Network Scanning With Sane

This page describes how to enable Network Scanning using a USB scanner or multi-function printer in Merlin using S.A.N.E. (Scan Access Now Easy).

Requirements:

• A router running Merlin duh...
• USB Stick with Entware configured [instructions] (https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/Entware)
• A USB Scanner or Multi-Function Printer
• Router accessible via ssh
• Familiarity with ssh access and command line tools line vi

Router Setup Instructions:

• Ssh to router and type

opkg install sane-backends sane-frontends sane-libs dbus xinetd

• Create file /opt/etc/xinetd.d/saned and put the following content:

service saned
{
type = UNLISTED
port = 6566
socket_type = stream
server = /opt/sbin/saned
protocol = tcp
user = admin
group = root
wait = no
disable = no  
}

• Edit file /opt/etc/dbus-1/system.conf and replace the following line:
  <user>root</user>
  with
  <user>admin</user>
• Edit file /opt/etc/sane.d/saned.conf and add your subnet to allow access, for example: 192.168.1.0/24
• Reboot router and make sure that dbus and xinetd are running (this step might not be required if you know how to start the services manually from /opt/etc/init.d)

NOTE: should you experience the service dbus not coming up after router reboot. Simply add the following lines to the file /opt/etc/init.d/S20dbus before the line . /opt/etc/init.d/rc.func:

if test -f /opt/var/run/dbus.pid; then
        rm /opt/var/run/dbus.pid
fi

Special Hardware Instructions

HP:

• Ssh to router and type the command: opkg --force-overwrite install hplip

Test functionality:

• Type: scanimage -L, your device should be displayed
• Type: scanimage --test, your device should start testing and display status

On The Client Side (Linux):

• Install the sane package. This changes by distribution
• Edit file /etc/sane.d/net.conf and add the ip or hostname of the router
• Test the same way with the scanimage utility

On The Client Side (Windows):

• Download SaneTwain [http://sanetwain.ozuzo.net] (http://sanetwain.ozuzo.net)
• On start-up put the router's ip/host

Suggestions are always welcomed.