3.6.1 lpr
/lpd
For the lpr
/lpd
type spoolers (lpr
,
lprng
, and gnulpr
), set up /etc/printcap
as follows if they are connected to a PostScript or text-only printer (the
basics):
lp|alias:\
:sd=/var/spool/lpd/lp:\
:mx#0:\
:sh:\
:lp=/dev/lp0:
Meaning of the above lines:
-
Head line: lp – name of spool, alias = alias
-
mx#0 – max file size unlimited
-
sh – suppress printing of burst page header
-
lp=/dev/lp0 – local printer device, or port@host for remote
This is a good configuration if you are connected to a PostScript printer.
Also, when printing from a Windows machine through Samba, this is a good
configuration for any Windows-supported printer (no bidirectional communication
is supported). You have to select the corresponding printer configuration on
the Windows machine.
If you do not have a PostScript printer, you need to set up a filtering system
using gs
. There are many autoconfiguration tools provided for
setting up /etc/printcap
. Any of these combinations is an option:
In order to run GUI configuration tools such as printtool
, see Getting root in X, Section 9.4.12 to gain
root privilege. Printer spools created with printtool
use
gs
and act like PostScript printers. So when accessing them, use
PostScript printer drivers. On the Windows side, "Apple LaserWriter"
is the standard one.