(UPDATED) HOWTO: Brother MFC scan and print with sane & cups

[kernelOfTruth]

You have been looking and trying a long time to get your Brother MFC scanner to work with sane, right?

Now let's get it working:

here, you get alle drivers you need:
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/en_us/

I'll show you the installation on the basis of my MFC-5840CN AIO:

Update7: this drivers work fine with x86 & x86_64 (amd64 / em64t)
(if you follow the guide at brother's site)

0. Installing the required kernel version

Update3: the Brother bscan2 and bscan backends have been updated and should work pretty fine with the most configurations
Big thanks to the Brother linux-driver team !


Install the newest gentoo-sources by typing in (if you haven't already got them / this step is optional):

Code: Select all

emerge gentoo-sources

While emerge is downloading the kernel-sources you can move on installing the other needed stuff, simply open up another konsole / terminal

1. Getting your system ready

Next install rpm & tcsh, sane-frontends, sane-backends and xsane or kooka and if not already installed hotplug (if needed: gimp)

The last two are graphical frontends to sane; rpm & csh are both needed by the *.rpm-packages (unfortunately the source installation method didn't work for me):

Code: Select all

emerge rpm tcsh sane-frontends sane-backends xsane kooka hotplug gimp 

(i've emerged both xsane and kooka & in addition to that: gimp)

if you want a neat interface for scanning with sane add the following line to your /etc/portage/package.use

Code: Select all

media-gfx/sane-frontends gimp

probably you'll have to unmask the latest versions of sane-backends, sane-frontends and xsane, if you're running stable:

Code: Select all

echo "media-gfx/sane-frontends" >> /etc/portage/package.keywords
echo "media-gfx/sane-backends" >> /etc/portage/package.keywords
echo "media-gfx/xsane" >> /etc/portage/package.keywords

if it should be hard masked:

WARNING! only do this if you know what you are doing
If you don't know what you are doing (you should ), consult the gentoo handbook: http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/h ... ble&full=1

Code: Select all

echo "media-gfx/sane-backends" >> /etc/portage/package.unmask

Code: Select all

echo "media-gfx/sane-frontends" >> /etc/portage/package.unmask

Code: Select all

echo "media-gfx/xsane" >> /etc/portage/package.unmask

Add hotplug to the default run-level to let your system recognize your printer, when the usb-cable is plugged in

Code: Select all

rc-update -a hotplug default

Update(4)
the functions of coldplug should now be handled by the new udev (for those running ~x86)

2. Fetching driver's from the brother's site

if you just want to scan, you'll only need one rpm, which can be found here:

http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/ ... ivers.html

in my case it's the "brscan2" rpm-package

but since it's a AIO multifunctional printer, you'll probably also want to make it print

so here are the needed links:

(1) http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/ ... ivers.html
here you'll find an lpr-driver which you'll need for the cupswrapper (perhaps also for the sane-driver? i've installed them all so i don't know how the dependencies are ...)

(2) http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/ ... ivers.html
the needed cupswrapper driver

if you just wanted to make your printer print you're almost done:

your printer / AIO should be connected to your computer

open up a browser, type in

Code: Select all

127.0.0.1:631

(cupsd should be installed & running:

Code: Select all

/etc/init.d/cupsd restart

)

then add your printer (if it isn't already in the list):

the connection should be

Code: Select all

/dev/usb/lp0 

know you're all set (for printing)

the scanning part

(3) http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/ ... ivers.html
behind this link you'll find the sane-drivers

3. Now configure and compile you kernel

cd /usr/src/linux

Code: Select all

make menuconfig

here's an excerpt from my .config

CONFIG_USB_PRINTER=m
# NOTE: USB_STORAGE enables SCSI, and 'SCSI disk support'
# may also be needed; see USB_STORAGE Help for more information
CONFIG_USB_STORAGE=m

compile them as modules so you can unload one or another if needed (sometimes usb-storage interferes with usblp )

don't forget to activate:

[*] USB device filesystem

if you're all done you can cook it:

Code: Select all

make && make modules && make modules_install && make install 

DON'T FORGET TO ADD A NEW SECTION TO YOUR grub.conf or lilo.conf (if adding a new kernel) !!

4. Reboot!

Reboot your system to the new cooked kernel, you'll be able to scan in no time from here on ...

5. Install the drivers

here the commands for me:

Code: Select all

rpm -ivh --nodeps MFC5840CNlpr-1.0.2-1.i386.rpm
rpm -ivh --nodeps cupswrapperMFC5840CN-1.0.0-1.i386.rpm
rpm -ivh --nodeps brscan2-0.0.2-1.i386.rpm

After the installation the printer still doesn't work with cups-1.2* , so:

just copy /usr/lib/cups/filter/brlpdwrapper* to /usr/libexec/cups/filter/brlpdwrapper* (this changed with the new version)
and you should be going fine with cups-1.2*

6. Last steps

Add the following line to your fstab:

usbfs /proc/bus/usb usbfs auto,devmode=0666 0 0

umount your /proc/bus/usb

Code: Select all

umount /proc/bus/usb 

remount /proc/bus/usb

Code: Select all

mount /proc/bus/usb 

and type in:

Code: Select all

mknod -m 666 /dev/usbscanner c 180 48 

(if that sequence/order shouldn't help: first unmount /proc/bus/usb, type in "mknod -m 666 /dev/usbscanner c 180 48" without "" and remount /proc/bus/usb)

7. Is it working for you ? It took pretty long for me at the beginning to work ...

you can check if it it's properly detected by typing in (in the console) / a terminal-window and should get similar results:

Code: Select all

sane-find-scanner -q
found USB scanner (vendor=0x04f9, product=0x016e) at libusb:003:002

Code: Select all

scanimage -L
device `brother2:bus3;dev2' is a Brother MFC-5840CN MFC Scanner

Fire up xsane or kooka:

ALT + F2 -> kooka
ALT + F2 -> xsane

and select your device, for example:

Brother MFC-5840CN MFC Scanner [brother2;bus2;dev2 ]

ideally it should work and you're all set: congrats

in my case it doesn't work for the normal user and I have to be root to be able to scan , I know: it has to do with the udev-rules / hotplug-...
but in the moment I haven't got much time, so this problem should be fixed in the future and added to this howto sometime

So if you get an error message like the following:

Failed to open device `brother2:bus3;dev2`:
Error during device I/O.

try to fix the access rules in the /proc/bus/usb-section by chmodding or simply execute xsane (or your favorite scanning application) with
root rights (remember: this can be a security problem!)


Is it working for you?? I'm looking forward to hear from you

8. Troubleshooting: If it doesn't work for you: (the following steps shouldn't be necessary any more!)

add / change to the following:

If you are using the brscan-backend
/etc/sane.d/brother.conf
#port /dev/usb/lp0
#port /dev/usbscanner
#brother2 /dev/usbscanner
#usb 04f9 016e -> applicable for MFC5840CN only ??? to get yours: type sane-find-scanner -q
usb 0x4f9 0x16e

option connect-device

/etc/sane.d/dll.conf
brother

If you are using the brscan2-backend
simply create a new file in /etc/sane.d -> /etc/sane.d/brother2.conf
and add

Code: Select all

port /dev/usb/lp0 

/etc/sane.d/dll.conf
brother2

Other

/etc/hotplug/usb/libsane.usermap
# Brother|MFC 5840
libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x016e 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
0x00 0x00000000



update 1:
added coldplug and hotplug to the install guide
update2:
added information concerning kernel-version & printer-communication
update3:
added new information at the end of the post to make the backend / scanner work with up-to-date kernels
update4:
redid the whole howto, hopefully it should work on most of the hardware configurations
update5:
made some minor changes
update6:
added udev-rules
update7:
cups-1.2* support / howto

[Noven]

I've got a Brother MFC 4800 and your instructions worked for me. Later on I'll write the udev rules for the device and send them to you to enhance your howto. Thanks for a simple and effective howto.

[kernelOfTruth]

Sweet !

great that it works for you, too & thanks in advance

[kgraysiue80]

I was recently given a Brother DCP 1000. I have successfully set up the printer part of it. Not so lucky with the scanner portion. I followed the directions on the website and then saw your discussion here and followed these (essentially the same) directions. I think my problem may have something to do with the fact that my device is not in the /etc/hotplug/usb/libsane.usermap. If I do a "sane-find-scanner" command I get the following output, which I think is a positive sign.

# sane-find-scanner will now attempt to detect your scanner. If the
# result is different from what you expected, first make sure your
# scanner is powered up and properly connected to your computer.

# No SCSI scanners found. If you expected something different, make sure that
# you have loaded a kernel SCSI driver for your SCSI adapter.

found USB scanner (vendor=0x04f9, product=0x0112) at libusb:003:002
# Your USB scanner was (probably) detected. It may or may not be supported by
# SANE. Try scanimage -L and read the backend's manpage.

# Not checking for parallel port scanners.

# Most Scanners connected to the parallel port or other proprietary ports
# can't be detected by this program.

However, when I run "cat /etc/hotplug/usb/libsane.usermap | grep 0x4f9" I get the following output.

libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x010f 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00000000
libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x0111 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00000000
libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x0161 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00000000

I am new to linux scanning and I am open to suggestions.

Thanks

[kernelOfTruth]

Hi

have you used the "brscan"-package? just in case you installed "brscan2"

probably you'll have to add "brother" to /etc/sane.d/dll.conf

have you added the following

Code: Select all

usb 0x4f9 0x0112

and commented out

Code: Select all

usb 0x4f9 0x16e 

(in this case it doesn't fit to your scanner / printer) to

/etc/sane.d/brother.conf ?

if not, try that and

just add another line to libsane.usermap

Code: Select all

libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x0112 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
0x00 0x00000000 

0x0112

should be the device code of your scanner

if that doesn't work

open up a konsole / xterm / terminal
type in

Code: Select all

su

enter your root password and then type in

Code: Select all

tail -f /var/log/messages

plug out your scanner / printer and plug it in again (at least hotplug should be running)

then you'll find something like:

drivers/usb/class/usblp.c: usblp0: USB Bidirectional printer dev 2 if 1 alt 0 proto 2 vid 0x043D pid 0x0065
Feb 8 11:22:32 catherine hiddev1: USB HID v1.00 Device [Lexmark Lexmark X5100 Series] on usb-0000:00:1d.1-1

(i'm not at home so i'm working with another device)

note down the important section

0x043D pid 0x0065

and add it to libsane.usermap and brother.conf

if you get an error like the following

usbfs: interface 1 claimed by usblp while 'scanimage' sets config #1

compile in the usb-storage and usbprinter drivers into your kernel as modules [called usblp, usb-storage]

in this way you can check if it's compiled in or a module:

Code: Select all

cd /usr/src/linux

Code: Select all

cat .config | grep STORAGE 

then change:

Code: Select all

CONFIG_USB_PRINTER

and

Code: Select all

CONFIG_USB_STORAGE=y

to

Code: Select all

CONFIG_USB_PRINTER=m 

and

Code: Select all

CONFIG_USB_STORAGE=m 

normally you shouldn't get the message with "claimed by usblp" when running with a kernel <=2.6.12

[kgraysiue80]

Thanks for the help. I will start from the top.
When I plug in the DCP-1000 I get the following in /var/log/messages

usb 3-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 3
drivers/usb/class/usblp.c: usblp0: USB Bidirectional printer dev 3 if 0 alt 0 proto 2 vid 0x04F9 pid 0x0112

I did use the brscan package.
brother is in /etc/sane.d/dll.conf

Code: Select all

cat /etc/sane.d/dll.conf | grep brother

brother

I put usb 0x4f9 0x0112 in /etc/sane.d/brother.conf

Code: Select all

cat /etc/sane.d/brother.conf

#port /dev/usb/lp0
usb 0x04f9 0x0112

I added that line to libsane.usermap

Code: Select all

cat /etc/hotplug/usb/libsane.usermap | grep 0x04f9

libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x010f 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00000000
libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x0111 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00000000
libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x0161 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00000000
libusbscanner 0x0003 0x04f9 0x0112 0x0000 0x0000 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00000000

XSane still cannot find the scanner. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[kernelOfTruth]

could you please also post, what /var/log/messages shows, when you try to start xsane ?

-> open up a terminal windows type in

Code: Select all

tail -f /var/log/messages

leave the window open and start xsane e.g. from another window or from the K-Menu / ...

btw. which kernel are you running? gentoo-sources 2.6.12 ? vanilla-sources 2.6.12 ?

[kgraysiue80]

Nothing shows up in /var/log/messages when I start xsane. I tried to start it as a normal user and also as root.

I am running on amd64 with gentoo-sources kernel 2.6.14-gentoo-r5.

Thanks again.

[Aman9090]

I followed your guide to just get my Brother DCP-110C printer to print. I am not concerned with scanning yet, but not even the print function is functioning properly!

I went into the cups configuration site (localhost:631) and configured my printer just fine. When I send a test print to the printer through this site, it says that it is sending the data to the printer, but it hangs here: "Sending print file, 14542 bytes..." The printer never makes any sign of life afterwards. And yes, the printer IS on. I know that the computer sees it, because it gives: "Device URI: usb://Brother/DCP-110C".

I'm concerned. I am running amd64 with ck-sources kernel 2.6.15-r3. XSane did not give me any better results. Any help would be REALLY appreciated!!! Thanks in advance,
-Andrew

EDIT: I just discovered that you said that 2.6.15 doesn't work with the printer. Well, that's no good! I noticed that your last edit was on February 4th, however, and I am wondering if maybe, since the last edit of your post, there has been a fix to the problem? I am unable to find anything on Google or other such resources. Thanks again!

[kernelOfTruth]

Hi,

in the meantime I had been on a trip to debian and back I had thought that it would run on a debian-system for sure but I was wrong

since yesterday I'm installing a new gentoo-system (stage 1 on 3) and xsane is working !

now some details: I'm running an Athlon-XP (thoroughbred B) with march=athlon-xp, on gentoo testing (ACCEPT_KEYWORDS="~x86")

now to the programs and settings I needed to make it run:

these are my use-flags, change them to your liking: (you shouldn't use "hal" or "dbus")

Code: Select all

USE="threads idn kdexdeltas kdeenablefinal -3dfx -wifi lm_sensors ppds -pcmcia -dbus dri pdf userlocales unicode nls nptl nptlonly pic -apm -arm -alpha -hppa -mips -sparc X pam_console musicbrainz x264 mmxext mmx2 jpeg2k aac asf sse mmx mono ipod objc gcj alsa aim arts avi bash-completion bzip2 cdr crypt cups dvd dvdr dvdread encode fbcon ffmpeg ftp kde gpm gstreamer icq java jpeg lcms lesstif mp3 mpeg ncurses nsplugin ogg opengl oscar png ppds qt quicktime readline scanner slang spell svg truetype usb vcd vorbis win32codecs xine xmms xvid yahoo zlib"

1.) Important change from the previous configuration (in that configuration it was working only with <=2.6.12-kernels)
I've removed my use-flags: "hal" and "dbus"
=> the brscanX-backends seem to have problems with with hal-support so I removed them

alternatively you can also try to just disable dbus and hal:

Code: Select all

/etc/init.d/hald stop && rc-update -d hald 

Code: Select all

/etc/init.d/dbus stop && rc-update -d dbus 

2.) emerge the needed software

Code: Select all

ACCEPT_KEYWORDS="~x86 USE="debug" emerge xsane 

Code: Select all

ACCEPT_KEYWORDS="~x86" emerge sane-backends rpm tcsh 

(perhaps more due to USE-FLAGs-dependencies, my use-flags are listed above)

3.) add yourself to the scanner-group

Code: Select all

gpasswd -a <user> scanner 

<user> stands for your user-name

4.) add "brother2" to the following file (only when it hasn't already been added)
/etc/sane.d/dll.conf
brother2

5.) this applies to the brscan2-backend, change /etc/sane.d/brother.conf for the brscan-backend
/etc/sane.d/brother2.conf (for the brscan2-backends)
port /dev/usb/lp0

/etc/sane.d/brother.conf (for the brscan2-backends)
port /dev/usb/lp0


notice: there's a new version of the brscan2-backend: brscan2 ver.0.0.2-1

6.) kernel-settings:
usb-storage should be compiled as a module, the same applies to usblp (usb-printer-support)

I haven't added coldplug and hotplug to the "default"-runlevel yet so I'm still not sure if it makes a difference

update:
It doesn't so you can add hotplug and coldplug to the default runlevel:

Code: Select all

rc-update -a hotplug default 

Code: Select all

rc-update -a coldplug default 

7.) /etc/fstab
just add the following line like advised in the brother-sane installation-instructions:

Code: Select all

none /proc/bus/usb usbfs auto,devmode=0666 0 0

then

Code: Select all

umount /proc/bus/usb

Code: Select all

mount /proc/bus/usb

Code: Select all

mknod -m 666 /dev/usbscanner c 180 48 

8.)
load the usb-storage-module and (re)start coldplug:

Code: Select all

modprobe usb-storage && /etc/init.d/coldplug restart 

look if the scanner has been found:

Code: Select all

lsusb && scanimage -L 

the last step is to start your favorite scan-application:

Code: Select all

xsane

@ Aman9090,kgraysiue80:

Update: Brother has been very busy lately

they have added a section in their faq for amd64-machines!

http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/ ... faq-2.html

http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/ ... q-2.html#2

concerning the scanner-feature/-issue: they seem to work on it *fingers crossed*

Brother is now developing drivers which are designed to work on Linux distributions, Redhat, Mandriva(Mandrake), SuSE, Debian and FedoraCore. We have developed two types of driver: LPR drivers and CUPS drivers.

NICE !

[kernelOfTruth]

this additions are based on VValdo's: http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-40 ... s+1+2.html

thanks! finally I'm able to scan without having to be root:

Here are the udev-rules which let you scan (with normal user privileges):

create the file 51-libsane.rules in /etc/udev/rules.d/ and add one ore more lines:

51-libsane.rules

Code: Select all

# Brother|DCP 7020
SYSFS{idVendor}=="04f9", SYSFS{idProduct}=="0183", MODE="660", GROUP="scanner"
# Brother|MFC 5100C
SYSFS{idVendor}=="04f9", SYSFS{idProduct}=="010f", MODE="660", GROUP="scanner"
# Brother|MFC 6800
SYSFS{idVendor}=="04f9", SYSFS{idProduct}=="0111", MODE="660", GROUP="scanner"
# Brother|MFC 210C.
SYSFS{idVendor}=="04f9", SYSFS{idProduct}=="0161", MODE="660", GROUP="scanner" 
# Brother|MFC 5840CN
SYSFS{idVendor}=="04f9", SYSFS{idProduct}=="016e", MODE="660", GROUP="scanner" 

you should change the idProduct according to the hardware id of your printer:
e.g.

Code: Select all

lsusb | grep Brother
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 04f9:016e Brother Industries, Ltd

=> 016e

now add one or more lines to /etc/hotplug/usb/libsane.usermap

in my case:

Code: Select all

# Brother|MFC 5840CN
libusbscanner             0x0003      0x04f9   0x016e    0x0000       0x0000   0x00         0x00            0x00            0x00            0x00   0x00               0x00000000

now unplug the printer / MFC:

happy printing & scanning

Update:

Brother has released drivers x86_64 for sane, too!!

http://solutions.brother.com/linux/sol/ ... ivers.html

[VValdo]

Just wanted to add a quick-update. The new CUPS gave me errors printing. (actually it wouldn't print at all.)

The problem was that /dev/usb/lp0 had the wrong group. (root:scanner instead of root:lp) See the thread listed above for a fix.

W

[kernelOfTruth]

Great! I'll add it as soon as possible at moment I have a lot to do ...

a few days ago I installed cups 1.2, but it didn't want to print, i shows the following message and I'm not able to start the printer ...

Filter "brlpdwrapperMFC5840CN" for printer "MFC5840CN" not available

i removed the printer & driver and reinstalled them but no help

I'll take another try in July, since I'm very busy right now, but it would be nice, if anyone could give some input concerning this issue ....

I played back a backup of my gentoo system, so the message above is the only thing a can say about this issue so far ...

... perhaps you got the same and already solved it ?

[duby2291]

Great! I'll add it as soon as possible at moment I have a lot to do ...

a few days ago I installed cups 1.2, but it didn't want to print, i shows the following message and I'm not able to start the printer ...

Filter "brlpdwrapperMFC5840CN" for printer "MFC5840CN" not available

i removed the printer & driver and reinstalled them but no help

I'll take another try in July, since I'm very busy right now, but it would be nice, if anyone could give some input concerning this issue ....

I played back a backup of my gentoo system, so the message above is the only thing a can say about this issue so far ...

... perhaps you got the same and already solved it ?

I get this error too. I have the MFC420CN. I wrote most of the howto on the gentoo-wiki here....
http://gentoo-wiki.com/Brother_MFC_420CN

If any one knows how to fix this problem please let me know, or you can feel free to update the wiki yourself.

[duby2291]

I think I found the fix...

http://www.cups.org/str.php?L1456

Any one brave enough to test this? It fails to apply for me.

[kernelOfTruth]

@duby2291:

thanks for you help / input,
the fix already seems to be applied on the newest ebuild / cups-version ?!

now I get another error message & can't start the printer

"/usr/libexec/cups/backend/usb failed"

help ... anyone ?

[uagent]

btw, if you are getting an error stating that the filter for the MFC-420CN can't be found, copy /usr/lib/cups/filter/brlpdwrapperMFC420CN to /usr/libexec/cups/filter/. I can't believe I almost gave up such an awesome printer over so stupid an error >_<

Also, added this to the end of the troubleshooting page for printing with the MFC-420CN page on the wiki.

[kernelOfTruth]

@uagent:

Thanks a lot ! I'll give this a try a soon as I'm at home ...

[conloos]

ok i installed the driver, but i had a lot of problems with the borders, because KDE (Kontrollzentrum) and cups (http://localhost:631/) said the driver use A4 but he didnt.
After a lot of searching i found a thread in a smilar condition, but the user used symlinks.

solution:
edit simply:
/usr/local/Brother/cupswrapper/cupswrapperMFC210C-1.0.0,
and change the "Default*...BrLetter" to "Default*...BrA4/A4"
and then edit /usr/local/Brother/inf/brMFC210Cfunc & brMFC210Crc and change PaperType=Letter to PaperType=A4


con

[kernelOfTruth]

conloos, does cups 1.2* work for you ?

This printer still doesn't want to work for me with 1.2* (I'm using 1.1.23-r8 right now)

[conloos]

i didnt tryed,

Code: Select all

~ # emerge cups -pv

These are the packages that would be merged, in order:

Calculating dependencies... done!
[ebuild   R   ] net-print/cups-1.1.23-r8  USE="nls pam slp ssl -gnutls -samba" 0 kB

Total size of downloads: 0 kB

At the moment i have a lack of time but i can try it after the 04 of November.

Con

[kernelOfTruth]

ok, thanks

well, that's ok, I would stick to 1.1.23, since last time I tried out 1.2* and reverted to 1.1.23 it didn't work anymore

Update:

I solved the problem thanks to VValdo's post:

just copy /usr/lib/cups/filter/brlpdwrapper* to /usr/libexec/cups/filter/brlpdwrapper*
and the printer should also work with cups-1.2*

[kernelOfTruth]

ok, for those, who still haven't got cups 1.2 & their brother-printer running

here are my personal notes on this problem (kudos to Denials):

\snip

1. unmask cups-1.2* (~x86)
2. rpm2targz the 2 packages
3. tar xzpf MFC... & cupswrapper...
4. cp the files over from usr/* to the corresponding folders
5. mv usr/local/Brother /usr/local/.
6. change in /usr/local/Brother/cupswrapper/cupswrapper... /etc/init.d/cups to /etc/init.d/cupsd
7. run /usr/local/Brother/cupswrapper/cupswrapper...
8. create a symbolic link from /usr/local/Brother/inf/brMFC...rc to /usr/local/Brother/inf/brPrintList (ln -sf brHL2040rc brPrintList )
9.a. copy /usr/lib/cups/filter/br... to /usr/libexec/cups/filter/br..
9.b. for amd64 copy /usr/lib/cups/filter/br... to /usr/lib64/cups/filter/br..
10. restart cups
11. type in 127.0.0.1:631
12. set "change printer" and select the uri
13. print test page
14. if it doesn't work
15. cat test.txt | /usr/local/Brother/lpd/filterMFC5840CN
16. look, what it shows; correct errors (creating symbolic links)

\snip

this at the moment only works on x86 for me, amd64 / 64-bit refuses to load some libraries ...

[pomaranca]

Hello!
I have Brother MFC-5440CN and I made it work following your steps in this howto. When connected via USB it wokrs nice, although i must be root to scan. I can also print when connected via network cable using CUPS, but i can't scan. How could i make scanning possible over network?
I suggest you write a howto at http://gentoo-wiki.com.

[kernelOfTruth]

as far as I know there's already a guide for Brother printers:

http://gentoo-wiki.com/Brother_MFC_420CN
http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Brother_Printer/Scanners

but if someone is willing he can use my instructions to enhance the guide / howto ...

here's a lan printing howto:

http://gentoo-wiki.com/Brother_MFC_420CN/Cups

and here is the latest version of my personal step-by-step guide:

1. unmask cups-1.2* (~x86)
2. rpm2targz the 2 packages
3. tar xzf the 2 packages
3. cp the files over from usr/* to the corresponding folders
4. mv usr/local/Brother /usr/local/.
5. change in /usr/local/Brother/cupswrapper/cupswrapper... /etc/init.d/cups to /etc/init.d/cupsd
6. run /usr/local/Brother/cupswrapper/cupswrapper...
7. create a symbolic link from /usr/local/Brother/inf/brMFC...rc to /usr/local/Brother/inf/brPrintList (ln -sf brHL2040rc brPrintList )
8.a. copy /usr/lib/cups/filter/br... to /usr/libexec/cups/filter/br..
8.b. for amd64 copy /usr/lib/cups/filter/br... to /usr/lib64/cups/filter/br..
9. restart cups
10. type in 127.0.0.1:631
11. set "change printer" and select the uri
12. print test page
13. if it doesn't work
14. cat test.txt | /usr/local/Brother/lpd/filterMFC5840CN
15. look, what it shows; correct errors (creating symbolic links)
16. you probably will have to emerge a2ps (if not already installed)