confirmed a new release of Bonjour Print Services for Windows, a free package that installs the Bonjour Printer Wizard in “\Program Files\Bonjour Print Services” and allows users to discover and configure Bonjour-enabled printers from their Windows computer using the Bonjour Printer Wizard. The Mac maker lists no specific changes, although it lists a June 03, 2010 post date.
Also known as zero-configuration networking, Bonjour, enables the automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Bonjour allows devices to automatically discover each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers, by using industry standard IP protocols.
The protocol enables automatic IP address assignment without a DHCP server, name to address translation without a DNS server, and service discovery without a directory server. Submitted to the IETF as part of the ongoing standards-creation process, Bonjour is an open, Apple-supported protocol.
Before attempting anything, Windows PC owners must make sure they have the latest Service Pack installed for their version of the operating system. Although Bonjour Print Services supports Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, Apple strongly recommends Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista Service Pack 2, or Windows 7.
Requirements are also listed on the printer front. According to Apple, Bonjour Print Services work with either network printers over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, or USB printers shared via a Mac or an AirPort base station.
Finally, the proper installation of Bonjour Print Services for Windows requires a bit of checking with your Firewall settings. “The Bonjour networking protocol sends and receives network packets on UDP port 5353,” Apple explains on the Support section of its website. “The Bonjour installer will configure the Windows firewall appropriately during installation on supported systems, but if you have a separate ‘personal firewall’ enabled, you will need to ensure that UDP port 5353 is open for Bonjour to work correctly,” Apple stresses. Softpedia readers can download the latest version of Bonjour Print Services for Windows using the link below.