quality_recticel/windows_print_service/README.md

Quality Recticel Print Service - Native Windows

A lightweight Windows service that provides local HTTP API for silent PDF printing from the Quality Recticel web application. This is a native PowerShell implementation with zero external dependencies.

🏗️ Technical Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Quality Recticel Web App                 │
│                  (print_module.html)                       │
└─────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────┘
                      │ HTTP Request
                      ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         Native PowerShell Print Service                     │
│                (localhost:8765)                            │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐   │
│  │ PowerShell  │  │    CORS      │  │   PDF Handler   │   │
│  │ HTTP Server │  │   Support    │  │     & WMI       │   │
│  └─────────────┘  └──────────────┘  └─────────────────┘   │
└─────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────┘
                      │ Native Messaging (Optional)
                      ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                Chrome Extension                             │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐   │
│  │ Background  │  │  Content     │  │     Popup       │   │
│  │ Service     │  │  Script      │  │     UI          │   │
│  │ Worker      │  │              │  │                 │   │
│  └─────────────┘  └──────────────┘  └─────────────────┘   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Overview

This service creates a local HTTP server on localhost:8765 that receives print requests from the Quality Recticel web application and handles silent PDF printing to local printers.

Key Features

• 🚀 Native Windows: Pure PowerShell implementation - no Python or external dependencies
• 🖨️ Silent Printing: Print PDFs without showing print dialogs
• 🔧 Printer Management: List and select available local printers
• ⚙️ Windows Service: Runs automatically in the background
• 🌐 Chrome Extension Integration: Works seamlessly with the Quality Recticel Chrome extension
• 📡 REST API: Simple HTTP endpoints for printing operations
• 📝 Comprehensive Logging: Detailed service logs for troubleshooting

Quick Installation

Prerequisites

• Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+
• Administrator privileges
• PowerShell (included with Windows)
• Chrome browser (for the extension)

Install Steps

1. Download Service Package

   • Download the complete service package from the Quality Recticel system
   • Extract all files to a temporary folder

2. Run Native Installer

   # Right-click and "Run as administrator"
   install_native_service.bat
   

3. Install Chrome Extension

   • Open Chrome and go to chrome://extensions/
   • Enable "Developer mode"
   • Click "Load unpacked" and select the chrome_extension folder

4. Test Installation

   • Open your browser to: http://localhost:8765/health
   • You should see a JSON response indicating the service is healthy

Service Architecture

Native PowerShell Service

• No Dependencies: Uses only built-in Windows components
• HTTP Listener: .NET HttpListener for web requests
• WMI Integration: Windows Management Instrumentation for printer access
• Service Integration: Native Windows Service Control Manager

File Structure

C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\
├── print_service.ps1        # Main PowerShell service script
└── print_service.log        # Service activity log

API Endpoints

Health Check

GET http://localhost:8765/health

Response:

{
    "status": "healthy",
    "service": "Quality Recticel Print Service",
    "version": "1.0",
    "timestamp": "2024-01-15 14:30:25",
    "platform": "Windows PowerShell"
}

List Printers

GET http://localhost:8765/printers

Response:

{
    "success": true,
    "printers": [
        {
            "name": "HP LaserJet Pro",
            "driver": "HP Universal Printing PCL 6",
            "port": "IP_192.168.1.100",
            "is_default": true,
            "status": 3
        }
    ],
    "count": 1
}

Print PDF

POST http://localhost:8765/print/pdf
POST http://localhost:8765/print/silent

Content-Type: application/json

{
    "pdf_url": "https://example.com/document.pdf",
    "printer_name": "HP LaserJet Pro",
    "copies": 1
}

Response:

{
    "success": true,
    "message": "Print job sent successfully",
    "printer": "HP LaserJet Pro",
    "timestamp": "2024-01-15 14:30:25"
}

Service Management

Using Service Control Manager

# Start service
sc start QualityRecticelPrintService

# Stop service
sc stop QualityRecticelPrintService

# Check status
sc query QualityRecticelPrintService

# Restart service
sc stop QualityRecticelPrintService && sc start QualityRecticelPrintService

Using Services GUI

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc
2. Find "Quality Recticel Print Service"
3. Right-click for start/stop/restart options

View Logs

Service logs are automatically written to:

C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\print_service.log

Troubleshooting

Service Won't Start

1. Check Administrator Rights: Ensure installer was run as Administrator
2. PowerShell Execution Policy: Verify PowerShell execution policy allows scripts

   Get-ExecutionPolicy
   # Should be RemoteSigned or Unrestricted
   

3. Port Conflict: Check if port 8765 is already in use

   netstat -ano | findstr :8765
   

4. Service Logs: Check the log file for detailed error messages

Printing Issues

1. Printer Access: Verify printers are accessible from Windows services
2. PDF Access: Ensure PDF URLs are accessible from the service context
3. Print Queue: Check Windows print queue for stuck jobs
4. Permissions: Verify service has permission to access printers

Chrome Extension Issues

1. Service Connection: Test http://localhost:8765/health in browser
2. Extension Loading: Verify extension is properly loaded in Chrome
3. CORS: Service includes proper CORS headers for browser access
4. Console Errors: Check browser console for JavaScript errors

Security Features

• Localhost Only: Service only accepts connections from 127.0.0.1/localhost
• No External Access: No outbound network requirements except for PDF downloads
• Temporary Files: PDF downloads are cleaned up automatically
• Service Account: Runs with minimal required privileges
• CORS Protection: Proper cross-origin resource sharing headers

Uninstallation

Automated Uninstall

# Right-click and "Run as administrator"
uninstall_service.bat

Manual Uninstall

# Stop and delete service
sc stop QualityRecticelPrintService
sc delete QualityRecticelPrintService

# Remove files (optional)
rmdir /s "C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel"

Advantages of Native Solution

✅ Zero Dependencies: No Python, Flask, or external packages required
✅ Faster Installation: No package downloads or environment setup
✅ Better Integration: Native Windows service with proper lifecycle management
✅ Smaller Footprint: Minimal disk space and memory usage
✅ Enterprise Ready: Uses only trusted Windows components
✅ Easier Deployment: Single installer with no prerequisites

Development Notes

PowerShell Service Implementation

The service uses PowerShell's built-in capabilities:

• System.Net.HttpListener for HTTP server functionality
• Get-WmiObject Win32_Printer for printer enumeration
• System.Net.WebClient for PDF downloads
• Native Windows service architecture

Why PowerShell vs Python?

• Deployment: No need to install Python runtime or pip packages
• Security: Uses only Microsoft-signed components
• Performance: Faster startup and lower memory usage
• Maintenance: Easier to troubleshoot with native Windows tools
• Enterprise: Better compliance with corporate security policies

Support

For issues or questions:

1. Check the troubleshooting section above
2. Review service logs at C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\print_service.log
3. Test individual endpoints using browser or curl
4. Contact Quality Recticel IT support with log details

File Inventory

• install_native_service.bat - Service installer (run as Administrator)
• uninstall_service.bat - Service removal script
• print_service.ps1 - Main PowerShell service implementation
• chrome_extension/ - Chrome extension files (optional)
• README.md - This documentation file