Overview of the LP Print Service

The LP print service is a set of software utilities that enables users to print files while continuing to work. Originally, the print service was called the LP spooler. LP represents line printer, but the meaning now includes many other types of printers, such as laser printers. Spool is an acronym for Simultaneous Peripheral Operations Online.

The LP print service consists of the LP print service software, any print filters you might provide, and the hardware, such as the printer, system, and network connections.

Solaris Express 8/06: Starting with this release, the LP print client commands make use of the PAPI to interact with Solaris LP (lpsched), RFC-1179 (BSD/LPD protocol), and IPP-based servers. IPP support is capable of interacting with CUPS servers by using its native IPP service. With the introduction of this API support, several common BSD and SysV printing commands use the PAPI interface. As a result, the new command implementations work with a number of existing print services. A portion of this development includes server-side support for IPP that is also layered on the API. This support is implemented as a set of protocol-specific libraries and as an Apache module, Versions 1 and 2. Similar to the print command implementation, the IPP listening service can be used with any print service that has PAPI support. The RFC-1179 server-side support is also layered on the PAPI.

For additional information about the LP print service, see LP Print Service.

Functions of the LP Print Service

The LP print service performs the following functions:

• Administers files and schedules local print requests

• Receives and schedules network requests

• Filters files, if necessary, so they print properly

• Starts programs that interface with the printers

• Tracks the status of print jobs

• Tracks forms that are mounted on the printer

• Tracks print wheels that are currently mounted

• Delivers alerts to mount new forms or different print wheels

• Delivers alerts about printing problems

Customizing the LP Print Service

Although the LP print service is designed to be flexible enough to handle most printers and printing needs, the LP print service does not handle every possible situation. You might have a print request that is not accommodated by the standard features of the LP print service. Or, you might have a printer that does not quite fit into the way the LP print service handles printers.

You can customize the LP print service in the following ways:

• Adjust the printer port characteristics.

• Adjust the terminfo database.

• Customize the printer interface program.

• Create a print filter.

• Define a form.

For detailed descriptions and step-by-step instructions on customizing the LP print service, see Chapter 7, Customizing Printing Services and Printers (Tasks).