Re: Scanner software for Brother mfc8480dn

Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

On Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:59:26 -0000 (UTC), bp wrote:
 

For the first time in recent memory I'd like to do some scanning
with my Brother MFC8480DN all-in-one printer/scanner/copier/fax
machine, and I'd like to use my Pi5 for the job since it's the
only up-to-date computer I have.

 
Does it have the ability to scan to a USB stick? That might be the least
painful way to do it -- then move the stick to your Pi and get the scans
off there that way.

Yes, it will scan to USB. That may be my best option.

It turns out that quite a bit of SANE software is already
installed on the Pi, perhaps in an earlier iteration of this
same goose-chase.

Near as I can tell both simple-scan and xsane run fine but expect
a USB scanner. The mfc8480dn is connected via wired Ethernet on
my LAN and printing works fine, so it's best not to rock that boat.

There's something called sane-net. It looks like that might be
a bridge of sorts between USB-seeking scanner software and an
Ethernet-connected scanner. It's present, including the man page.
If I'm mistaken, please let me know.

I know the machine can scan over Ethernet using the old Brother
Control Center software on the Mac, but that's really clumsy.
 
An attempt to find the Brotherfirmware version number using the
front panel fails, but the web interface reports S, while the Brother
support page at
https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadend.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=mfc8480dn_us&os=10013&dlid=dlf004715_000&flang=8&type3=375
reports a version T. However, the update history skips letter S
and none of the entries mention SANE, or TWAIN. USB is mentioned
only at version Q, which appears to predate S.
I've downloaded the update but will tread lightly with it.

It looks like a Web search for "Brother Control Center Linux" turns up
a few hits, I'll explore those before doing anything else.

Thanks for writing.

bob prohaska