LPD on UNIX systems

Configure print queues for BSD-based systems

Edit the /etc/printcap file to include the following entries:

printer_nameshort_printer_name:\ :lp=:\

:rm=node_name:\

:rp=remote_printer_name_argument:\ :lf=/usr/spool/lpd/error_log_filename:\ :sd=/usr/spool/lpd/printer_name:

In the example, short_printer_name identifies the printer to the user, node_name identifies the printer on the network, and remote_printer_name_argument is the print queue designation (such as text, raw, binps, auto, or user-defined).

For more information on printcap, see the printcap man page.

Example: Printcap entries for ASCII or text printers

lj1_texttext1:\ :lp=:\ :rm=laserjet1:\ :rp=text:\ :lf=/usr/spool/lpd/lj1_text.log:\ :sd=/usr/spool/lpd/lj1_text:

Example: Printcap entries for postScript, PCL, or HP-GL/2 printers

lj1_rawraw1:\ :lp=:\ :rm=laserjet1:\ :rp=raw:\ :lf=/usr/spool/lpd/lj1_raw.log:\ :sd=/usr/spool/lpd/lj1_raw:

If your printer does not support automatic switching between PostScript, PCL, and HP-GL/2 languages, use the printer's control panel (if available) to select the printer language or rely on the application to select the printer language via commands embedded in the print data.

Ensure users know the printer names, because they must enter the names on the command line when printing.

Create the spooling directory by entering the following at the root directory:

168 Appendix A LPD printing

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