Lesson 14: UNIX Printing

Learner Outcomes

• Add, configure, and remove printers
• Manage a print system using web-based CUPS or LP

Agenda

• Quiz 6
• Create and configure a printer for an imaginary HP LaserJet
• Configure a network printer
• Print to a remote printer

Assignment

• Prepare for Final Exam

Resources

• UNIX Print Architecture
• PowerPoint Slides
• Lesson 14 Archive

Printing

1. Printer Configuration
   • Printer Modes
     • Text Mode - Accepts ASCII characters
     • Graphic mode - Accepts separate commands and data
   • Graphic-mode Commands and Languages
     • Hewlett Packard's PCL
     • Adobe's PostScript
   • Types of Printer Drivers
   • Print Filters
2. Printing in Linux
   • Linux printing commands
     • The LP and LPRNG systems
       • lpr or lp copies the print job to the spool dir
       • lpd daemon checks the spool dir for jobs
         • Control and Data files are copied to the printer queue
       • lpc controls and configures lpd daemon
       • lpq queries the lpd daemon about print jobs
       • lpstat gives the status of the lp system
       • cancel or lprm
     • The Common UNIX Print System
       • Uses modified versions of the same commands as LP by making use of symbolic links
       • Provides a web-based interface to the print system:
         http://localhost:631/printes
       • Configuration files and drivers for CUPS printers are in /etc/cups.
       • Print jobs are spooled as a pair of data and control files in /var/spool/cups.
   • lp Examples:
     • lpr -P printer filetoprint
     • lp -d printer filetoprint
     • lp -d printer -h host filetoprint
   • GUI Printer Configuration

Relevant Commands and Files