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diff --git a/docs/docbook/projdoc/CUPS-printing.xml b/docs/docbook/projdoc/CUPS-printing.xml index 25d1ac6139..03d4ed8d4d 100644 --- a/docs/docbook/projdoc/CUPS-printing.xml +++ b/docs/docbook/projdoc/CUPS-printing.xml @@ -1,799 +1,5195 @@ <chapter id="CUPS-printing"> - <chapterinfo> - &author.jht; + <author> <firstname>Kurt</firstname><surname>Pfeifle</surname> <affiliation> - <address><email>kpfeifle@danka.de</email></address> + <orgname> Danka Deutschland GmbH </orgname> + <address><email>kpfeifle@danka.de</email></address> </affiliation> </author> - <pubdate> (25 March 2003) </pubdate> + <pubdate> (3 June 2003) </pubdate> </chapterinfo> -<title>CUPS Printing Support</title> +<title>CUPS Printing Support in Samba 3.0</title> <sect1> + <title>Introduction</title> - + +<sect2> +<title>Features and Benefits</title> + <para> -The Common Unix Print System (CUPS) has become very popular, but to many it is -a very mystical tool. There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding CUPS and how -it works. The result is seen in a large number of posting on the samba mailing lists -expressing frustration when MS Windows printers appear not to work with a CUPS -backr-end. +The Common Unix Print System (<ulink +url="http://www.cups.org/">CUPS</ulink>) has become very popular. All +big Linux distributions now ship it as their default printing +system. But to many it is still a very mystical tool. Normally it +"just works" (TM). People tend to regard it as a sort of "black box", +which they don't want to look into, as long as it works OK. But once +there is a little problem, they are in trouble to find out where to +start debugging it. Also, even the most recent and otherwise excellent +printed Samba documentation has only limited attention paid to CUPS +printing, leaving out important pieces or even writing plain wrong +things about it. This demands rectification. But before you dive into +this chapter, make sure that you don't forget to refer to the +"Classical Printing" chapter also. It contains a lot of information +that is relevant for CUPS too. </para> <para> -This is a good time to point out how CUPS can be used and what it does. CUPS is more -than just a print spooling system - it is a complete printer management system that -complies with HTTP and IPP protocols. It can be managed remotely via a web browser -and it can print using http and ipp protocols. +CUPS sports quite a few unique and powerful features. While their +basic functions may be grasped quite easily, they are also +new. Because they are different from other, more traditional printing +systems, it is best to try and not apply any prior knowledge about +printing upon this new system. Rather try to start understand CUPS +from the beginning. This documentation will lead you here to a +complete understanding of CUPS, if you study all of the material +contained. But lets start with the most basic things first. Maybe this +is all you need for now. Then you can skip most of the other +paragraphs. </para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Overview</title> + <para> -CUPS allows to creation of RAW printers (ie: NO file format translation) as well as -SMART printers (ie: CUPS does file format conversion as required for the printer). In -many ways this gives CUPS similar capabilities to the MS Windows print monitoring -system. Of course, if you are a CUPS advocate, you would agrue that CUPS is better! -In any case, let us now move on to explore how one may configure CUPS for interfacing -with MS Windows print clients via Samba. +CUPS is more than just a print spooling system. It is a complete +printer management system that complies with the new IPP +(<emphasis>Internet Printing Protocol</emphasis>). IPP is an industry +and IETF (<emphasis>Internet Engineering Task Force</emphasis>) +standard for network printing. Many of its functions can be managed +remotely (or locally) via a web browser (giving you a +platform-independent access to the CUPS print server). In addition it +has the traditional commandline and several more modern GUI interfaces +(GUI interfaces developed by 3rd parties, like KDE's +overwhelming <ulink +url="http://printing.kde.org/">KDEPrint</ulink>). </para> <para> -<ulink url="http://www.cups.org/">CUPS</ulink> is a newcomer in the UNIX printing scene, -which has convinced many people upon first trial already. However, it has quite a few -new features, which make it different from other, more traditional printing systems. +CUPS allows creation of "raw" printers (ie: NO print file +format translation) as well as "smart" printers (i.e. CUPS does +file format conversion as required for the printer). In many ways +this gives CUPS similar capabilities to the MS Windows print +monitoring system. Of course, if you are a CUPS advocate, you would +argue that CUPS is better! In any case, let us now move on to +explore how one may configure CUPS for interfacing with MS Windows +print clients via Samba. </para> - +</sect2> </sect1> <sect1> -<title>Configuring &smb.conf; for CUPS</title> +<title>Basic Configuration of CUPS support</title> <para> -Printing with CUPS in the most basic &smb.conf; -setup in Samba-3 only needs two settings: <command>printing = cups</command> and -<command>printcap = cups</command>. While CUPS itself doesn't need a printcap -anymore, the <filename>cupsd.conf</filename> configuration file knows two directives -(example: <command>Printcap /etc/printcap</command> and <command>PrintcapFormat -BSD</command>), which control if such a file should be created for the -convenience of third party applications. Make sure it is set! For details see -<command>man cupsd.conf</command> and other CUPS-related documentation. +Printing with CUPS in the most basic <filename>smb.conf</filename> +setup in Samba 3.0 (as was true for 2.2.x) only needs two +settings: <parameter>printing = cups</parameter> and <parameter>printcap += cups</parameter>. CUPS itself doesn't need a printcap file +anymore. However, the <filename>cupsd.conf</filename> configuration +file knows two related directives: they control if such a file should +be automatically created and maintained by CUPS for the convenience of +third party applications (example: <parameter>Printcap +/etc/printcap</parameter> and <parameter>PrintcapFormat +BSD</parameter>). These legacy programs often require the existence of +printcap file containing printernames or they will refuse to +print. Make sure CUPS is set to generate and maintain a printcap! For +details see <command>man cupsd.conf</command> and other CUPS-related +documentation, like the wealth of documents on your CUPS server +itself: <ulink +url="http://localhost:631/documentation.html">http://localhost:631/documentation.html</ulink>. </para> +<sect2> +<title>Linking of smbd with <filename>libcups.so</filename></title> + <para> -If SAMBA is compiled against libcups, then <command>printcap = cups</command> uses the -CUPS API to list printers, submit jobs, etc. Otherwise it maps to the System V commands -with an additional <parameter>-oraw</parameter> option for printing. On a Linux system, -you can use the <command>ldd</command> command to find out details (ldd may not be -present on other OS platforms, or its function may be embodied by a different command): +Samba has a very special relationship to CUPS. The reason is: Samba +can be compiled with CUPS library support. Most recent installations +have this support enabled, and per default CUPS linking is compiled +into smbd and other Samba binaries. Of course, you can use CUPS even +if Samba is not linked against <filename>libcups.so</filename> -- but +there are some differences in required or supported configuration +then. </para> <para> -<programlisting>transmeta:/home/kurt # ldd `which smbd` - libssl.so.0.9.6 => /usr/lib/libssl.so.0.9.6 (0x4002d000) - libcrypto.so.0.9.6 => /usr/lib/libcrypto.so.0.9.6 (0x4005a000) - libcups.so.2 => /usr/lib/libcups.so.2 (0x40123000) - libdl.so.2 => /lib/libdl.so.2 (0x401e8000) - libnsl.so.1 => /lib/libnsl.so.1 (0x401ec000) - libpam.so.0 => /lib/libpam.so.0 (0x40202000) - libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x4020b000) - /lib/ld-linux.so.2 => /lib/ld-linux.so.2 (0x40000000) -</programlisting></para> +If SAMBA is compiled against libcups, then <parameter>printcap = +cups</parameter> uses the CUPS API to list printers, submit jobs, +query queues, etc. Otherwise it maps to the System V commands with an +additional <command>-oraw</command> option for printing. On a Linux +system, you can use the <command>ldd</command> utility to find out +details (ldd may not be present on other OS platforms, or its function +may be embodied by a different command): +</para> + +<para><screen> + transmeta:/home/kurt # ldd `which smbd` + libssl.so.0.9.6 => /usr/lib/libssl.so.0.9.6 (0x4002d000) + libcrypto.so.0.9.6 => /usr/lib/libcrypto.so.0.9.6 (0x4005a000) + libcups.so.2 => /usr/lib/libcups.so.2 (0x40123000) + [....] +</screen></para> + +<para> +The line <computeroutput>libcups.so.2 => /usr/lib/libcups.so.2 +(0x40123000)</computeroutput> shows there is CUPS support compiled +into this version of Samba. If this is the case, and printing = cups +is set, then <emphasis>any otherwise manually set print command in +<filename>smb.conf</filename> is ignored</emphasis>. This is an +important point to remember! +</para> + +<tip><para> Should you require -- for any reason -- to set your own +print commands, you can still do this by setting <parameter>printing = +sysv</parameter>. However, you'll loose all the benefits from the +close CUPS/Samba integration. You are on your own then to manually +configure the rest of the printing system commands (most important: +<parameter>print command</parameter>; other commands are +<parameter>lppause command, lpresume command, lpq command, lprm +command, queuepause command </parameter> and <parameter>queue resume +command</parameter>).</para></tip> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Simple <filename>smb.conf</filename> Settings for CUPS</title> <para> -The line "libcups.so.2 => /usr/lib/libcups.so.2 -(0x40123000)" shows there is CUPS support compiled into this version of -Samba. If this is the case, and <command>printing = cups</command> is set, then any -otherwise manually set print command in &smb.conf; is ignored. +To summarize, here is the simplest printing-related setup +for<filename>smb.conf</filename> to enable basic CUPS support: </para> + +<para><screen> + + [global] + load printers = yes + printing = cups + printcap name = cups + + [printers] + comment = All Printers + path = /var/spool/samba + browseable = no + public = yes + guest ok = yes + writable = no + printable = yes + printer admin = root, @ntadmins + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This is all you need for basic printing setup for CUPS. It will print +all Graphic, Text, PDF and PostScript file submitted from Windows +clients. However, most of your Windows users would not know how to +send these kind of files to print without opening a GUI +application. Windows clients tend to have local printer drivers +installed. And the GUI application's print buttons start a printer +driver. Your users also very rarely send files from the command +line. Unlike UNIX clients, they hardly submit graphic, text or PDF +formatted files directly to the spooler. They nearly exclusively print +from GUI applications, with a "printer driver" hooked in between the +applications native format and the print data stream. If the backend +printer is not a PostScript device, the print data stream is "binary", +sensible only for the target printer. Read on to learn which problem +this may cause and how to avoid it. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>More complex <filename>smb.conf</filename> Settings for +CUPS</title> + +<para> +Here is a slightly more complex printing-related setup +for<filename>smb.conf</filename>. It enables general CUPS printing +support for all printers, but defines one printer share which is set +up differently. +</para> + +<para><screen> +<![CDATA[ + [global] + printing = cups + printcap name = cups + load printers = yes + + [printers] + comment = All Printers + path = /var/spool/samba + public = yes + guest ok = yes + writable = no + printable = yes + printer admin = root, @ntadmins + + [special_printer] + comment = A special printer with his own settings + path = /var/spool/samba-special + printing = sysv + printcap = lpstat + print command = echo "NEW: `date`: printfile %f" >> /tmp/smbprn.log ;\ + echo " `date`: p-%p s-%s f-%f" >> /tmp/smbprn.log ;\ + echo " `date`: j-%j J-%J z-%z c-%c" >> /tmp/smbprn.log :\ + rm %f + public = no + guest ok = no + writeable = no + printable = yes + printer admin = kurt + hosts deny = 0.0.0.0 + hosts allow = turbo_xp, 10.160.50.23, 10.160.51.60 +]]> +</screen></para> + +<para> +This special share is only there for my testing purposes. It doesn't +even write the printjob to a file. It just logs the job parameters +known to Samba into the <filename>/tmp/smbprn.log</filename> file and +deletes the jobfile. Moreover, the <parameter>printer +admin</parameter> of this share is "kurt" (not the "@ntadmins" group); +guest access is not allowed; the share isn't announced in Network +Neighbourhood (so you need to know it is there), and it is only +allowing access from three hosts. To prevent CUPS kicking in and +taking over the print jobs for that share, we need to set +<parameter>printing = sysv</parameter> and <parameter>printcap = +lpstat</parameter>. +</para> +</sect2> </sect1> <sect1> -<title>CUPS - RAW Print Through Mode</title> +<title>Advanced Configuration</title> -<note> <para> -When used in raw print through mode is will be necessary to use the printer -vendor's drivers in each Windows client PC. +Before we dive into all the configuration options, let's clarify a few +points. <emphasis>Network printing needs to be organized and setup +correctly</emphasis>. Often this is not done correctly. Legacy systems +or small LANs in business environments often lack a clear design and +good housekeeping. </para> -</note> + +<sect2> +<title>Central spooling vs. "Peer-to-Peer" printing</title> + +<para> +Many small office or home networks, as well as badly organized larger +environments, allow each client a direct access to available network +printers. Generally, this is a bad idea. It often blocks one client's +access to the printer when another client's job is printing. It also +might freeze the first client's application while it is waiting to get +rid of the job. Also, there are frequent complaints about various jobs +being printed with their pages mixed with each other. A better concept +is the usage of a "print server": it routes all jobs through one +central system, which responds immediately, takes jobs from multiple +concurrent clients at the same time and in turn transfers them to the +printer(s) in the correct order. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>CUPS/Samba as a "spooling-only" Print Server; "raw" printing +with Vendor Drivers on Windows Clients</title> <para> -When CUPS printers are configured for RAW print-through mode operation it is the -responsibility of the Samba client to fully render the print job (file) in a format -that is suitable for direct delivery to the printer. In this case CUPS will NOT -do any print file format conversion work. +Most traditionally configured Unix print servers acting on behalf of +Samba's Windows clients represented a really simple setup. Their only +task was to manage the "raw" spooling of all jobs handed to them by +Samba. This approach meant that the Windows clients were expected to +prepare the printjob file in such a way that it became fit to be fed to +the printing device. Here a native (vendor-supplied) Windows printer +driver for the target device needed to be installed on each and every +client. </para> <para> -The CUPS files that need to be correctly set for RAW mode printers to work are: +Of course you can setup CUPS, Samba and your Windows clients in the +same, traditional and simple way. When CUPS printers are configured +for RAW print-through mode operation it is the responsibility of the +Samba client to fully render the print job (file). The file must be +sent in a format that is suitable for direct delivery to the +printer. Clients need to run the vendor-provided drivers to do +this. In this case CUPS will NOT do any print file format conversion +work. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Driver Installation Methods on Windows Clients</title> + +<para> +The printer drivers on the Windows clients may be installed +in two functionally different ways: +</para> <itemizedlist> - <listitem><para><filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename></para></listitem> - <listitem><para><filename>/etc/cups/mime.convs</filename></para></listitem> +<listitem><para>manually install the drivers locally on each client, +one by one; this yields the old <emphasis>LanMan</emphasis> style +printing; it uses a <filename>\\sambaserver\printershare</filename> +type of connection.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>deposit and prepare the drivers (for later download) on +the print server (Samba); this enables the clients to use +"Point'n'Print" to get drivers semi-automatically installed the +first time they access the printer; with this method NT/2K/XP +clients use the <emphasis>SPOOLSS/MS-RPC</emphasis> +type printing calls.</para></listitem> </itemizedlist> -Both contain entries that must be uncommented to allow <emphasis>RAW</emphasis> mode -operation. +<para> +The second method is recommended for use over the first. </para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Explicitly enable "raw" printing for +<emphasis>application/octet-stream</emphasis>!</title> <para> -Firstly, to enable CUPS based printing from Samba the following options must be -enabled in your &smb.conf; file [globals] section: +If you use the first option (drivers are installed on the client +side), there is one setting to take care of: CUPS needs to be told +that it should allow "raw" printing of deliberate (binary) file +formats. The CUPS files that need to be correctly set for RAW mode +printers to work are: +</para> <itemizedlist> - <listitem><para>printing = CUPS</para></listitem> +<listitem><para>/etc/cups/mime.types +</para></listitem> - <listitem><para>printcap = CUPS</para></listitem> +<listitem><para>/etc/cups/mime.convs</para></listitem> </itemizedlist> -When these parameters are specified the print directives in &smb.conf; (as well as in -samba itself) will be ignored because samba will directly interface with CUPS through -it's application program interface (API) - so long as Samba has been compiled with -CUPS library (libcups) support. If samba has NOT been compiled with CUPS support then -printing will use the System V AT&T command set with the <emphasis>-oraw</emphasis> -option automatically passing through. +<para> +Both contain entries (at the end of the respective files) which must +be uncommented to allow RAW mode operation. +In<filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename> make sure this line is +present: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/octet-stream + +</screen></para> + +<para> +In <filename>/etc/cups/mime.convs</filename>, +have this line: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/octet-stream application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - + +</screen></para> + +<para> +If these two files are not set up correctly for raw Windows client +printing, you may encounter the dreaded <computeroutput>Unable to +convert file 0</computeroutput> in your CUPS error_log file. +</para> + +<note><para>editing the <filename>mime.convs</filename> and the +<filename>mime.types</filename> file does not +<emphasis>enforce</emphasis> "raw" printing, it only +<emphasis>allows</emphasis> it. +</para></note> + +<formalpara><title>Background</title> + +<para> +CUPS being a more security-aware printing system than traditional ones +does not by default allow a user to send deliberate (possibly binary) +data to printing devices. This could be easily abused to launch a +"Denial of Service" attack on your printer(s), causing at the least +the loss of a lot of paper and ink. "Unknown" data are tagged by CUPS +as <emphasis>MIME type: application/octet-stream</emphasis> and not +allowed to go to the printer. By default, you can only send other +(known) MIME types "raw". Sending data "raw" means that CUPS does not +try to convert them and passes them to the printer untouched (see next +chapter for even more background explanations). +</para> +</formalpara> + +<para> +This is all you need to know to get the CUPS/Samba combo printing +"raw" files prepared by Windows clients, which have vendor drivers +locally installed. If you are not interested in background information about +more advanced CUPS/Samba printing, simply skip the remaining sections +of this chapter. </para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Three familiar Methods for driver upload plus a new one</title> <para> -Cupsomatic (an enhanced printing utility that is part of some CUPS implementations) -on the Samba/CUPS server does *not* add any features if a file is really -printed "raw". However, if you have loaded the driver for the Windows client from -the CUPS server, using the "cupsaddsmb" utility, and if this driver is one using -a "Foomatic" PPD, the PJL header in question is already added on the Windows client, -at the time when the driver initially generated the PostScript data and CUPS in true -"-oraw" manner doesn't remove this PJL header and passes the file "as is" to its -printer communication backend. +If you want to use the MS-RPC type printing, you must upload the +drivers onto the Samba server first (<parameter>[print$]</parameter> +share). For a discussion on how to deposit printer drivers on the +Samba host (so that the Windows clients can download and use them via +"Point'n'Print") please also refer to the previous chapter of this +HOWTO Collection. There you will find a description or reference to +three methods of preparing the client drivers on the Samba server: </para> -<note><para>NOTE: editing in the "mime.convs" and the "mime.types" file does not *enforce* -"raw" printing, it only *allows* it.</para></note> +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>the GUI, "Add Printer Wizard" +<emphasis>upload-from-a-Windows-client</emphasis> +method;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the commandline, "smbclient/rpcclient" +<emphasis>upload-from-a-UNIX-workstation</emphasis> +method;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the <emphasis>Imprints</emphasis> Toolset +method.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> <para> -Print files that arrive from MS Windows printing are "auto-typed" by CUPS. This aids -the process of determining proper treatment while in the print queue system. +These 3 methods apply to CUPS all the same. A new and more +convenient way to load the Windows drivers into Samba is provided +provided if you use CUPS: +</para> <itemizedlist> - <listitem><para> - Files generated by PCL drivers and directed at PCK printers get auto-typed as - <filename>application/octet-stream</filename>. Unknown file format types also - get auto-typed with this tag. - </para></listitem> - - <listitem><para> - Files generated by a Postscript driver and directed at a Postscript printer - are auto-typed depending on the auto-detected most suitable MIME type as: - - <itemizedlist> - <listitem><para>* application/postscript</para></listitem> - <listitem><para>* application/vnd.cups-postscript</para></listitem> - </itemizedlist> - </para> - </listitem> +<listitem><para>the <emphasis>cupsaddsmb</emphasis> +utility.</para></listitem> </itemizedlist> + +<para> +cupsaddsmb is discussed in much detail further below. But we will +first explore the CUPS filtering system and compare the Windows and +UNIX printing architectures. +</para> +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>Using CUPS/Samba in an advanced Way -- intelligent printing +with PostScript Driver Download</title> + +<para> +Still reading on? Good. Let's go into more detail then. We now know +how to set up a "dump" printserver, that is, a server which is spooling +printjobs "raw", leaving the print data untouched. </para> +<para> +Possibly you need to setup CUPS in a more smart way. The reasons could +be manifold: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>Maybe your boss wants to get monthly statistics: Which +printer did how many pages? What was the average data size of a job? +What was the average print run per day? What are the typical hourly +peaks in printing? Which departments prints how +much?</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Maybe you are asked to setup a print quota system: +users should not be able to print more jobs, once they have surpassed +a given limit per period?</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Maybe your previous network printing setup is a mess +and shall be re-organized from a clean beginning?</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Maybe you have experiencing too many "Blue Screens", +originating from poorly debugged printer drivers running in NT "kernel +mode"?</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> <para> -"application/postscript" first goes thru the "pstops" filter (where the page counting -and accounting takes place). The outcome will be of MIME type -"application/vnd.cups-postscript". The pstopsfilter reads and uses information from -the PPD and inserts user-provided options into the PostScript file. As a consequence, -the filtered file could possibly have an unwanted PJL header. +These goals cannot be achieved by a raw print server. To build a +server meeting these requirements, you'll first need to learn about +how CUPS works and how you can enable its features. </para> <para> -"application/postscript" will be all files with a ".ps", ".ai", ".eps" suffix or which -have as their first character string one of "%!" or ">04<%". +What follows is the comparison of some fundamental concepts for +Windows and Unix printing; then is the time for a description of the +CUPS filtering system, how it works and how you can tweak it. </para> +<sect2> +<title>GDI on Windows -- PostScript on Unix</title> + <para> -"application/vnd.cups-postscript" will files which contain the string -"LANGUAGE=POSTSCRIPT" (or similar variations with different capitalization) in the -first 512 bytes, and also contain the "PJL super escape code" in the first 128 bytes -(">1B<%-12345X"). Very likely, most PostScript files generated on Windows using a CUPS -or other PPD, will have to be auto-typed as "vnd.cups-postscript". A file produced -with a "Generic PostScript driver" will just be tagged "application/postscript". +Network printing is one of the most complicated and error-prone +day-to-day tasks any user or an administrator may encounter. This is +true for all OS platforms. And there are reasons for this. </para> <para> -Once the file is in "application/vnd.cups-postscript" format, either "pstoraster" -or "cupsomatic" will take over (depending on the printer configuration, as -determined by the PPD in use). +You can't expect for most file formats to just throw them towards +printers and they get printed. There needs to be a file format +conversion in between. The problem is: there is no common standard for +print file formats across all manufacturers and printer types. While +<emphasis>PostScript</emphasis> (trademark held by Adobe), and to an +extend<emphasis>PCL</emphasis> (trademark held by HP), have developed +into semi-official "standards", by being the most widely used PDLs +(<emphasis>Page Description Languages</emphasis>), there are still +many manufacturers who "roll their own" (their reasons may be +unacceptable license fees for using printer-embedded PostScript +interpreters, etc.). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Windows Drivers, GDI and EMF</title> + +<para> +In Windows OS, the format conversion job is done by the printer +drivers. On MS Windows OS platforms all application programmers have +at their disposal a built-in API, the GDI (<emphasis>Graphical Device +Interface</emphasis>), as part and parcel of the OS itself, to base +themselves on. This GDI core is used as one common unified ground, for +all Windows programs, to draw pictures, fonts and documents +<emphasis>on screen</emphasis> as well as <emphasis>on +paper</emphasis> (=print). Therefore printer driver developers can +standardize on a well-defined GDI output for their own driver +input. Achieving WYSIWYG ("What You See Is What You Get") is +relatively easy, because the on-screen graphic primitives, as well as +the on-paper drawn objects, come from one common source. This source, +the GDI, produces often a file format called EMF (<emphasis>Enhanced +MetaFile</emphasis>). The EMF is processed by the printer driver and +converted to the printer-specific file format. </para> <note><para> -A printer queue with *no* PPD associated to it is a "raw" printer and all files -will go directly there as received by the spooler. The exeptions are file types -"application/octet-stream" which need "passthrough feature" enabled. -"Raw" queues don't do any filtering at all, they hand the file directly to the -CUPS backend. This backend is responsible for the sending of the data to the device -(as in the "device URI" notation as lpd://, socket://, smb://, ipp://, http://, -parallel:/, serial:/, usb:/ etc.) +To the GDI foundation in MS Windows, Apple has chosen to +put paper and screen output on a common foundation for their +(BSD-Unix-based, did you know??) Mac OS X and Darwin Operating +Systems.Their <emphasis>Core Graphic Engine</emphasis> uses a +<emphasis>PDF</emphasis> derivate for all display work. </para></note> -<note><para> -"cupsomatic"/Foomatic are *not* native CUPS drivers and they don't ship with CUPS. -They are a Third Party add-on, developed at Linuxprinting.org. As such, they are -a brilliant hack to make all models (driven by Ghostscript drivers/filters in -traditional spoolers) also work via CUPS, with the same (good or bad!) quality -as in these other spoolers. "cupsomatic" is only a vehicle to execute a ghostscript -commandline at that stage in the CUPS filtering chain, where "normally" the native -CUPS "pstoraster" filter would kick in. cupsomatic by-passes pstoraster, "kidnaps" -the printfile from CUPS away and re-directs it to go through Ghostscipt. CUPS accepts this, -because the associated CUPS-O-Matic-/Foomatic-PPD specifies: +<para> + +<figure><title>Windows Printing to a local Printer</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/1small.png"/> +</figure> </para> +</sect2> -<programlisting> - *cupsFilter: "application/vnd.cups-postscript 0 cupsomatic" -</programlisting> +<sect2> +<title>Unix Printfile Conversion and GUI Basics</title> <para> -This line persuades CUPS to hand the file to cupsomatic, once it has successfully -converted it to the MIME type "application/vnd.cups-postscript". This conversion will not -happen for Jobs arriving from Windows which are auto-typed "application/octet-stream", -with the according changes in "/etc/cups/mime.types" in place. -</para></note> +In Unix and Linux, there is no comparable layer built into the OS +kernel(s) or the X (screen display) server. Every application is +responsible for itself to create its print output. Fortunately, most +use PostScript. That gives at least some common ground. Unfortunately, +there are many different levels of quality for this PostScript. And +worse: there is a huge difference (and no common root) in the way how +the same document is displayed on screen and how it is presented on +paper. WYSIWYG is more difficult to achieve. This goes back to the +time decades ago, when the predecessors of <emphasis>X.org</emphasis>, +designing the UNIX foundations and protocols for Graphical User +Interfaces refused to take over responsibility for "paper output" +also, as some had demanded at the time, and restricted itself to +"on-screen only". (For some years now, the "Xprint" project has been +under development, attempting to build printing support into the X +framework, including a PostScript and a PCL driver, but it is not yet +ready for prime time.) You can see this unfavorable inheritance up to +the present day by looking into the various "font" directories on your +system; there are separate ones for fonts used for X display and fonts +to be used on paper. +</para> + +<formalpara> +<title>Background</title> <para> -CUPS is widely configurable and flexible, even regarding its filtering mechanism. -Another workaround in some situations would be to have -in "/etc/cups/mime.types" entries as follows: +The PostScript programming language is an "invention" by Adobe Inc., +but its specifications have been published to the full. Its strength +lies in its powerful abilities to describe graphical objects (fonts, +shapes, patterns, lines, curves, dots...), their attributes (color, +linewidth...) and the way to manipulate (scale, distort, rotate, +shift...) them. Because of its open specification, anybody with the +skill can start writing his own implementation of a PostScript +interpreter and use it to display PostScript files on screen or on +paper. Most graphical output devices are based on the concept of +"raster images" or "pixels" (one notable exception are pen +plotters). Of course, you can look at a PostScript file in its textual +form and you will be reading its PostScript code, the language +instructions which need to be interpreted by a rasterizer. Rasterizers +produce pixel images, which may be displayed on screen by a viewer +program or on paper by a printer. </para> +</formalpara> +</sect2> -<programlisting> - application/postscript application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - - application/vnd.cups-postscript application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - -</programlisting> +<sect2> +<title>PostScript and Ghostscript</title> <para> -This would prevent all Postscript files from being filtered (rather, they will go -thru the virtual "nullfilter" denoted with "-"). This could only be useful for -PS printers. If you want to print PS code on non-PS printers an entry as follows -could be useful: +So, Unix is lacking a common ground for printing on paper and +displaying on screen. Despite this unfavorable legacy for Unix, basic +printing is fairly easy: if you have PostScript printers at your +disposal! The reason is: these devices have a built-in PostScript +language "interpreter", also called a <emphasis>Raster Image +Processor</emphasis> (RIP), (which makes them more expensive than +other types of printers); throw PostScript towards them, and they will +spit out your printed pages. Their RIP is doing all the hard work of +converting the PostScript drawing commands into a bitmap picture as +you see it on paper, in a resolution as done by your printer. This is +no different to PostScript printing of a file from a Windows origin. </para> -<programlisting> - */* application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - -</programlisting> +<note><para>Traditional Unix programs and printing systems -- while +using PostScript -- are largely not PPD-aware. PPDs are "PostScript +Printer Description" files. They enable you to specify and control all +options a printer supports: duplexing, stapling, punching... Therefore +Unix users for a long time couldn't choose many of the supported +device and job options, unlike Windows or Apple users. But now there +is CUPS.... ;-) +</para> +</note> <para> -and would effectively send *all* files to the backend without further processing. +<figure><title>Printing to a Postscript Printer</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/2small.png"/> +</figure> </para> <para> -Lastly, you could have the following entry: +However, there are other types of printers out there. These don't know +how to print PostScript. They use their own <emphasis>Page Description +Language</emphasis> (PDL, often proprietary). To print to them is much +more demanding. Since your Unix applications mostly produce +PostScript, and since these devices don't understand PostScript, you +need to convert the printfiles to a format suitable for your printer +on the host, before you can send it away. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Ghostscript -- the Software RIP for non-PostScript Printers</title> + +<para> +Here is where<emphasis>Ghostscript</emphasis> kicks in. Ghostscript is +the traditional (and quite powerful) PostScript interpreter used on +Unix platforms. It is a RIP in software, capable to do a +<emphasis>lot</emphasis> of file format conversions, for a very broad +spectrum of hardware devices as well as software file formats. +Ghostscript technology and drivers is what enables PostScript printing +to non-PostScript hardware. </para> -<programlisting> - application/vnd.cups-postscript application/vnd.cups-raw 0 my_PJL_stripping_filter -</programlisting> +<para> +<figure><title>Ghostscript as a RIP for non-postscript printers</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/3small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> + +<tip><para> +Use the "gs -h" command to check for all built-in "devices" of your +Ghostscript version. If you specify e.g. a parameter of +<parameter>-sDEVICE=png256</parameter> on your Ghostscript command +line, you are asking Ghostscript to convert the input into a PNG +file. Naming a "device" on the commandline is the most important +single parameter to tell Ghostscript how exactly it should render the +input. New Ghostscript versions are released at fairly regular +intervals, now by artofcode LLC. They are initially put under the +"AFPL" license, but re-released under the GNU GPL as soon as the next +AFPL version appears. GNU Ghostscript is probably the version +installed on most Samba systems. But it has got some +deficiencies. Therefore ESP Ghostscript was developed as an +enhancement over GNU Ghostscript, with lots of bug-fixes, additional +devices and improvements. It is jointly maintained by developers from +CUPS, Gimp-Print, MandrakeSoft, SuSE, RedHat and Debian. It includes +the "cups" device (essential to print to non-PS printers from CUPS). +</para></tip> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>PostScript Printer Description (PPD) Specification</title> + +<para> +While PostScript in essence is a <emphasis>Page Description +Language</emphasis> (PDL) to represent the page layout in a +<emphasis>device independent</emphasis> way, real world print jobs are +always ending up to be output on a hardware with device-specific +features. To take care of all the differences in hardware, and to +allow for innovations, Adobe has specified a syntax and file format +for <emphasis>PostScript Printer Description</emphasis> (PPD) +files. Every PostScript printer ships with one of these files. +</para> + +<para> +PPDs contain all information about general and special features of the +given printer model: Which different resolutions can it handle? Does +it have a Duplexing Unit? How many paper trays are there? What media +types and sizes does it take? For each item it also names the special +command string to be sent to the printer (mostly inside the PostScript +file) in order to enable it. +</para> <para> -You will need to write a "my_PJL_stripping_filter" (could be a shellscript) that -parses the PostScript and removes the unwanted PJL. This would need to conform to -CUPS filter design (mainly, receive and pass the parameters printername, job-id, -username, jobtitle, copies, print options and possibly the filename). It would -be installed as world executable into "/usr/lib/cups/filters/" and will be called -by CUPS if it encounters a MIME type "application/vnd.cups-postscript". +Information from these PPDs is meant to be taken into account by the +printer drivers. Therefore, installed as part of the Windows +PostScript driver for a given printer is the printer's PPD. Where it +makes sense, the PPD features are presented in the drivers' UI dialogs +to display to the user as choice of print options. In the end, the +user selections are somehow written (in the form of special +PostScript, PJL, JCL or vendor-dependent commands) into the PostScript +file created by the driver. </para> +<warning><para> +A PostScript file that was created to contain device-specific commands +for achieving a certain print job output (e.g. duplexed, stapled and +punched) on a specific target machine, may not print as expected, or +may not be printable at all on other models; it also may not be fit +for further processing by software (e.g. by a PDF distilling program). +</para></warning> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>CUPS can use all Windows-formatted Vendor PPDs</title> + <para> -CUPS can handle "-o job-hold-until=indefinite". This keeps the job in the queue -"on hold". It will only be printed upon manual release by the printer operator. -This is a requirement in many "central reproduction departments", where a few -operators manage the jobs of hundreds of users on some big machine, where no -user is allowed to have direct access. (The operators often need to load the -proper paper type before running the 10.000 page job requested by marketing -for the mailing, etc.). +CUPS can handle all spec-compliant PPDs as supplied by the +manufacturers for their PostScript models. Even if a +Unix/Linux-illiterate vendor might not have mentioned our favorite +OS in his manuals and brochures -- you can safely trust this: +<emphasis>if you get hold of the Windows NT version of the PPD, you +can use it unchanged in CUPS</emphasis> and thus access the full +power of your printer just like a Windows NT user could! </para> +<tip><para> +To check the spec compliance of any PPD online, go to <ulink +url="http://www.cups.org/testppd.php">http://www.cups.org/testppd.php</ulink> +and upload your PPD. You will see the results displayed +immediately. CUPS in all versions after 1.1.19 has a much more strict +internal PPD parsing and checking code enabled; in case of printing +trouble this online resource should be one of your first pitstops. +</para></tip> + +<warning><para> +For real PostScript printers <emphasis>don't</emphasis> use the +<emphasis>Foomatic</emphasis> or <emphasis>cupsomatic</emphasis> +PPDs from Linuxprinting.org. With these devices the original +vendor-provided PPDs are always the first choice! +</para></warning> + +<tip><para> +If you are looking for an original vendor-provided PPD of a specific +device, and you know that an NT4 box (or any other Windows box) on +your LAN has the PostScript driver installed, just use +<command>smbclient //NT4-box/print\$ -U username</command> to +access the Windows directory where all printer driver files are +stored. First look in the <filename>W32X86/2</filename> subdir for +the PPD you are seeking. +</para></tip> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>CUPS also uses PPDs for non-PostScript Printers</title> + +<para> +CUPS also uses specially crafted PPDs to handle non-PostScript +printers. These PPDs are usually not available from the vendors (and +no, you can't just take the PPD of a Postscript printer with the same +model name and hope it works for the non-PostScript version too). To +understand how these PPDs work for non-PS printers we first need to +dive deeply into the CUPS filtering and file format conversion +architecture. Stay tuned. +</para> +</sect2> </sect1> <sect1> -<title>CUPS as a network PostScript RIP</title> +<title>The CUPS Filtering Architecture</title> <para> -This is the configuration where CUPS drivers are working on server, and where the -Adobe PostScript driver with CUPS-PPDs is downloaded to clients. +The core of the CUPS filtering system is based on +<emphasis>Ghostscript</emphasis>. In addition to Ghostscript, CUPS +uses some other filters of its own. You (or your OS vendor) may have +plugged in even more filters. CUPS handles all data file formats under +the label of various <emphasis>MIME types</emphasis>. Every incoming +printfile is subjected to an initial +<emphasis>auto-typing</emphasis>. The auto-typing determines its given +MIME type. A given MIME type implies zero or more possible filtering +chains relevant to the selected target printer. This section discusses +how MIME types recognition and conversion rules interact. They are +used by CUPS to automatically setup a working filtering chain for any +given input data format. </para> <para> -CUPS is perfectly able to use PPD files (PostScript -Printer Descriptions). PPDs can control all print device options. They -are usually provided by the manufacturer -- if you own a PostSript printer, -that is. PPD files are always a component of PostScript printer drivers on MS -Windows or Apple Mac OS systems. They are ASCII files containing -user-selectable print options, mapped to appropriate PostScript, PCL or PJL -commands for the target printer. Printer driver GUI dialogs translate these -options "on-the-fly" into buttons and drop-down lists for the user to -select. +If CUPS rasterizes a PostScript file <emphasis>natively</emphasis> to +a bitmap, this is done in 2 stages: </para> +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>the first stage uses a Ghostscript device named "cups" +(this is since version 1.1.15) and produces a generic raster format +called "CUPS raster". +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the second stage uses a "raster driver" which converts +the generic CUPS raster to a device specific raster.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + <para> -CUPS can load, without any conversions, the PPD file from -any Windows (NT is recommended) PostScript driver and handle the options. -There is a web browser interface to the print options (select -http://localhost:631/printers/ and click on one "Configure Printer" button -to see it), a commandline interface (see <command>man lpoptions</command> or -try if you have <command>lphelp</command> on your system) plus some different GUI frontends on Linux -UNIX, which can present PPD options to the users. PPD options are normally -meant to become evaluated by the PostScript RIP on the real PostScript -printer. +Make sure your Ghostscript version has the "cups" device compiled in +(check with <command>gs -h | grep cups</command>). Otherwise you +may encounter the dreaded <computeroutput>Unable to convert file +0</computeroutput> in your CUPS error_log file. To have "cups" as a +device in your Ghostscript, you either need to <emphasis>patch GNU +Ghostscript</emphasis> and re-compile or use <ulink +url="http://www.cups.org/ghostscript.php">ESP Ghostscript</ulink>. The +superior alternative is ESP Ghostscript: it supports not just CUPS, +but 300 other devices too (while GNU Ghostscript supports only about +180). Because of this broad output device support, ESP Ghostscript is +the first choice for non-CUPS spoolers too. It is now recommended by +Linuxprinting.org for all spoolers. +</para> + +<para> +CUPS printers may be setup to use <emphasis>external</emphasis> +rendering paths. One of the most common ones is provided by the +<emphasis>Foomatic/cupsomatic</emphasis> concept, from <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/">Linuxprinting.org</ulink>. This +uses the classical Ghostscript approach, doing everything in one +step. It doesn't use the "cups" device, but one of the many +others. However, even for Foomatic/cupsomatic usage, best results and +broadest printer model support is provided by ESP Ghostscript (more +about cupsomatic/Foomatic, particularly the new version called now +<emphasis>foomatic-rip</emphasis>, follows below). </para> +<sect2> +<title>MIME types and CUPS Filters</title> + <para> -CUPS doesn't stop at "real" PostScript printers in its -usage of PPDs. The CUPS developers have extended the PPD concept, to also -describe available device and driver options for non-PostScript printers -through CUPS-PPDs. +CUPS reads the file <filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename> +(and all other files carrying a <filename>*.types</filename> suffix +in the same directory) upon startup. These files contain the MIME +type recognition rules which are applied when CUPS runs its +auto-typing routines. The rule syntax is explained in the man page +for <filename>mime.types</filename> and in the comments section of the +<filename>mime.types</filename> file itself. A simple rule reads +like this: </para> +<para><screen> + + application/pdf pdf string(0,%PDF) + +</screen></para> + <para> -This is logical, as CUPS includes a fully featured -PostScript interpreter (RIP). This RIP is based on Ghostscript. It can -process all received PostScript (and additionally many other file formats) -from clients. All CUPS-PPDs geared to non-PostScript printers contain an -additional line, starting with the keyword <parameter>*cupsFilter</parameter>. -This line -tells the CUPS print system which printer-specific filter to use for the -interpretation of the accompanying PostScript. Thus CUPS lets all its -printers appear as PostScript devices to its clients, because it can act as a -PostScript RIP for those printers, processing the received PostScript code -into a proper raster print format. +This means: if a filename has either a +<filename>.pdf</filename> suffix, or if the magic +string <emphasis>%PDF</emphasis> is right at the +beginning of the file itself (offset 0 from the start), then it is +a PDF file (<emphasis>application/pdf</emphasis>). +Another rule is this: </para> +<para><screen> + + application/postscript ai eps ps string(0,%!) string(0,<04>%!) + +</screen></para> + <para> -CUPS-PPDs can also be used on Windows-Clients, on top of a -PostScript driver (recommended is the Adobe one). +Its meaning: if the filename has one of the suffixes +<filename>.ai</filename>, <filename>.eps</filename>, +<filename>.ps</filename> or if the file itself starts with one of the +strings <emphasis>%!</emphasis> or <emphasis><![CDATA[<04>%!]]></emphasis>, it +is a generic PostScript file +(<emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis>). +</para> + +<note><para> +There is a very important difference between two similar MIME type in +CUPS: one is <emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis>, the other is +<emphasis>application/vnd.cups-postscript</emphasis>. While +<emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis> is meant to be device +independent (job options for the file are still outside the PS file +content, embedded in commandline or environment variables by CUPS), +<emphasis>application/vnd.cups-postscript</emphasis> may have the job +options inserted into the PostScript data itself (were +applicable). The transformation of the generic PostScript +(application/postscript) to the device-specific version +(application/vnd.cups-postscript) is the responsibility of the +CUPS <emphasis>pstops</emphasis> filter. pstops uses information +contained in the PPD to do the transformation. +</para></note> + +<warning><para> +Don't confuse the other mime.types file your system might be using +with the one in the <filename>/etc/cups/</filename> directory. +</para></warning> + +<para> +CUPS can handle ASCII text, HP-GL, PDF, PostScript, DVI and a +lot of image formats (GIF. PNG, TIFF, JPEG, Photo-CD, SUN-Raster, +PNM, PBM, SGI-RGB and some more) and their associated MIME types +with its filters. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>MIME type Conversion Rules</title> + +<para> +CUPS reads the file <filename>/etc/cups/mime.convs</filename> +(and all other files named with a <filename>*.convs</filename> +suffix in the same directory) upon startup. These files contain +lines naming an input MIME type, an output MIME type, a format +conversion filter which can produce the output from the input type +and virtual costs associated with this conversion. One example line +reads like this: </para> +<para><screen> + + application/pdf application/postscript 33 pdftops + +</screen></para> + <para> -This feature enables CUPS to do a few tricks no other -spooler can do: +This means that the <emphasis>pdftops</emphasis> filter will take +<emphasis>application/pdf</emphasis> as input and produce +<emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis> as output, the virtual +cost of this operation is 33 CUPS-$. The next filter is more +expensive, costing 66 CUPS-$: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/vnd.hp-HPGL application/postscript 66 hpgltops + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This is the <emphasis>hpgltops</emphasis>, which processes HP-GL +plotter files to PostScript. +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/octet-stream + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Here are two more examples: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/x-shell application/postscript 33 texttops + text/plain application/postscript 33 texttops + +</screen></para> + +<para> +The last two examples name the <emphasis>texttops</emphasis> filter +to work on "text/plain" as well as on "application/x-shell". (Hint: +this differentiation is needed for the syntax highlighting feature of +"texttops"). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Filter Requirements</title> + +<para> +There are many more combinations named in mime.convs. However, you +are not limited to use the ones pre-defined there. You can plug in any +filter you like into the CUPS framework. It must meet, or must be made +to meet some minimal requirements. If you find (or write) a cool +conversion filter of some kind, make sure it complies to what CUPS +needs, and put in the right lines in <filename>mime.types</filename> +and <filename>mime.convs</filename>, then it will work seamlessly +inside CUPS! +</para> + +<tip><para> +The mentioned "CUPS requirements" for filters are simple. Take +filenames or <filename>stdin</filename> as input and write to +<filename>stdout</filename>. They should take these 5 or 6 arguments: +<emphasis>printer job user title copies options [filename]</emphasis> +</para> + +<variablelist> +<varlistentry><term>Printer</term> +<listitem><para>The name of the printer queue (normally this is the +name of the filter being run)</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>job</term> +<listitem><para>The numeric job ID for the job being +printed</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Printer</term> +<listitem><para>The string from the originating-user-name +attribute</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Printer</term> +<listitem><para>The string from the job-name attribute</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Printer</term> +<listitem><para>The numeric value from the number-copies +attribute</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Printer</term> +<listitem><para>The job options</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Printer</term> +<listitem><para>(Optionally) The print request file (if missing, +filters expected data fed through <filename>stdin</filename>). In most +cases it is very easy to write a simple wrapper script around existing +filters to make them work with CUPS.</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> +</variablelist> +</tip> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Prefilters</title> + +<para> +As was said, PostScript is the central file format to any Unix based +printing system. From PostScript, CUPS generates raster data to feed +non-PostScript printers. +</para> + +<para> +But what is happening if you send one of the supported non-PS formats +to print? Then CUPS runs "pre-filters" on these input formats to +generate PostScript first. There are pre-filters to create PS from +ASCII text, PDF, DVI or HP-GL. The outcome of these filters is always +of MIME type <emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis> (meaning that +any device-specific print options are not yet embedded into the +PostScript by CUPS, and that the next filter to be called is +pstops). Another pre-filter is running on all supported image formats, +the <emphasis>imagetops</emphasis> filter. Its outcome is always of +MIME type <emphasis>application/vnd.cups-postscript</emphasis> +(<emphasis>not</emphasis> application/postscript), meaning it has the +print options already embedded into the file. +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Prefiltering in CUPS to form Postscript</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/4small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>pstops</title> + +<para> +<emphasis>pstops</emphasis>is the filter to convert +<emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis> to +<emphasis>application/vnd.cups-postscript</emphasis>. It was said +above that this filter inserts all device-specific print options +(commands to the printer to ask for the duplexing of output, or +stapling an punching it, etc.) into the PostScript file. +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Adding Device-specific Print Options</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/5small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> + +<para> +This is not all: other tasks performed by it are: </para> <itemizedlist> - <listitem><para>act as a networked PostScript RIP (Raster Image Processor), handling - printfiles from all client platforms in a uniform way;</para></listitem> - <listitem><para>act as a central accounting and billing server, as all files are passed - through the <command>pstops</command> Filter and are therefor logged in - the CUPS <filename>page_log</filename>. - <emphasis>NOTE: </emphasis>this - can not happen with "raw" print jobs, which always remain unfiltered - per definition;</para></listitem> - <listitem><para>enable clients to consolidate on a single PostScript driver, even for - many different target printers.</para></listitem> +<listitem><para> +selecting the range of pages to be printed (if you choose to +print only pages "3, 6, 8-11, 16, 19-21", or only the odd numbered +ones) +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +putting 2 or more logical pages on one sheet of paper (the +so-called "number-up" function) +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>counting the pages of the job to insert the accounting +information into the <filename>/var/log/cups/page_log</filename> +</para></listitem> </itemizedlist> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>pstoraster</title> + +<para> +<emphasis>pstoraster</emphasis> is at the core of the CUPS filtering +system. It is responsible for the first stage of the rasterization +process. Its input is of MIME type application/vnd.cups-postscript; +its output is application/vnd.cups-raster. This output format is not +yet meant to be printable. Its aim is to serve as a general purpose +input format for more specialized <emphasis>raster drivers</emphasis>, +that are able to generate device-specific printer data. +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Postscript to intermediate Raster format</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/6small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> + +<para> +CUPS raster is a generic raster format with powerful features. It is +able to include per-page information, color profiles and more to be +used by the following downstream raster drivers. Its MIME type is +registered with IANA and its specification is of course completely +open. It is designed to make it very easy and inexpensive for +manufacturers to develop Linux and Unix raster drivers for their +printer models, should they choose to do so. CUPS always takes care +for the first stage of rasterization so these vendors don't need to care +about Ghostscript complications (in fact, there is currently more +than one vendor financing the development of CUPS raster drivers). +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>CUPS-raster production using Ghostscript</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/7small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> + +<para> +CUPS versions before version 1.1.15 were shipping a binary (or source +code) standalone filter, named "pstoraster". pstoraster was derived +from GNU Ghostscript 5.50, and could be installed besides and in +addition to any GNU or AFPL Ghostscript package without conflicting. +</para> + +<para> +From version 1.1.15, this has changed. The functions for this has been +integrated back into Ghostscript (now based on GNU Ghostscript version +7.05). The "pstoraster" filter is now a simple shell script calling +<command>gs</command> with the <command>-sDEVICE=cups</command> +parameter. If your Ghostscript doesn't show a success on asking for +<command>gs -h |grep cups</command>, you might not be able to +print. Update your Ghostscript then! +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>imagetops and imagetoraster</title> + +<para> +Above in the section about prefilters, we mentioned the prefilter +that generates PostScript from image formats. The imagetoraster +filter is used to convert directly from image to raster, without the +intermediate PostScript stage. It is used more often than the above +mentioned prefilters. Here is a summarizing flowchart of image file +filtering: +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Image format to CUPS-raster format conversion</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/8small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> + +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>rasterto [printerspecific]</title> + +<para> +CUPS ships with quite some different raster drivers processing CUPS +raster. On my system I find in /usr/lib/cups/filter/ these: +<parameter>rastertoalps, rastertobj, rastertoepson, rastertoescp, +rastertopcl, rastertoturboprint, rastertoapdk, rastertodymo, +rastertoescp, rastertohp</parameter> and +<parameter>rastertoprinter</parameter>. Don't worry if you have less +than this; some of these are installed by commercial add-ons to CUPS +(like <parameter>rastertoturboprint</parameter>), others (like +<parameter>rastertoprinter</parameter>) by 3rd party driver +development projects (such as Gimp-Print) wanting to cooperate as +closely as possible with CUPS. +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Raster to Printer Specific formats</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/9small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>CUPS Backends</title> + +<para> +The last part of any CUPS filtering chain is a "backend". Backends +are special programs that send the print-ready file to the final +device. There is a separate backend program for any transfer +"protocol" of sending printjobs over the network, or for every local +interface. Every CUPS printqueue needs to have a CUPS "device-URI" +associated with it. The device URI is the way to encode the backend +used to send the job to its destination. Network device-URIs are using +two slashes in their syntax, local device URIs only one, as you can +see from the following list. Keep in mind that local interface names +may vary much from my examples, if your OS is not Linux: +</para> + +<variablelist> +<varlistentry><term>usb</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to USB-connected printers. An +example for the CUPS device-URI to use is: +<filename>usb:/dev/usb/lp0</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>serial</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to serially connected printers. +An example for the CUPS device-URI to use is: +<filename>serial:/dev/ttyS0?baud=11500</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>parallel</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to printers connected to the +parallel port. An example for the CUPS device-URI to use is: +<filename>parallel:/dev/lp0</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>scsi</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to printers attached to the +SCSI interface. An example for the CUPS device-URI to use is: +<filename>scsi:/dev/sr1</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>lpd</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to LPR/LPD connected network +printers. An example for the CUPS device-URI to use is: +<filename>lpd://remote_host_name/remote_queue_name</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>AppSocket/HP JetDirect</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to AppSocket (a.k.a. "HP +JetDirect") connected network printers. An example for the CUPS +device-URI to use is: +<filename>socket://10.11.12.13:9100</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>ipp</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to IPP connected network +printers (or to other CUPS servers). Examples for CUPS device-URIs +to use are: +<filename>ipp:://192.193.194.195/ipp</filename> +(for many HP printers) or +<filename>ipp://remote_cups_server/printers/remote_printer_name</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>http</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to HTTP connected printers. +(The http:// CUPS backend is only a symlink to the ipp:// backend.) +Examples for the CUPS device-URIs to use are: +<filename>http:://192.193.194.195:631/ipp</filename> +(for many HP printers) or +<filename>http://remote_cups_server:631/printers/remote_printer_name</filename> +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>smb</term> +<listitem><para> +This backend sends printfiles to printers shared by a Windows +host. An example for CUPS device-URIs to use are: +<filename>smb://workgroup/server/printersharename</filename> +Or +<filename>Smb://server/printersharename</filename> +or +<filename>smb://username:password@workgroup/server/printersharename</filename> +or +<filename>smb://username:password@server/printersharename</filename>. +The smb:// backend is a symlink to the Samba utility +<emphasis>smbspool</emphasis> (doesn't ship with CUPS). If the +symlink is not present in your CUPS backend directory, have your +root user create it: <command>ln -s `which smbspool` +/usr/lib/cups/backend/smb</command>. +</para></listitem></varlistentry> +</variablelist> + +<para> +It is easy to write your own backends as Shell or Perl scripts, if you +need any modification or extension to the CUPS print system. One +reason could be that you want to create "special" printers which send +the printjobs as email (through a "mailto:/" backend), convert them to +PDF (through a "pdfgen:/" backend) or dump them to "/dev/null" (In +fact I have the system-wide default printer set up to be connected to +a "devnull:/" backend: there are just too many people sending jobs +without specifying a printer, or scripts and programs which don't name +a printer. The system-wided default deletes the job and sends a polite +mail back to the $USER asking him to alsways specify a correct +printername). +</para> + +<para> +Not all of the mentioned backends may be present on your system or +usable (depending on your hardware configuration). One test for all +available CUPS backends is provided by the <emphasis>lpinfo</emphasis> +utility. Used with the <parameter>-v</parameter> parameter, it lists +all available backends: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + lpinfo -v + +</screen></para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>cupsomatic/Foomatic -- how do they fit into the Picture?</title> + +<para> +"cupsomatic" filters may be the most widely used on CUPS +installations. You must be clear about the fact that these were not +developed by the CUPS people. They are a "Third Party" add-on to +CUPS. They utilize the traditional Ghostscript devices to render jobs +for CUPS. When troubleshooting, you should know about the +difference. Here the whole rendering process is done in one stage, +inside Ghostscript, using an appropriate "device" for the target +printer. cupsomatic uses PPDs which are generated from the "Foomatic" +Printer & Driver Database at Linuxprinting.org. +</para> + +<para> +You can recognize these PPDs from the line calling the +<emphasis>cupsomatic</emphasis> filter: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + *cupsFilter: "application/vnd.cups-postscript 0 cupsomatic" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This line you may find amongst the first 40 or so lines of the PPD +file. If you have such a PPD installed, the printer shows up in the +CUPS web interface with a <emphasis>foomatic</emphasis> namepart for +the driver description. cupsomatic is a Perlscript that runs +Ghostscript, with all the complicated commandline options +auto-constructed from the selected PPD and commandline options give to +the printjob. +</para> + +<para> +However, cupsomatic is now deprecated. Its PPDs (especially the first +generation of them, still in heavy use out there) are not meeting the +Adobe specifications. You might also suffer difficulties when you try +to download them with "Point'n'Print" to Windows clients. A better, +and more powerful successor is now in a very stable Beta-version +available: it is called <emphasis>foomatic-rip</emphasis>. To use +foomatic-rip as a filter with CUPS, you need the new-type PPDs. These +have a similar, but different line: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + *cupsFilter: "application/vnd.cups-postscript 0 foomatic-rip" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +The PPD generating engine at Linuxprinting.org has been revamped. +The new PPDs comply to the Adobe spec. On top, they also provide a +new way to specify different quality levels (hi-res photo, normal +color, grayscale, draft...) with a single click (whereas before you +could have required 5 or more different selections (media type, +resolution, inktype, dithering algorithm...). There is support for +custom-size media built in. There is support to switch +print-options from page to page, in the middle of a job. And the +best thing is: the new foomatic-rip now works seamlessly with all +legacy spoolers too (like LPRng, BSD-LPD, PDQ, PPR etc.), providing +for them access to use PPDs for their printing! +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>The Complete Picture</title> + +<para> +If you want to see an overview over all the filters and how they +relate to each other, the complete picture of the puzzle is at the end +of this document. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title><filename>mime.convs</filename></title> + +<para> +CUPS auto-constructs all possible filtering chain paths for any given +MIME type, and every printer installed. But how does it decide in +favor or against a specific alternative? (There may often be cases, +where there is a choice of two or more possible filtering chains for +the same target printer). Simple: you may have noticed the figures in +the 3rd column of the mime.convs file. They represent virtual costs +assigned to this filter. Every possible filtering chain will sum up to +a total "filter cost". CUPS decides for the most "inexpensive" route. +</para> + +<tip><para> +The setting of <parameter>FilterLimit 1000</parameter> in +<filename>cupsd.conf</filename> will not allow more filters to +run concurrently than will consume a total of 1000 virtual filter +cost. This is a very efficient way to limit the load of any CUPS +server by setting an appropriate "FilterLimit" value. A FilterLimit of +200 allows roughly 1 job at a time, while a FilterLimit of 1000 allows +approximately 5 jobs maximum at a time. +</para></tip> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>"Raw" printing</title> + +<para> +You can tell CUPS to print (nearly) any file "raw". "Raw" means it +will not be filtered. CUPS will send the file to the printer "as is" +without bothering if the printer is able to digest it. Users need to +take care themselves that they send sensible data formats only. Raw +printing can happen on any queue if the "-o raw" option is specified +on the command line. You can also set up raw-only queues by simply not +associating any PPD with it. This command: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + lpadmin -P rawprinter -v socket://11.12.13.14:9100 -E + +</screen></para> + +<para> +sets up a queue named "rawprinter", connected via the "socket" +protocol (a.k.a. "HP JetDirect") to the device at IP address +11.12.1.3.14, using port 9100. (If you had added a PPD with +<command>-P /path/to/PPD</command> to this command line, you would +have installed a "normal" printqueue. +</para> + +<para> +CUPS will automatically treat each job sent to a queue as a "raw" one, +if it can't find a PPD associated with the queue. However, CUPS will +only send known MIME types (as defined in its own mime.types file) and +refuse others. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>"application/octet-stream" printing</title> + +<para> +Any MIME type with no rule in the +<filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename> file is regarded as unknown +or <emphasis>application/octet-stream</emphasis> and will not be +sent. Because CUPS refuses to print unknown MIME types per default, +you will probably have experienced the fact that printjobs originating +from Windows clients were not printed. You may have found an error +message in your CUPS logs like: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + Unable to convert file 0 to printable format for job + +</screen></para> + +<para> +To enable the printing of "application/octet-stream" files, edit +these two files: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para><filename>/etc/cups/mime.convs</filename></para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename></para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +Both contain entries (at the end of the respective files) which must +be uncommented to allow RAW mode operation for +application/octet-stream. In <filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename> +make sure this line is present: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/octet-stream + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This line (with no specific auto-typing rule set) makes all files +not otherwise auto-typed a member of application/octet-stream. In +<filename>/etc/cups/mime.convs</filename>, have this +line: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/octet-stream application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This line tells CUPS to use the <emphasis>Null Filter</emphasis> +(denoted as "-", doing... nothing at all) on +<emphasis>application/octet-stream</emphasis>, and tag the result as +<emphasis>application/vnd.cups-raw</emphasis>. This last one is +always a green light to the CUPS scheduler to now hand the file over +to the "backend" connecting to the printer and sending it over. +</para> + +<note><para> Editing the <filename>mime.convs</filename> and the +<filename>mime.types</filename> file does not +<emphasis>enforce</emphasis> "raw" printing, it only +<emphasis>allows</emphasis> it. +</para></note> + +<formalpara> +<title>Background</title> + +<para> +CUPS being a more security-aware printing system than traditional ones +does not by default allow one to send deliberate (possibly binary) +data to printing devices. (This could be easily abused to launch a +Denial of Service attack on your printer(s), causing at least the loss +of a lot of paper and ink...) "Unknown" data are regarded by CUPS +as<emphasis>MIME type</emphasis> +<emphasis>application/octet-stream</emphasis>. While you +<emphasis>can</emphasis> send data "raw", the MIME type for these must +be one that is known to CUPS and an allowed one. The file +<filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename> defines the "rules" how CUPS +recognizes MIME types. The file +<filename>/etc/cups/mime.convs</filename> decides which file +conversion filter(s) may be applied to which MIME types. +</para> +</formalpara> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>PostScript Printer Descriptions (PPDs) for non-PS Printers</title> + +<para> +Originally PPDs were meant to be used for PostScript printers +only. Here, they help to send device-specific commands and settings +to the RIP which processes the jobfile. CUPS has extended this +scope for PPDs to cover non-PostScript printers too. This was not +very difficult, because it is a standardized file format. In a way +it was logical too: CUPS handles PostScript and uses a PostScript +RIP (=Ghostscript) to process the jobfiles. The only difference is: +a PostScript printer has the RIP built-in, for other types of +printers the Ghostscript RIP runs on the host computer. +</para> + +<para> +PPDs for a non-PS printer have a few lines that are unique to +CUPS. The most important one looks similar to this: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + *cupsFilter: application/vnd.cups-raster 66 rastertoprinter + +</screen></para> + +<para> +It is the last piece in the CUPS filtering puzzle. This line tells the +CUPS daemon to use as a last filter "rastertoprinter". This filter +should be served as input an "application/vnd.cups-raster" MIME type +file. Therefore CUPS should auto-construct a filtering chain, which +delivers as its last output the specified MIME type. This is then +taken as input to the specified "rastertoprinter" filter. After this +the last filter has done its work ("rastertoprinter" is a Gimp-Print +filter), the file should go to the backend, which sends it to the +output device. +</para> + +<para> +CUPS by default ships only a few generic PPDs, but they are good for +several hundred printer models. You may not be able to control +different paper trays, or you may get larger margins than your +specific model supports): +</para> + +<variablelist> +<varlistentry><term>deskjet.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>older HP inkjet printers and compatible +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>deskjet2.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>newer HP inkjet printers and compatible +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>dymo.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>label printers +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>epson9.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>Epson 24pin impact printers and compatible +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>epson24.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>Epson 24pin impact printers and compatible +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>okidata9.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>Okidata 9pin impact printers and compatible +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>okidat24.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>Okidata 24pin impact printers and compatible +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>stcolor.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>older Epson Stylus Color printers +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>stcolor2.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>newer Epson Stylus Color printers +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>stphoto.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>older Epson Stylus Photo printers +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>stphoto2.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>newer Epson Stylus Photo printers +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>laserjet.ppd</term> +<listitem><para>all PCL printersFurther below is a discussion +of several other driver/PPD-packages suitable fur use with CUPS. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> +</variablelist> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Difference between <emphasis>cupsomatic/foomatic-rip</emphasis> and +<emphasis>native CUPS</emphasis> printing</title> + +<para> +Native CUPS rasterization works in two steps. +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para> +First is the "pstoraster" step. It uses the special "cups" +device from ESP Ghostscript 7.05.x as its tool +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +Second comes the "rasterdriver" step. It uses various +device-specific filters; there are several vendors who provide good +quality filters for this step, some are Free Software, some are +Shareware/Non-Free, some are proprietary.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +Often this produces better quality (and has several more +advantages) than other methods. +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>cupsomatic/foomatic processing versus Native CUPS</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/10small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> + +<para> +One other method is the <emphasis>cupsomatic/foomatic-rip</emphasis> +way. Note that cupsomatic is <emphasis>not</emphasis> made by the CUPS +developers. It is an independent contribution to printing development, +made by people from Linuxprinting.org (see also <ulink +url="http://www.cups.org/cups-help.html">http://www.cups.org/cups-help.html</ulink>). +cupsomatic is no longer developed and maintained and is no longer +supported. It has now been replaced by +<emphasis>foomatic-rip</emphasis>. foomatic-rip is a complete re-write +of the old cupsomatic idea, but very much improved and generalized to +other (non-CUPS) spoolers. An upgrade to foomatic-rip is strongly +adviced, especially if you are upgrading to a recent version of CUPS +too. +</para> + +<para> +Both the cupsomatic (old) and the foomatic-rip (new) methods from +Linuxprinting.org use the traditional Ghostscript print file +processing, doing everything in a single step. It therefore relies on +all the other devices built-in into Ghostscript. The quality is as +good (or bad) as Ghostscript rendering is in other spoolers. The +advantage is that this method supports many printer models not +supported (yet) by the more modern CUPS method. +</para> + +<para> +Of course, you can use both methods side by side on one system (and +even for one printer, if you set up different queues), and find out +which works best for you. +</para> + +<para> +cupsomatic "kidnaps" the printfile after the +<emphasis>application/vnd.cups-postscript</emphasis> stage and +deviates it through the CUPS-external, systemwide Ghostscript +installation: Therefore the printfile bypasses the "pstoraster" filter +(and thus also bypasses the CUPS-raster-drivers +"rastertosomething"). After Ghostscript finished its rasterization, +cupsomatic hands the rendered file directly to the CUPS backend. The +flowchart above illustrates the difference between native CUPS +rendering and the Foomatic/cupsomatic method. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Examples for filtering Chains</title> + +<para> +Here are a few examples of commonly occurring filtering chains to +illustrate the workings of CUPS. +</para> + +<para> +Assume you want to print a PDF file to a HP JetDirect-connected +PostScript printer, but you want to print the pages 3-5, 7, 11-13 +only, and you want to print them "2-up" and "duplex": +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>your print options (page selection as required, 2-up, +duplex) are passed to CUPS on the commandline;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the (complete) PDF file is sent to CUPS and autotyped as +<emphasis>application/pdf</emphasis>;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the file therefore first must pass the +<emphasis>pdftops</emphasis> pre-filter, which produces PostScript +MIME type <emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis> (a preview here +would still show all pages of the original PDF);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the file then passes the <emphasis>pstops</emphasis> +filter which applies the commandline options: it selects the pages +2-5, 7 and 11-13, creates and imposed layout "2 pages on 1 sheet" and +inserts the correct "duplex" command (as is defined in the printer's +PPD) into the new PostScript file; the file now is of PostScript MIME +type +<emphasis>application/vnd.cups-postscript</emphasis>;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the file goes to the <emphasis>socket</emphasis> +backend, which transfers the job to the printers.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +The resulting filter chain therefore is: +</para> + +<para><screen> +pdftops --> pstops --> socket +</screen></para> + +<para> +Assume your want to print the same filter to an USB-connected +Epson Stylus Photo printer, installed with the CUPS +<filename>stphoto2.ppd</filename>. The first few filtering stages +are nearly the same: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>your print options (page selection as required, 2-up, +duplex) are passed to CUPS on the commandline;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the (complete) PDF file is sent to CUPS and autotyped as +<emphasis>application/pdf</emphasis>;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the file therefore first must pass the +<emphasis>pdftops</emphasis> pre-filter, which produces PostScript +MIME type <emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis> (a preview here +would still show all pages of the original PDF);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the file then passes the "pstops" filter which applies +the commandline options: it selects the pages 2-5, 7 and 11-13, +creates and imposed layout "2 pages on 1 sheet" and inserts the +correct "duplex" command... (OOoops -- this printer and his PPD +don't support duplex printing at all -- this option will be ignored +then) into the new PostScript file; the file now is of PostScript +MIME type +<emphasis>application/vnd.cups-postscript</emphasis>;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the file then passes the +<emphasis>pstoraster</emphasis> stage and becomes MIME type +<emphasis>application/cups-raster</emphasis>;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>finally, the <emphasis>rastertoepson</emphasis> filter +does its work (as is indicated in the printer's PPD), creating the +printer-specific raster data and embedding any user-selected +print-options into the print data stream;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the file goes to the <emphasis>usb</emphasis> backend, +which transfers the job to the printers.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +The resulting filter chain therefore is: +</para> + +<para><screen> +pdftops --> pstops --> pstoraster --> rastertoepson --> usb +</screen></para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Sources of CUPS drivers / PPDs</title> + +<para> +On the internet you can find now many thousand CUPS-PPD files +(with their companion filters), in many national languages, +supporting more than 1000 non-PostScript models. +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para><ulink url="http://wwwl.easysw.com/printpro/">ESP +PrintPro (http://wwwl.easysw.com/printpro/)</ulink> (commercial, +non-Free) is packaged with more than 3000 PPDs, ready for +successful use "out of the box" on Linux, Mac OS X, IBM-AIX, +HP-UX, Sun-Solaris, SGI-IRIX, Compaq Tru64, Digital Unix and some +more commercial Unices (it is written by the CUPS developers +themselves and its sales help finance the further development of +CUPS, as they feed their creators).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the <ulink +url="http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/">Gimp-Print-Project +(http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/)</ulink> (GPL, Free Software) +provides around 140 PPDs (supporting nearly 400 printers, many driven +to photo quality output), to be used alongside the Gimp-Print CUPS +filters;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><ulink url="http://www.turboprint.com/">TurboPrint +(http://www.turboprint.com/)</ulink> (Shareware, non-Free) supports +roughly the same amount of printers in excellent +quality;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><ulink +url="http://www-124.ibm.com/developerworks/oss/linux/projects/omni/">OMNI +(http://www-124.ibm.com/developerworks/oss/linux/projects/omni/)</ulink> +(LPGL, Free) is a package made by IBM, now containing support for more +than 400 printers, stemming from the inheritance of IBM OS/2 KnowHow +ported over to Linux (CUPS support is in a Beta-stage at +present);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><ulink url="http://hpinkjet.sourceforge.net/">HPIJS +(http://hpinkjet.sourceforge.net/)</ulink> (BSD-style licenses, Free) +supports around 150 of HP's own printers and is also providing +excellent print quality now (currently available only via the Foomatic +path);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/">Foomatic/cupsomatic +(http://www.linuxprinting.org/)</ulink> (LPGL, Free) from +Linuxprinting.org are providing PPDs for practically every Ghostscript +filter known to the world (including Omni, Gimp-Print and +HPIJS).</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<note><para> +The cupsomatic/Foomatic trick from Linuxprinting.org works +differently from the other drivers. This is explained elsewhere in this +document. +</para></note> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Printing with Interface Scripts</title> + +<para> +CUPS also supports the usage of "interface scripts" as known from +System V AT&T printing systems. These are often used for PCL +printers, from applications that generate PCL print jobs. Interface +scripts are specific to printer models. They have a similar role as +PPDs for PostScript printers. Interface scripts may inject the Escape +sequences as required into the print data stream, if the user has +chosen to select a certain paper tray, or print landscape, or use A3 +paper, etc. Interfaces scripts are practically unknown in the Linux +realm. On HP-UX platforms they are more often used. You can use any +working interface script on CUPS too. Just install the printer with +the <command>-i</command> option: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + lpadmin -p pclprinter -v socket://11.12.13.14:9100 -i /path/to/interface-script + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Interface scripts might be the "unknown animal" to many. However, +with CUPS they provide the most easy way to plug in your own +custom-written filtering script or program into one specific print +queue (some information about the traditional usage of interface scripts is +to be found at <ulink +url="http://playground.sun.com/printing/documentation/interface.html">http://playground.sun.com/printing/documentation/interface.html</ulink>). +</para> +</sect2> </sect1> <sect1> -<title>Windows Terminal Servers (WTS) as CUPS clients</title> +<title>Network printing (purely Windows)</title> + +<para> +Network printing covers a lot of ground. To understand what exactly +goes on with Samba when it is printing on behalf of its Windows +clients, let's first look at a "purely Windows" setup: Windows clients +with a Windows NT print server. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>From Windows Clients to an NT Print Server</title> + +<para> +Windows clients printing to an NT-based print server have two +options. They may +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>execute the driver locally and render the GDI output +(EMF) into the printer specific format on their own, +or</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>send the GDI output (EMF) to the server, where the +driver is executed to render the printer specific +output.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> <para> -This setup may be of special interest to people -experiencing major problems in WTS environments. WTS need often a multitude -of non-PostScript drivers installed to run their clients' variety of -different printer models. This often imposes the price of much increased -instability. In many cases, in an attempt to overcome this problem, site -administrators have resorted to restrict the allowed drivers installed on -their WTS to one generic PCL- and one PostScript driver. This however -restricts the clients in the amount of printer options available for them -- -often they can't get out more then simplex prints from one standard paper -tray, while their devices could do much better, if driven by a different -driver! +Both print paths are shown in the flowcharts below. </para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Driver Execution on the Client</title> <para> -Using an Adobe PostScript driver, enabled with a CUPS-PPD, -seems to be a very elegant way to overcome all these shortcomings. The -PostScript driver is not known to cause major stability problems on WTS (even -if used with many different PPDs). The clients will be able to (again) chose -paper trays, duplex printing and other settings. However, there is a certain -price for this too: a CUPS server acting as a PostScript RIP for its clients -requires more CPU and RAM than just to act as a "raw spooling" device. Plus, -this setup is not yet widely tested, although the first feedbacks look very -promising... +In the first case the print server must spool the file as "raw", +meaning it shouldn't touch the jobfile and try to convert it in any +way. This is what traditional Unix-based print server can do too; and +at a better performance and more reliably than NT print server. This +is what most Samba administrators probably are familiar with. One +advantage of this setup is that this "spooling-only" print server may +be used even if no driver(s) for Unix are available it is sufficient +to have the Windows client drivers available and installed on the +clients. </para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Print Driver execution on the Client</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/11small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Driver Execution on the Server</title> + +<para> +The other path executes the printer driver on the server. The clients +transfers print files in EMF format to the server. The server uses the +PostScript, PCL, ESC/P or other driver to convert the EMF file into +the printer-specific language. It is not possible for Unix to do the +same. Currently there is no program or method to convert a Windows +client's GDI output on a Unix server into something a printer could +understand. +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Print Driver execution on the Server</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/12small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> + +<para> +However, there is something similar possible with CUPS. Read on... +</para> +</sect2> </sect1> +<sect1> +<title>Network Printing (Windows clients -- UNIX/Samba Print +Servers)</title> + +<para> +Since UNIX print servers <emphasis>cannot</emphasis> execute the Win32 +program code on their platform, the picture is somewhat +different. However, this doesn't limit your options all that +much. In the contrary, you may have a way here to implement printing +features which are not possible otherwise. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>From Windows Clients to a CUPS/Samba Print Server</title> + +<para> +Here is a simple recipe showing how you can take advantage of CUPS +powerful features for the benefit of your Windows network printing +clients: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> + +<listitem><para>Let the Windows clients send PostScript to the CUPS +server.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Let the CUPS server render the PostScript into device +specific raster format.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +This requires the clients to use a PostScript driver (even if the +printer is a non-PostScript model. It also requires that you have a +"driver" on the CUPS server. +</para> + +<para> +Firstly, to enable CUPS based printing through Samba the +following options should be set in your <filename>smb.conf</filename> file [globals] +section: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para><parameter>printing = CUPS</parameter></para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><parameter>printcap = CUPS</parameter></para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +When these parameters are specified, all manually set print directives +(like <parameter>print command =...</parameter>, or <parameter>lppause +command =...</parameter>) in <filename>smb.conf</filename> (as well as +in samba itself) will be ignored. Instead, Samba will directly +interface with CUPS through it's application program interface (API) - +as long as Samba has been compiled with CUPS library (libcups) +support. If Samba has NOT been compiled with CUPS support, and if no +other print commands are set up, then printing will use the +<emphasis>System V</emphasis> AT&T command set, with the -oraw +option automatically passing through (if you want your own defined +print commands to work with a Samba that has CUPS support compiled in, +simply use <parameter>printing = sysv</parameter>). +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>Printing via CUPS/samba server</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/13small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Samba receiving Jobfiles and passing them to CUPS</title> + +<para> +Samba<emphasis>must</emphasis> use its own spool directory (it is set +by a line similar to <parameter>path = /var/spool/samba</parameter>, +in the <parameter>[printers]</parameter> or +<parameter>[printername]</parameter> section of +<filename>smb.conf</filename>). Samba receives the job in its own +spool space and passes it into the spool directory of CUPS (the CUPS +spooling directory is set by the <parameter>RequestRoot</parameter> +directive, in a line that defaults to <parameter>RequestRoot +/var/spool/cups</parameter>). CUPS checks the access rights of its +spool dir and resets it to healthy values with every re-start. We have +seen quite some people who had used a common spooling space for Samba +and CUPS, and were struggling for weeks with this "problem". +</para> + +<para> +A Windows user authenticates only to Samba (by whatever means is +configured). If Samba runs on the same host as CUPS, you only need to +allow "localhost" to print. If they run on different machines, you +need to make sure the Samba host gets access to printing on CUPS. +</para> +</sect2> +</sect1> <sect1> -<title>Setting up CUPS for driver download</title> - -<para> -The <command>cupsadsmb</command> utility (shipped with all current -CUPS versions) makes the sharing of any (or all) installed CUPS printers very -easy. Prior to using it, you need the following settings in &smb.conf;: -</para> - - <para><programlisting>[global] - load printers = yes - printing = cups - printcap name = cups - - [printers] - comment = All Printers - path = /var/spool/samba - browseable = no - public = yes - guest ok = yes - writable = no - printable = yes - printer admin = root - - [print$] - comment = Printer Drivers - path = /etc/samba/drivers - browseable = yes - guest ok = no - read only = yes - write list = root - </programlisting></para> - -<para> -For licensing reasons the necessary files of the Adobe -Postscript driver can not be distributed with either Samba or CUPS. You need -to download them yourself from the Adobe website. Once extracted, create a -<filename>drivers</filename> directory in the CUPS data directory (usually -<filename>/usr/share/cups/</filename>). Copy the Adobe files using -UPPERCASE filenames, to this directory as follows: -</para> - - <para><programlisting> - ADFONTS.MFM - ADOBEPS4.DRV - ADOBEPS4.HLP - ADOBEPS5.DLL - ADOBEPSU.DLL - ADOBEPSU.HLP - DEFPRTR2.PPD - ICONLIB.DLL - </programlisting></para> - -<para> -Users of the ESP Print Pro software are able to install -their "Samba Drivers" package for this purpose with no problem. +<title>Network PostScript RIP: CUPS Filters on Server -- clients use +PostScript Driver with CUPS-PPDs</title> + +<para> +PPDs can control all print device options. They are usually provided +by the manufacturer; if you own a PostScript printer, that is. PPD +files (PostScript Printer Descriptions) are always a component of +PostScript printer drivers on MS Windows or Apple Mac OS systems. They +are ASCII files containing user-selectable print options, mapped to +appropriate PostScript, PCL or PJL commands for the target +printer. Printer driver GUI dialogs translate these options +"on-the-fly" into buttons and drop-down lists for the user to select. +</para> + +<para> +CUPS can load, without any conversions, the PPD file from any Windows +(NT is recommended) PostScript driver and handle the options. There is +a web browser interface to the print options (select <ulink +url="http://localhost:631/printers/">http://localhost:631/printers/</ulink> +and click on one <emphasis>Configure Printer</emphasis> button to see +it), or a commandline interface (see <command>man lpoptions</command> +or see if you have lphelp on your system). There are also some +different GUI frontends on Linux/UNIX, which can present PPD options +to users. PPD options are normally meant to be evaluated by the +PostScript RIP on the real PostScript printer. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>PPDs for non-PS Printers on UNIX</title> + +<para> +CUPS doesn't limit itself to "real" PostScript printers in its usage +of PPDs. The CUPS developers have extended the scope of the PPD +concept, to also describe available device and driver options for +non-PostScript printers through CUPS-PPDs. +</para> + +<para> +This is logical, as CUPS includes a fully featured PostScript +interpreter (RIP). This RIP is based on Ghostscript. It can process +all received PostScript (and additionally many other file formats) +from clients. All CUPS-PPDs geared to non-PostScript printers contain +an additional line, starting with the keyword +<parameter>*cupsFilter</parameter> . This line tells the CUPS print +system which printer-specific filter to use for the interpretation of +the supplied PostScript. Thus CUPS lets all its printers appear as +PostScript devices to its clients, because it can act as a PostScript +RIP for those printers, processing the received PostScript code into a +proper raster print format. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>PPDs for non-PS Printers on Windows</title> + +<para> +CUPS-PPDs can also be used on Windows-Clients, on top of a +"core" PostScript driver (now recommended is the "CUPS PostScript +Driver for WindowsNT/2K/XP"; you can also use the Adobe one, with +limitations). This feature enables CUPS to do a few tricks no other +spooler can do: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> + +<listitem><para>act as a networked PostScript RIP (Raster Image +Processor), handling printfiles from all client platforms in a uniform +way;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>act as a central accounting and billing server, since +all files are passed through the pstops filter and are therefore +logged in the CUPS <filename>page_log</filename> file. +<emphasis>NOTE:</emphasis> this can not happen with "raw" print jobs, +which always remain unfiltered per definition;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>enable clients to consolidate on a single PostScript +driver, even for many different target printers.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +Using CUPS PPDs on Windows clients enables these to control +all print job settings just as a UNIX client can do too. </para> +</sect2> </sect1> +<sect1> +<title>Windows Terminal Servers (WTS) as CUPS Clients</title> + +<para> +This setup may be of special interest to people experiencing major +problems in WTS environments. WTS need often a multitude of +non-PostScript drivers installed to run their clients' variety of +different printer models. This often imposes the price of much +increased instability. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>Printer Drivers running in "Kernel Mode" cause many +Problems</title> + +<para> +The reason is that in Win NT printer drivers run in "Kernel +Mode", this introduces a high risk for the stability of the system +if the driver is not really stable and well-tested. And there are a +lot of bad drivers out there! Especially notorious is the example +of the PCL printer driver that had an additional sound module +running, to notify users via soundcard of their finished jobs. Do I +need to say that this one was also reliably causing "Blue Screens +of Death" on a regular basis? +</para> + +<para> +PostScript drivers generally are very well tested. They are not known +to cause any problems, even though they run in Kernel Mode too. This +might be because there have so far only been 2 different PostScript +drivers the ones from Adobe and the one from Microsoft. Both are +very well tested and are as stable as you ever can imagine on +Windows. The CUPS driver is derived from the Microsoft one. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Workarounds impose Heavy Limitations</title> + +<para> +In many cases, in an attempt to work around this problem, site +administrators have resorted to restrict the allowed drivers installed +on their WTS to one generic PCL- and one PostScript driver. This +however restricts the clients in the amount of printer options +available for them; often they can't get out more than simplex +prints from one standard paper tray, while their devices could do much +better, if driven by a different driver! ) +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>CUPS: a "Magical Stone"?</title> + +<para> +Using a PostScript driver, enabled with a CUPS-PPD, seems to be a very +elegant way to overcome all these shortcomings. There are, depending +on the version of Windows OS you use, up to 3 different PostScript +drivers available: Adobe, Microsoft and CUPS PostScript drivers. None +of them is known to cause major stability problems on WTS (even if +used with many different PPDs). The clients will be able to (again) +chose paper trays, duplex printing and other settings. However, there +is a certain price for this too: a CUPS server acting as a PostScript +RIP for its clients requires more CPU and RAM than when just acting as +a "raw spooling" device. Plus, this setup is not yet widely tested, +although the first feedbacks look very promising. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>PostScript Drivers with no major problems -- even in Kernel +Mode</title> +<para> +More recent printer drivers on W2K and XP don't run in Kernel mode +(unlike Win NT) any more. However, both operating systems can still +use the NT drivers, running in Kernel mode (you can roughly tell which +is which as the drivers in subdirectory "2" of "W32X86" are "old" +ones). As was said before, the Adobe as well as the Microsoft +PostScript drivers are not known to cause any stability problems. The +CUPS driver is derived from the Microsoft one. There is a simple +reason for this: The MS DDK (Device Development Kit) for Win NT (which +used to be available at no cost to licensees of Visual Studio) +includes the source code of the Microsoft driver, and licensees of +Visual Studio are allowed to use and modify it for their own driver +development efforts. This is what the CUPS people have done. The +license doesn't allow them to publish the whole of the source code. +However, they have released the "diff" under the GPL, and if you are +owner of an "MS DDK for Win NT", you can check the driver yourself. +</para> +</sect2> +</sect1> <sect1> -<title>Sources of CUPS drivers / PPDs</title> +<title> Setting up CUPS for driver Download</title> + +<para> +As we have said before: all previously known methods to prepare client +printer drivers on the Samba server for download and "Point'n'Print" +convenience of Windows workstations are working with CUPS too. These +methods were described in the previous chapter. In reality, this is a +pure Samba business, and only relates to the Samba/Win client +relationship. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title><emphasis>cupsaddsmb</emphasis>: the unknown Utility</title> + +<para> +The cupsaddsmb utility (shipped with all current CUPS versions) is an +alternative method to transfer printer drivers into the Samba +<parameter>[print$]</parameter> share. Remember, this share is where +clients expect drivers deposited and setup for download and +installation. It makes the sharing of any (or all) installed CUPS +printers very easy. cupsaddsmb can use the Adobe PostScript driver as +well as the newly developed <emphasis>CUPS PostScript Driver for +WinNT/2K/XP</emphasis>. Note, that cupsaddsmb does +<emphasis>not</emphasis> work with arbitrary vendor printer drivers, +but only with the <emphasis>exact</emphasis> driver files that are +named in its man page. +</para> <para> -On the internet you can find now many thousand CUPS-PPD -files (with their companion filters), in many national languages, -supporting more than 1.000 non-PostScript models. +The CUPS printer driver is available from the CUPS download site. Its +package name is <filename>cups-samba-[version].tar.gz</filename> . It +is prefered over the Adobe drivers since it has a number of +advantages: </para> <itemizedlist> - <listitem><para><ulink url="http://wwwl.easysw.com/printpro/">ESP PrintPro - (http://wwwl.easysw.com/printpro/)</ulink> - (commercial, non-Free) is packaged with more than 3.000 PPDs, ready for - successful usage "out of the box" on Linux, IBM-AIX, HP-UX, Sun-Solaris, - SGI-IRIX, Compaq Tru64, Digital Unix and some more commercial Unices (it - is written by the CUPS developers themselves and its sales help finance - the further development of CUPS, as they feed their creators)</para></listitem> - <listitem><para>the <ulink - url="http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/">Gimp-Print-Project - (http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/)</ulink> - (GPL, Free Software) provides around 120 PPDs (supporting nearly 300 - printers, many driven to photo quality output), to be used alongside the - Gimp-Print CUPS filters;</para></listitem> - <listitem><para><ulink url="http://www.turboprint.com/">TurboPrint - (http://www.turboprint.com/)</ulink> - (Shareware, non-Freee) supports roughly the same amount of printers in - excellent quality;</para></listitem> - <listitem><para><ulink - url="http://www-124.ibm.com/developerworks/oss/linux/projects/omni/">OMNI - (http://www-124.ibm.com/developerworks/oss/linux/projects/omni/)</ulink> - (LPGL, Free) is a package made by IBM, now containing support for more - than 400 printers, stemming from the inheritance of IBM OS/2 KnowHow - ported over to Linux (CUPS support is in a Beta-stage at present);</para></listitem> - <listitem><para><ulink url="http://hpinkjet.sourceforge.net/">HPIJS - (http://hpinkjet.sourceforge.net/)</ulink> - (BSD-style licnes, Free) supports around 120 of HP's own printers and is - also providing excellent print quality now;</para></listitem> - <listitem><para><ulink - url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/">Foomatic/cupsomatic (http://www.linuxprinting.org/)</ulink> - (LPGL, Free) from Linuxprinting.org are providing PPDs for practically every - Ghostscript filter known to the world, now usable with CUPS.</para></listitem> +<listitem><para>it supports a much more accurate page +accounting;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>it supports banner pages, and page labels on all +printers;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>it supports the setting of a number of job IPP +attributes (such as job-priority, page-label and +job-billing)</para></listitem> </itemizedlist> <para> -<emphasis>NOTE: </emphasis>the cupsomatic trick from Linuxprinting.org is -working different from the other drivers. While the other drivers take the -generic CUPS raster (produced by CUPS' own pstoraster PostScript RIP) as -their input, cupsomatic "kidnaps" the PostScript inside CUPS, before -RIP-ping, deviates it to an external Ghostscript installation (which now -becomes the RIP) and gives it back to a CUPS backend once Ghostscript is -finished. -- CUPS versions from 1.1.15 and later will provide their pstoraster -PostScript RIP function again inside a system-wide Ghostscript -installation rather than in "their own" pstoraster filter. (This -CUPS-enabling Ghostscript version may be installed either as a -patch to GNU or AFPL Ghostscript, or as a complete ESP Ghostscript package). -However, this will not change the cupsomatic approach of guiding the printjob -along a different path through the filtering system than the standard CUPS -way... +However, currently only Windows NT, 2000, and XP are supported by the +CUPS drivers. You will need to get the respective part of Adobe driver +too if you need to support Windows 95, 98, and ME clients. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Prepare your <filename>smb.conf</filename> for +cupsaddsmb</title> + +<para> +Prior to running cupsaddsmb, you need the following settings in +<filename>smb.conf</filename>: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + [global] + load printers = yes + printing = cups + printcap name = cups + + [printers] + comment = All Printers + path = /var/spool/samba + browseable = no + public = yes + guest ok = yes # setting depends on your requirements + writable = no + printable = yes + printer admin = root + + [print$] + comment = Printer Drivers + path = /etc/samba/drivers + browseable = yes + guest ok = no + read only = yes + write list = root + +</screen></para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>CUPS Package of "PostScript Driver for WinNT/2k/XP"</title> + +<para> +CUPS users may get the exactly same packages from<ulink +url="http://www.cups.org/software.html"><emphasis>http://www.cups.org/software.html</emphasis></ulink>. +It is a separate package from the CUPS base software files, tagged as +<emphasis>CUPS 1.1.x Windows NT/2k/XP Printer Driver for SAMBA +(tar.gz, 192k)</emphasis>. The filename to download is +<filename>cups-samba-1.1.x.tar.gz</filename>. Upon untar-/unzip-ing, +it will reveal these files: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# tar xvzf cups-samba-1.1.19.tar.gz + + cups-samba.install + cups-samba.license + cups-samba.readme + cups-samba.remove + cups-samba.ss + +</screen></para> + +<para> +These have been packaged with the ESP meta packager software +"EPM". The <filename>*.install</filename> and +<filename>*.remove</filename> files are simple shell scripts, which +untars the <filename>*.ss</filename> (the <filename>*.ss</filename> is +nothing else but a tar-archive, which can be untar-ed by "tar" +too). Then it puts the content into +<filename>/usr/share/cups/drivers/</filename>. This content includes 3 +files: </para> +<para><screen> + +# tar tv cups-samba.ss + + cupsdrvr.dll + cupsui.dll + cups.hlp + +</screen></para> + +<para> +The <emphasis>cups-samba.install</emphasis> shell scripts is easy to +handle: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# ./cups-samba.install + + [....] + Installing software... + Updating file permissions... + Running post-install commands... + Installation is complete. + +</screen></para> + <para> -Once you installed a printer inside CUPS with one of the -recommended methods (the lpadmin command, the web browser interface or one of -the available GUI wizards), you can use <command>cupsaddsmb</command> to share the -printer via Samba. <command>cupsaddsmb</command> prepares the driver files for -comfortable client download and installation upon their first contact with -this printer share. +The script should automatically put the driver files into the +<filename>/usr/share/cups/drivers/</filename> directory. </para> +<warning><para> +Due to a bug, one recent CUPS release puts the +<filename>cups.hlp</filename> driver file +into<filename>/usr/share/drivers/</filename> instead of +<filename>/usr/share/cups/drivers/</filename>. To work around this, +copy/move the file (after running the +<command>./cups-samba.install</command> script) manually to the +right place. +</para></warning> +<para><screen> + + cp /usr/share/drivers/cups.hlp /usr/share/cups/drivers/ + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This new CUPS PostScript driver is currently binary-only, but free of +charge. No complete source code is provided (yet). The reason is this: +it has been developed with the help of the <emphasis>Microsoft Driver +Developer Kit</emphasis> (DDK) and compiled with Microsoft Visual +Studio 6. Driver developers are not allowed to distribute the whole of +the source code as Free Software. However, CUPS developers released +the "diff" in source code under the GPL, so anybody with a license of +Visual Studio and a DDK will be able to compile for him/herself. +</para> +</sect2> <sect2> -<title><command>cupsaddsmb</command></title> +<title>Recognize the different Driver Files</title> + +<para> +The CUPS drivers don't support the "older" Windows 95/98/ME, but only +the Windows NT/2000/XP client: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + [Windows NT, 2000, and XP are supported by:] + cups.hlp + cupsdrvr.dll + cupsui.dll + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Adobe drivers are available for the older Windows 95/98/ME as well as +the Windows NT/2000/XP clients. The set of files is different for the +different platforms. +</para> + +<para><screen> + + [Windows 95, 98, and Me are supported by:] + ADFONTS.MFM + ADOBEPS4.DRV + ADOBEPS4.HLP + DEFPRTR2.PPD + ICONLIB.DLL + PSMON.DLL + [Windows NT, 2000, and XP are supported by:] + ADOBEPS5.DLL + ADOBEPSU.DLL + ADOBEPSU.HLP + +</screen></para> + +<note><para> +If both, the Adobe driver files and the CUPS driver files for the +support of WinNT/2k/XP are present in , the Adobe ones will be ignored +and the CUPS ones will be used. If you prefer -- for whatever reason +-- to use Adobe-only drivers, move away the 3 CUPS driver files. The +Win95/98/ME clients use the Adobe drivers in any case. +</para></note> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Acquiring the Adobe Driver Files</title> <para> -The <command>cupsaddsmb</command> command copies the needed files -for convenient Windows client installations from the previously prepared CUPS -data directory to your [print$] share. Additionally, the PPD -associated with this printer is copied from <filename>/etc/cups/ppd/</filename> to -[print$]. +Acquiring the Adobe driver files seems to be unexpectedly difficult +for many users. They are not available on the Adobe website as single +files and the self-extracting and/or self-installing Windows-exe is +not easy to locate either. Probably you need to use the included +native installer and run the installation process on one client +once. This will install the drivers (and one Generic PostScript +printer) locally on the client. When they are installed, share the +Generic PostScript printer. After this, the client's +<parameter>[print$]</parameter> share holds the Adobe files, from +where you can get them with smbclient from the CUPS host. A more +detailed description about this is in the next (the CUPS printing) +chapter. </para> +</sect2> -<para><programlisting> -<prompt>root# </prompt> <command>cupsaddsmb -U root infotec_IS2027</command> -Password for root required to access localhost via -SAMBA: <userinput>[type in password 'secret']</userinput> -</programlisting></para> +<sect2> +<title>ESP Print Pro Package of "PostScript Driver for +WinNT/2k/XP"</title> <para> -To share all printers and drivers, use the <parameter>-a</parameter> -parameter instead of a printer name. +Users of the ESP Print Pro software are able to install their "Samba +Drivers" package for this purpose with no problem. Retrieve the driver +files from the normal download area of the ESP Print Pro software +at<ulink +url="http://www.easysw.com/software.html">http://www.easysw.com/software.html</ulink>. +You need to locate the link labelled "SAMBA" amongst the +<emphasis>Download Printer Drivers for ESP Print Pro 4.x</emphasis> +area and download the package. Once installed, you can prepare any +driver by simply highlighting the printer in the Printer Manager GUI +and select <emphasis>Export Driver...</emphasis> from the menu. Of +course you need to have prepared Samba beforehand too to handle the +driver files; i.e. mainly setup the <parameter>[print$]</parameter> +share, etc. The ESP Print Pro package includes the CUPS driver files +as well as a (licensed) set of Adobe drivers for the Windows 95/98/ME +client family. </para> +</sect2> +<sect2> +<title>Caveats to be considered</title> <para> -Probably you want to see what's going on. Use the -<parameter>-v</parameter> parameter to get a more verbose output: +Once you have run the install script (and possibly manually +moved the <filename>cups.hlp</filename> file to +<filename>/usr/share/cups/drivers/</filename>), the driver is +ready to be put into Samba's <parameter>[print$]</parameter> share (which often maps to +<filename>/etc/samba/drivers/</filename> and contains a subdir +tree with <emphasis>WIN40</emphasis> and +<emphasis>W32X86</emphasis> branches): You do this by running +"cupsaddsmb" (see also <command>man cupsaddsmb</command> for +CUPS since release 1.1.16). +</para> + +<tip><para> +You may need to put root into the smbpasswd file by running +<command>smbpasswd</command>; this is especially important if you +should run this whole procedure for the first time, and are not +working in an environment where everything is configured for +<emphasis>Single Sign On</emphasis> to a Windows Domain Controller. +</para></tip> + +<para> +Once the driver files are in the <parameter>[print$]</parameter> share +and are initialized, they are ready to be downloaded and installed by +the Win NT/2k/XP clients. +</para> + +<note><para> +<orderedlist> +<listitem><para> +Win 9x/ME clients won't work with the CUPS PostScript driver. For +these you'd still need to use the <filename>ADOBE*.*</filename> +drivers as previously. +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +It is not harmful if you still have the +<filename>ADOBE*.*</filename> driver files from previous +installations in the <filename>/usr/share/cups/drivers/</filename> +directory. The new <emphasis>cupsaddsmb</emphasis> (from 1.1.16) will +automatically prefer "its own" drivers if it finds both. +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +Should your Win clients have had the old <filename>ADOBE*.*</filename> +files for the Adobe PostScript driver installed, the download and +installation of the new CUPS PostScript driver for Windows NT/2k/XP +will fail at first. You need to wipe the old driver from the clients +first. It is not enough to "delete" the printer, as the driver files +will still be kept by the clients and re-used if you try to re-install +the printer. To really get rid of the Adobe driver files on the +clients, open the "Printers" folder (possibly via <emphasis>Start +--> Settings --> Control Panel --> Printers</emphasis>), +right-click onto the folder background and select <emphasis>Server +Properties</emphasis>. When the new dialog opens, select the +<emphasis>Drivers</emphasis> tab. On the list select the driver you +want to delete and click on the <emphasis>Delete</emphasis> +button. This will only work if there is not one single printer left +which uses that particular driver. You need to "delete" all printers +using this driver in the "Printers" folder first. You will need +Administrator privileges to do this. +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +Once you have successfully downloaded the CUPS PostScript driver to a +client, you can easily switch all printers to this one by proceeding +as described elsewhere in the "Samba HOWTO Collection": either change +a driver for an existing printer by running the "Printer Properties" +dialog, or use <command>rpcclient</command> with the +<command>setdriver</command> sub-command. +</para></listitem> +</orderedlist> +</para></note> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>What are the Benefits of using the "CUPS PostScript Driver for +Windows NT/2k/XP" as compared to the Adobe Driver?</title> + +<para> +You are interested in a comparison between the CUPS and the Adobe +PostScript drivers? For our purposes these are the most important +items which weigh in favor of the CUPS ones: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>no hassle with the Adobe EULA</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>no hassle with the question <quote>Where do I +get the ADOBE*.* driver files from?</quote></para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the Adobe drivers (on request of the printer PPD +associated with them) often put a PJL header in front of the main +PostScript part of the print file. Thus the printfile starts with +<parameter><1B >%-12345X</parameter> or +<parameter><escape>%-12345X</parameter> instead +of <parameter>%!PS</parameter>). This leads to the +CUPS daemon auto-typing the incoming file as a print-ready file, +not initiating a pass through the "pstops" filter (to speak more +technically, it is not regarded as the generic MIME type +<emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis>, but as +the more special MIME type +<emphasis>application/cups.vnd-postscript</emphasis>), +which therefore also leads to the page accounting in +<emphasis>/var/log/cups/page_log</emphasis> not +receiving the exact mumber of pages; instead the dummy page number +of "1" is logged in a standard setup)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the Adobe driver has more options to "mis-configure" the +PostScript generated by it (like setting it inadvertedly to +<emphasis>Optimize for Speed</emphasis>, instead of +<emphasis>Optimize for Portability</emphasis>, which +could lead to CUPS being unable to process it)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the CUPS PostScript driver output sent by Windows +clients to the CUPS server will be guaranteed to be auto-typed always +as generic MIME type <emphasis>application/postscript</emphasis>, +thusly passing through the CUPS "pstops" filter and logging the +correct number of pages in the <filename>page_log</filename> for +accounting and quota purposes</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the CUPS PostScript driver supports the sending of +additional standard (IPP) print options by Win NT/2k/XP clients. Such +additional print options are: naming the CUPS standard +<emphasis>banner pages</emphasis> (or the custom ones, should they be +installed at the time of driver download), using the CUPS +<emphasis>page-label</emphasis> option, setting a +<emphasis>job-priority</emphasis> and setting the <emphasis>scheduled +time of printing</emphasis> (with the option to support additional +useful IPP job attributes in the future).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the CUPS PostScript driver supports the inclusion of +the new <emphasis>*cupsJobTicket</emphasis> comments at the +beginning of the PostScript file (which could be used in the future +for all sort of beneficial extensions on the CUPS side, but which will +not disturb any other applications as they will regard it as a comment +and simply ignore it).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the CUPS PostScript driver will be the heart of the +fully fledged CUPS IPP client for Windows NT/2K/XP to be released soon +(probably alongside the first Beta release for CUPS +1.2).</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Run "cupsaddsmb" (quiet Mode)</title> + +<para> +The cupsaddsmb command copies the needed files into your +<parameter>[print$]</parameter> share. Additionally, the PPD +associated with this printer is copied from +<filename>/etc/cups/ppd/</filename> to +<parameter>[print$]</parameter>. There the files wait for convenient +Windows client installations via Point'n'Print. Before we can run the +command successfully, we need to be sure that we can authenticate +towards Samba. If you have a small network you are probably using user +level security (<parameter>security = user</parameter>). Probably your +root has already a Samba account. Otherwise, create it now, using +<command>smbpasswd</command>: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + # smbpasswd -a root + New SMB password: [type in password 'secret'] + Retype new SMB password: [type in password 'secret'] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Here is an example of a successfully run cupsaddsmb command. +</para> + +<para><screen> + + # cupsaddsmb -U root infotec_IS2027 + Password for root required to access localhost via SAMBA: [type in password 'secret'] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +To share<emphasis>all</emphasis> printers and drivers, use the +<parameter>-a</parameter> parameter instead of a printer name. Since +cupsaddsmb "exports" the printer drivers to Samba, it should be +obvious that it only works for queues with a CUPS driver associated. </para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Run "cupsaddsmb" with verbose Output</title> <para> Probably you want to see what's going on. Use the -<parameter>-v</parameter> parameter to get a more verbose output: +<parameter>-v</parameter> parameter to get a more verbose output. The +output below was edited for better readability: all "\" at the end of +a line indicate that I inserted an artificial line break plus some +indentation here: </para> -<para><programlisting> -Note: The following line shave been wrapped so that information is not lost. - -<prompt>root# </prompt> cupsaddsmb -v -U root infotec_IS2027 - Password for root required to access localhost via SAMBA: - Running command: smbclient //localhost/print\$ -N -U'root%secret' -c 'mkdir W32X86;put - /var/spool/cups/tmp/3cd1cc66376c0 W32X86/infotec_IS2027.PPD;put - /usr/share/cups/drivers/ - ADOBEPS5.DLL W32X86/ADOBEPS5.DLL;put /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPSU.DLLr - W32X86/ADOBEPSU.DLL;put /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPSU.HLP W32X86/ADOBEPSU.HLP' - added interface ip=10.160.16.45 bcast=10.160.31.255 nmask=255.255.240.0 - added interface ip=192.168.182.1 bcast=192.168.182.255 nmask=255.255.255.0 - added interface ip=172.16.200.1 bcast=172.16.200.255 nmask=255.255.255.0 - Domain=[TUX-NET] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 2.2.3a.200204262025cvs] - NT_STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_COLLISION making remote directory \W32X86 - putting file /var/spool/cups/tmp/3cd1cc66376c0 as - \W32X86/infotec_IS2027.PPD (17394.6 kb/s) (average 17395.2 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS5.DLL as - \W32X86/ADOBEPS5.DLL (10877.4 kb/s) (average 11343.0 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPSU.DLL as - \W32X86/ADOBEPSU.DLL (5095.2 kb/s) (average 9260.4 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPSU.HLP as - \W32X86/ADOBEPSU.HLP (8828.7 kb/s) (average 9247.1 kb/s) - - Running command: smbclient //localhost/print\$ -N -U'root%secret' -c 'mkdir WIN40;put - /var/spool/cups/tmp/3cd1cc66376c0 WIN40/infotec_IS2027.PPD;put - /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADFONTS.MFM WIN40/ADFONTS.MFM;put - /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.DRV WIN40/ADOBEPS4.DRV;put - /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.HLP WIN40/ADOBEPS4.HLP;put - /usr/share/cups/drivers/DEFPRTR2.PPD WIN40/DEFPRTR2.PPD;put - /usr/share/cups/drivers/ICONLIB.DLL WIN40/ICONLIB.DLL;put - /usr/share/cups/drivers/PSMON.DLL WIN40/PSMON.DLL;' - added interface ip=10.160.16.45 bcast=10.160.31.255 nmask=255.255.240.0 - added interface ip=192.168.182.1 bcast=192.168.182.255 nmask=255.255.255.0 - added interface ip=172.16.200.1 bcast=172.16.200.255 nmask=255.255.255.0 - Domain=[TUX-NET] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 2.2.3a.200204262025cvs] - NT_STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_COLLISION making remote directory \WIN40 - putting file /var/spool/cups/tmp/3cd1cc66376c0 as - \WIN40/infotec_IS2027.PPD (26091.5 kb/s) (average 26092.8 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADFONTS.MFM as - \WIN40/ADFONTS.MFM (11241.6 kb/s) (average 11812.9 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.DRV as - \WIN40/ADOBEPS4.DRV (16640.6 kb/s) (average 14679.3 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.HLP as - \WIN40/ADOBEPS4.HLP (11285.6 kb/s) (average 14281.5 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/DEFPRTR2.PPD as - \WIN40/DEFPRTR2.PPD (823.5 kb/s) (average 12944.0 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ICONLIB.DLL as - \WIN40/ICONLIB.DLL (19226.2 kb/s) (average 13169.7 kb/s) - putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/PSMON.DLL as - \WIN40/PSMON.DLL (18666.1 kb/s) (average 13266.7 kb/s) - - Running command: rpcclient localhost -N -U'root%secret' - -c 'adddriver "Windows NT x86" - "infotec_IS2027:ADOBEPS5.DLL:infotec_IS2027.PPD:ADOBEPSU.DLL: - ADOBEPSU.HLP:NULL:RAW:NULL"' - cmd = adddriver "Windows NT x86" - "infotec_IS2027:ADOBEPS5.DLL:infotec_IS2027.PPD:ADOBEPSU.DLL: - ADOBEPSU.HLP:NULL:RAW:NULL" - Printer Driver infotec_IS2027 successfully installed. - - Running command: rpcclient localhost -N -U'root%secret' - -c 'adddriver "Windows 4.0" - "infotec_IS2027:ADOBEPS4.DRV:infotec_IS2027.PPD:NULL: - ADOBEPS4.HLP:PSMON.DLL:RAW: ADFONTS.MFM,DEFPRTR2.PPD,ICONLIB.DLL"' - cmd = adddriver "Windows 4.0" "infotec_IS2027:ADOBEPS4.DRV: - infotec_IS2027.PPD:NULL:ADOBEPS4.HLP:PSMON.DLL:RAW: - ADFONTS.MFM,DEFPRTR2.PPD,ICONLIB.DLL" - Printer Driver infotec_IS2027 successfully installed. - - Running command: rpcclient localhost -N -U'root%secret' - -c 'setdriver infotec_IS2027 infotec_IS2027' - cmd = setdriver infotec_IS2027 infotec_IS2027 - Succesfully set infotec_IS2027 to driver infotec_IS2027. - - <prompt>root# </prompt> -</programlisting></para> - -<para> -If you look closely, you'll discover your root password was transfered unencrypted over -the wire, so beware! Also, if you look further her, you'll discover error messages like -<constant>NT_STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_COLLISION</constant> in between. They occur, because -the directories <filename>WIN40</filename> and <filename>W32X86</filename> already -existed in the [print$] driver download share (from a previous driver -installation). They are harmless here. -</para> - -<para> -Now your printer is prepared for the clients to use. From -a client, browse to the CUPS/Samba server, open the "Printers" -share, right-click on this printer and select "Install..." or -"Connect..." (depending on the Windows version you use). Now their -should be a new printer in your client's local "Printers" folder, -named (in my case) "infotec_IS2027 on kdebitshop" -</para> - -<para> -<emphasis>NOTE: </emphasis> -<command>cupsaddsmb</command> will only reliably work i -with CUPS version 1.1.15 or higher +<warning><para> +You will see the root password for the Samba account printed on +screen. If you use remote access, the password will go over the wire +unencrypted! +</para></warning> + +<para><screen> + + # cupsaddsmb -U root -v infotec_2105 + Password for root required to access localhost via SAMBA: + Running command: smbclient //localhost/print\$ -N -U'root%secret' -c 'mkdir W32X86;put \ + /var/spool/cups/tmp/3e98bf2d333b5 W32X86/infotec_2105.ppd;put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/cupsdrvr.dll W32X86/cupsdrvr.dll;put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/cupsui.dll W32X86/cupsui.dll;put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/cups.hlp W32X86/cups.hlp' + added interface ip=10.160.51.60 bcast=10.160.51.255 nmask=255.255.252.0 + Domain=[CUPS-PRINT] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 2.2.7a] + NT_STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_COLLISION making remote directory \W32X86 + putting file /var/spool/cups/tmp/3e98bf2d333b5 as \W32X86/infotec_2105.ppd (2328.8 kb/s) \ + (average 2328.8 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/cupsdrvr.dll as \W32X86/cupsdrvr.dll (9374.3 kb/s) \ + (average 5206.6 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/cupsui.dll as \W32X86/cupsui.dll (8107.2 kb/s) \ + (average 5984.1 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/cups.hlp as \W32X86/cups.hlp (3475.0 kb/s) \ + (average 5884.7 kb/s) + + Running command: rpcclient localhost -N -U'root%secret' -c 'adddriver "Windows NT x86" \ + "infotec_2105:cupsdrvr.dll:infotec_2105.ppd:cupsui.dll:cups.hlp:NULL: \ + RAW:NULL"' + cmd = adddriver "Windows NT x86" "infotec_2105:cupsdrvr.dll:infotec_2105.ppd:cupsui.dll: \ + cups.hlp:NULL:RAW:NULL" + Printer Driver infotec_2105 successfully installed. + + Running command: smbclient //localhost/print\$ -N -U'root%secret' -c 'mkdir WIN40;put \ + /var/spool/cups/tmp/3e98bf2d333b5 WIN40/infotec_2105.PPD; put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADFONTS.MFM WIN40/ADFONTS.MFM;put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.DRV WIN40/ADOBEPS4.DRV;put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.HLP WIN40/ADOBEPS4.HLP;put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/DEFPRTR2.PPD WIN40/DEFPRTR2.PPD;put \ + /usr/share/cups/drivers/ICONLIB.DLL + WIN40/ICONLIB.DLL;put /usr/share/cups/drivers/PSMON.DLL WIN40/PSMON.DLL;' + added interface ip=10.160.51.60 bcast=10.160.51.255 nmask=255.255.252.0 + Domain=[CUPS-PRINT] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 2.2.7a] + NT_STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_COLLISION making remote directory \WIN40 + putting file /var/spool/cups/tmp/3e98bf2d333b5 as \WIN40/infotec_2105.PPD (2328.8 kb/s) \ + (average 2328.8 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADFONTS.MFM as \WIN40/ADFONTS.MFM (9368.0 kb/s) \ + (average 6469.6 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.DRV as \WIN40/ADOBEPS4.DRV (9958.2 kb/s) \ + (average 8404.3 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ADOBEPS4.HLP as \WIN40/ADOBEPS4.HLP (8341.5 kb/s) \ + (average 8398.6 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/DEFPRTR2.PPD as \WIN40/DEFPRTR2.PPD (2195.9 kb/s) \ + (average 8254.3 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/ICONLIB.DLL as \WIN40/ICONLIB.DLL (8239.9 kb/s) \ + (average 8253.6 kb/s) + putting file /usr/share/cups/drivers/PSMON.DLL as \WIN40/PSMON.DLL (6222.2 kb/s) \ + (average 8188.5 kb/s) + + Running command: rpcclient localhost -N -U'root%secret' -c 'adddriver "Windows 4.0" \ + "infotec_2105:ADOBEPS4.DRV:infotec_2105.PPD:NULL:ADOBEPS4.HLP: \ + PSMON.DLL:RAW:ADOBEPS4.DRV,infotec_2105.PPD,ADOBEPS4.HLP,PSMON.DLL, \ + ADFONTS.MFM,DEFPRTR2.PPD,ICONLIB.DLL"' + cmd = adddriver "Windows 4.0" "infotec_2105:ADOBEPS4.DRV:infotec_2105.PPD:NULL: \ + ADOBEPS4.HLP:PSMON.DLL:RAW:ADOBEPS4.DRV,infotec_2105.PPD,ADOBEPS4.HLP, \ + PSMON.DLL,ADFONTS.MFM,DEFPRTR2.PPD,ICONLIB.DLL" + Printer Driver infotec_2105 successfully installed. + + Running command: rpcclient localhost -N -U'root%secret' \ + -c 'setdriver infotec_2105 infotec_2105' + cmd = setdriver infotec_2105 infotec_2105 + Succesfully set infotec_2105 to driver infotec_2105. + +</screen></para> + +<para> +If you look closely, you'll discover your root password was transfered +unencrypted over the wire, so beware! Also, if you look further her, +you'll discover error messages like NT_STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_COLLISION in +between. They occur, because the directories WIN40 and W32X86 already +existed in the <parameter>[print$]</parameter> driver download share +(from a previous driver installation). They are harmless here. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Understanding cupsaddsmb</title> + +<para> +What has happened? What did cupsaddsmb do? There are five stages of +the procedure +</para> + +<orderedlist> + +<listitem><para>call the CUPS server via IPP and request the +driver files and the PPD file for the named printer;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>store the files temporarily in the local +TEMPDIR (as defined in +<filename>cupsd.conf</filename>);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>connect via smbclient to the Samba server's + <parameter>[print$]</parameter> share and put the files into the + share's WIN40 (for Win95/98/ME) and W32X86/ (for WinNT/2k/XP) sub + directories;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>connect via rpcclient to the Samba server and +execute the "adddriver" command with the correct +parameters;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>connect via rpcclient to the Samba server a second +time and execute the "setdriver" command.</para></listitem> +</orderedlist> + +<para> +Note, that you can run the cupsaddsmb utility with parameters to +specify one remote host as Samba host and a second remote host as CUPS +host. Especially if you want to get a deeper understanding, it is a +good idea try it and see more clearly what is going on (though in real +life most people will have their CUPS and Samba servers run on the +same host): +</para> + +<para><screen> + + # cupsaddsmb -H sambaserver -h cupsserver -v printername + +</screen></para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>How to recognize if cupsaddsm completed successfully</title> + +<para> +You <emphasis>must</emphasis> always check if the utility completed +successfully in all fields. You need as a minimum these 3 messages +amongst the output: +</para> + +<orderedlist> + +<listitem><para><emphasis>Printer Driver infotec_2105 successfully +installed.</emphasis> # (for the W32X86 == WinNT/2K/XP +architecture...)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><emphasis>Printer Driver infotec_2105 successfully +installed.</emphasis> # (for the WIN40 == Win9x/ME +architecture...)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><emphasis>Succesfully set [printerXPZ] to driver +[printerXYZ].</emphasis></para></listitem> +</orderedlist> + +<para> +These messages probably not easily recognized in the general +output. If you run cupsaddsmb with the <parameter>-a</parameter> +parameter (which tries to prepare <emphasis>all</emphasis> active CUPS +printer drivers for download), you might miss if individual printers +drivers had problems to install properly. Here a redirection of the +output will help you analyze the results in retrospective. +</para> + +<note><para> +It is impossible to see any diagnostic output if you don't run +cupsaddsmb in verbose mode. Therefore we strongly recommend to not +use the default quiet mode. It will hide any problems from you which +might occur. +</para></note> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>cupsaddsmb with a Samba PDC</title> + +<para> +You can't get the standard cupsaddsmb command to run on a Samba PDC? +You are asked for the password credential all over again and again and +the command just will not take off at all? Try one of these +variations: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + # cupsaddsmb -U DOMAINNAME\\root -v printername + # cupsaddsmb -H SAMBA-PDC -U DOMAINNAME\\root -v printername + # cupsaddsmb -H SAMBA-PDC -U DOMAINNAME\\root -h cups-server -v printername + +</screen></para> + +<para> +(Note the two backslashes: the first one is required to +"escape" the second one). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>cupsaddsmb Flowchart</title> + +<para> +Here is a chart about the procedures, commandflows and +dataflows of the "cupaddsmb" command. Note again: cupsaddsmb is +not intended to, and does not work with, "raw" queues! +</para> + +<para> +<figure><title>cupsaddsmb flowchart</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/14small.png"/> +</figure> +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Installing the PostScript Driver on a Client</title> + +<para> +After cupsaddsmb completed, your driver is prepared for the clients to +use. Here are the steps you must perform to download and install it +via "Point'n'Print". From a Windows client, browse to the CUPS/Samba +server; +</para> + +<itemizedlist> + +<listitem><para>open the <emphasis>Printers</emphasis> +share of Samba in Network Neighbourhood;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>right-click on the printer in +question;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>from the opening context-menu select +<emphasis>Install...</emphasis> or +<emphasis>Connect...</emphasis> (depending on the Windows version you +use).</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +After a few seconds, there should be a new printer in your +client's <emphasis>local</emphasis> "Printers" folder: On Windows +XP it will follow a naming convention of <emphasis>PrinterName on +SambaServer</emphasis>. (In my current case it is "infotec_2105 on +kde-bitshop"). If you want to test it and send your first job from +an application like Winword, the new printer will appears in a +<filename>\\SambaServer\PrinterName</filename> entry in the +dropdown list of available printers. +</para> + +<note><para> +cupsaddsmb will only reliably work with CUPS version 1.1.15 or higher and Samba from 2.2.4. If it doesn't work, or if the automatic printer driver download to the clients doesn't succeed, you can still manually install the CUPS printer PPD on top of the Adobe PostScript driver on -clients and then point the client's printer queue to the Samba printer -share for connection, should you desire to use the CUPS networked -PostScript RIP functions. +clients. Then point the client's printer queue to the Samba printer +share for a UNC type of connection: +</para></note> + +<para><screen> + + net use lpt1: \\sambaserver\printershare /user:ntadmin + +</screen></para> + +<para> +should you desire to use the CUPS networked PostScript RIP +functions. (Note that user "ntadmin" needs to be a valid Samba user +with the required privileges to access the printershare) This would +set up the printer connection in the traditional +<emphasis>LanMan</emphasis> way (not using MS-RPC). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Avoiding critical PostScript Driver Settings on the +Client</title> + +<para> +Soooo: printing works, but there are still problems. Most jobs print +well, some don't print at all. Some jobs have problems with fonts, +which don't look very good. Some jobs print fast, and some are +dead-slow. Many of these problems can be greatly reduced or even +completely eliminated if you follow a few guidelines. Remember, if +your print device is not PostScript-enabled, you are treating your +Ghostscript installation on your CUPS host with the output your client +driver settings produce. Treat it well: </para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>Avoid the <emphasis>PostScript Output Option: Optimize +for Speed</emphasis> settting. Rather use the <emphasis>Optimize for +Portability</emphasis> instead (Adobe PostScript +driver).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Don't use the <emphasis>Page Independence: +NO</emphasis> setting. Instead use <emphasis>Page Independence +YES</emphasis> (CUPS PostScript Driver)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Recommended is the <emphasis>True Type Font +Downloading Option: Native True Type</emphasis> over +<emphasis>Automatic</emphasis> and <emphasis>Outline</emphasis>; you +should by all means avoid <emphasis>Bitmap</emphasis> (Adobe +PostScript Driver)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Choose <emphasis>True Type Font: Download as Softfont +into Printer</emphasis> over the default <emphasis>Replace by Device +Font</emphasis> (for exotic fonts you may need to change it back to +get a printout at all) (Adobe)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Sometimes you can choose <emphasis>PostScript Language +Level</emphasis>: in case of problems try <emphasis>2</emphasis> +instead of <emphasis>3</emphasis> (the latest ESP Ghostscript package +handels Level 3 PostScript very well) (Adobe).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Say <emphasis>Yes</emphasis> to <emphasis>PostScript +Error Handler</emphasis> (Adobe)</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> </sect2> </sect1> +<sect1> +<title>Installing PostScript Driver Files manually (using +rpcclient)</title> + +<para> +Of course you can run all the commands which are embedded into the +cupsaddsmb convenience utility yourself, one by one, and hereby upload +and prepare the driver files for future client downloads. +</para> + +<orderedlist> +<listitem><para>prepare Samba (a CUPS printqueue with the name of the +printer should be there. We are providing the driver +now);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>copy all files to +<parameter>[print$]:</parameter></para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>run <command>rpcclient adddriver</command> +(for each client architecture you want to support):</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>run <command>rpcclient +setdriver.</command></para></listitem> +</orderedlist> + +<para> +We are going to do this now. First, read the man page on "rpcclient" +to get a first idea. Look at all the printing related +sub-commands. <command>enumprinters</command>, +<command>enumdrivers</command>, <command>enumports</command>, +<command>adddriver</command>, <command>setdriver</command> are amongst +the most interesting ones. rpcclient implements an important part of +the MS-RPC protocol. You can use it to query (and command) a Win NT +(or 2K/XP) PC too. MS-RPC is used by Windows clients, amongst other +things, to benefit from the "Point'n' Print" features. Samba can now +mimic this too. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>A Check of the rpcclient man Page</title> + +<para> +First let's have a little check of the rpcclient man page. Here are +two relevant passages: +</para> + +<para> +<command>adddriver <arch> <config></command> Execute an +AddPrinterDriver() RPC to install the printer driver information on +the server. Note that the driver files should already exist in the +directory returned by <command>getdriverdir</command>. Possible +values for <parameter>arch</parameter> are the same as those for the +<command>getdriverdir</command> command. The +<parameter>config</parameter> parameter is defined as follows: +</para> + +<para><screen> +Long Printer Name:\ +Driver File Name:\ +Data File Name:\ +Config File Name:\ +Help File Name:\ +Language Monitor Name:\ +Default Data Type:\ +Comma Separated list of Files +</screen></para> + +<para>Any empty fields should be enter as the string "NULL". </para> + +<para>Samba does not need to support the concept of Print Monitors +since these only apply to local printers whose driver can make use of +a bi-directional link for communication. This field should be "NULL". +On a remote NT print server, the Print Monitor for a driver must +already be installed prior to adding the driver or else the RPC will +fail +</para> + +<para> +<command>setdriver <printername> <drivername></command> +Execute a <command>SetPrinter()</command> command to update the +printer driver associated with an installed printer. The printer +driver must already be correctly installed on the print server. +</para> + +<para> See also the enumprinters and enumdrivers commands for +obtaining a list of installed printers and drivers. +</para> + +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Understanding the rpcclient man Page</title> + +<para> +The <emphasis>exact</emphasis> format isn't made too clear by the man +page, since you have to deal with some parameters containing +spaces. Here is a better description for it. We have line-broken the +command and indicated the breaks with "\". Usually you would type the +command in one line without the linebreaks: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + adddriver "Architecture" \ + "LongPrinterName:DriverFile:DataFile:ConfigFile:HelpFile:\ + LanguageMonitorFile:DataType:ListOfFiles,Comma-separated" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +What the man pages denotes as a simple <config> +keyword, does in reality consist of 8 colon-separated fields. The +last field may take multiple (in some, very insane, cases, even +20 different additional files. This might sound confusing at first. +Note, that what the man pages names the "LongPrinterName" in +reality should rather be called the "Driver Name". You can name it +anything you want, as long as you use this name later in the +<emphasis>rpcclient ... setdriver</emphasis> command. For +practical reasons, many name the driver the same as the +printer. +</para> + +<para> +True: it isn't simple at all. I hear you asking: +<emphasis>How do I know which files are "Driver +File", "Data File", "Config File", "Help File" and "Language +Monitor File" in each case?</emphasis> -- For an answer you may +want to have a look at how a Windows NT box with a shared printer +presents the files to us. Remember, that this whole procedure has +to be developed by the Samba Team by overhearing the traffic caused +by Windows computers on the wire. We may as well turn to a Windows +box now, and access it from a UNIX workstation. We will query it +with <command>rpcclient</command> to see what it tells us and +try to understand the man page more clearly which we've read just +now. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Producing an Example by querying a Windows Box</title> + +<para> +We could run <command>rpcclient</command> with a +<command>getdriver</command> or a <command>getprinter</command> +subcommand (in level 3 verbosity) against it. Just sit down at UNIX or +Linux workstation with the Samba utilities installed. Then type the +following command: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + rpcclient -U'USERNAME%PASSWORD' NT-SERVER-NAME -c 'getdriver printername 3' + +</screen></para> + +<para> +From the result it should become clear which is which. Here is an +example from my installation: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient -U'Danka%xxxx' W2KSERVER -c'getdriver "DANKA InfoStream Virtual Printer" 3' + cmd = getdriver "DANKA InfoStream Virtual Printer" 3 + + [Windows NT x86] + Printer Driver Info 3: + Version: [2] + Driver Name: [DANKA InfoStream] + Architecture: [Windows NT x86] + Driver Path: [C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\2\PSCRIPT.DLL] + Datafile: [C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\2\INFOSTRM.PPD] + Configfile: [C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\2\PSCRPTUI.DLL] + Helpfile: [C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\2\PSCRIPT.HLP] + + Dependentfiles: [] + Dependentfiles: [] + Dependentfiles: [] + Dependentfiles: [] + Dependentfiles: [] + Dependentfiles: [] + Dependentfiles: [] + + Monitorname: [] + Defaultdatatype: [] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Some printer drivers list additional files under the label +"Dependentfiles": these would go into the last field +<emphasis>ListOfFiles,Comma-separated</emphasis>. For the CUPS +PostScript drivers we don't need any (nor would we for the Adobe +PostScript driver): therefore the field will get a "NULL" entry. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>What is required for adddriver and setdriver to succeed</title> + +<para> +From the manpage (and from the quoted output +of<emphasis>cupsaddsmb</emphasis>, above) it becomes clear that you +need to have certain conditions in order to make the manual uploading +and initializing of the driver files succeed. The two rpcclient +subcommands (<command>adddriver</command> and +<command>setdriver</command>) need to encounter the following +pre-conditions to complete successfully: +</para> +<itemizedlist> + +<listitem><para>you are connected as "printer admin", or root (note, +that this is <emphasis>not</emphasis> the "Printer Operators" group in +NT, but the <emphasis>printer admin</emphasis> group, as defined in +the <parameter>[global]</parameter> section of +<filename>smb.conf</filename>);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>copy all required driver files to +<filename>\\sambaserver\print$\w32x86</filename> and +<filename>\\sambaserver\print$\win40</filename> as appropriate. They +will end up in the "0" respective "2" subdirectories later -- for now +<emphasis>don't</emphasis> put them there, they'll be automatically +used by the <command>adddriver</command> subcommand.! (if you use +"smbclient" to put the driver files into the share, note that you need +to escape the "$": <command>smbclient //sambaserver/print\$ -U +root</command>);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the user you're connecting as must be able to write to +the <parameter>[print$]</parameter> share and create +subdirectories;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the printer you are going to setup for the Windows +clients, needs to be installed in CUPS already;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the CUPS printer must be known to Samba, otherwise the +<command>setdriver</command> subcommand fails with an +NT_STATUS_UNSUCCESSFUL error. To check if the printer is known by +Samba you may use the <command>enumprinters</command> subcommand to +rpcclient. A long-standing bug prevented a proper update of the +printer list until every smbd process had received a SIGHUP or was +restarted. Remember this in case you've created the CUPS printer just +shortly ago and encounter problems: try restarting +Samba.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Manual Commandline Driver Installation in 15 little Steps</title> + +<para> +We are going to install a printer driver now by manually executing all +required commands. As this may seem a rather complicated process at +first, we go through the procedure step by step, explaining every +single action item as it comes up. +</para> + +<sect3> +<title>First Step: Install the Printer on CUPS</title> + +<para><screen> + +# lpadmin -p mysmbtstprn -v socket://10.160.51.131:9100 -E -P /home/kurt/canonIR85.ppd + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This installs printer with the name <emphasis>mysmbtstprn</emphasis> +to the CUPS system. The printer is accessed via a socket +(a.k.a. JetDirect or Direct TCP/IP) connection. You need to be root +for this step +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Second Step (optional): Check if the Printer is recognized by +Samba</title> + +<para><screen> + + # rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'enumprinters' localhost | grep -C2 mysmbtstprn + + flags:[0x800000] + name:[\\kde-bitshop\mysmbtstprn] + description:[\\kde-bitshop\mysmbtstprn,,mysmbtstprn] + comment:[mysmbtstprn] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This should show the printer in the list. If not, stop and re-start +the Samba daemon (smbd), or send a HUP signal: <command>kill -HUP +`pidof smbd`</command>. Check again. Troubleshoot and repeat until +success. Note the "empty" field between the two commas in the +"description" line. Here would the driver name appear if there was one +already. You need to know root's Samba password (as set by the +<command>smbpasswd</command> command) for this step and most of the +following steps. Alternatively you can authenticate as one of the +users from the "write list" as defined in <filename>smb.conf</filename> for +<parameter>[print$]</parameter>. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Third Step (optional): Check if Samba knows a Driver for the +Printer</title> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'getprinter mysmbtstprn 2' localhost | grep driver + drivername:[] + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'getprinter mysmbtstprn 2' localhost | grep -C4 driv + servername:[\\kde-bitshop] + printername:[\\kde-bitshop\mysmbtstprn] + sharename:[mysmbtstprn] + portname:[Samba Printer Port] + drivername:[] + comment:[mysmbtstprn] + location:[] + sepfile:[] + printprocessor:[winprint] + +# rpcclient -U root%xxxx -c 'getdriver mysmbtstprn' localhost + result was WERR_UNKNOWN_PRINTER_DRIVER + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Neither method of the three commands shown above should show a driver. +This step was done for the purpose of demonstrating this condition. An +attempt to connect to the printer at this stage will prompt the +message along the lines: "The server has not the required printer +driver installed". +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Fourth Step: Put all required Driver Files into Samba's +<parameter>[print$]</parameter></title> + +<para><screen> + +# smbclient //localhost/print\$ -U 'root%xxxx' \ + -c 'cd W32X86; \ + put /etc/cups/ppd/mysmbtstprn.ppd mysmbtstprn.PPD; \ + put /usr/share/cups/drivers/cupsui.dll cupsui.dll; \ + put /usr/share/cups/drivers/cupsdrvr.dll cupsdrvr.dll; \ + put /usr/share/cups/drivers/cups.hlp cups.hlp' + +</screen></para> + +<para> +(Note that this command should be entered in one long single +line. Line-breaks and the line-end indicating "\" has been inserted +for readability reasons.) This step is <emphasis>required</emphasis> +for the next one to succeed. It makes the driver files physically +present in the <parameter>[print$]</parameter> share. However, clients +would still not be able to install them, because Samba does not yet +treat them as driver files. A client asking for the driver would still +be presented with a "not installed here" message. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Fifth Step: Verify where the Driver Files are now</title> + +<para><screen> + +# ls -l /etc/samba/drivers/W32X86/ + total 669 + drwxr-sr-x 2 root ntadmin 532 May 25 23:08 2 + drwxr-sr-x 2 root ntadmin 670 May 16 03:15 3 + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 14234 May 25 23:21 cups.hlp + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 278380 May 25 23:21 cupsdrvr.dll + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 215848 May 25 23:21 cupsui.dll + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 169458 May 25 23:21 mysmbtstprn.PPD + +</screen></para> + +<para> +The driver files now are in the W32X86 architecture "root" of +<parameter>[print$]</parameter>. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Sixth Step: Tell Samba that these are +<emphasis>Driver</emphasis> Files +(<command>adddriver</command>)</title> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c `adddriver "Windows NT x86" "mydrivername: \ + cupsdrvr.dll:mysmbtstprn.PPD: \ + cupsui.dll:cups.hlp:NULL:RAW<citation>:</citation>NULL" \ + localhost + + Printer Driver mydrivername successfully installed. + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Note that your cannot repeat this step if it fails. It could fail even +as a result of a simple typo. It will most likely have moved a part of +the driver files into the "2" subdirectory. If this step fails, you +need to go back to the fourth step and repeat it, before you can try +this one again. In this step you need to choose a name for your +driver. It is normally a good idea to use the same name as is used for +the printername; however, in big installations you may use this driver +for a number of printers which have obviously different names. So the +name of the driver is not fixed. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Seventh Step: Verify where the Driver Files are now</title> + +<para><screen> + +# ls -l /etc/samba/drivers/W32X86/ + total 1 + drwxr-sr-x 2 root ntadmin 532 May 25 23:22 2 + drwxr-sr-x 2 root ntadmin 670 May 16 03:15 3 + + +# ls -l /etc/samba/drivers/W32X86/2 + total 5039 + [....] + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 14234 May 25 23:21 cups.hlp + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 278380 May 13 13:53 cupsdrvr.dll + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 215848 May 13 13:53 cupsui.dll + -rwxr--r-- 1 root ntadmin 169458 May 25 23:21 mysmbtstprn.PPD + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Notice how step 6 did also move the driver files to the appropriate +subdirectory. Compare with the situation after step 5. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Eighth Step (optional): Verify if Samba now recognizes the +Driver</title> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'enumdrivers 3' localhost | grep -B2 -A5 mydrivername + + Printer Driver Info 3: + Version: [2] + Driver Name: [mydrivername] + Architecture: [Windows NT x86] + Driver Path: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\cupsdrvr.dll] + Datafile: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\mysmbtstprn.PPD] + Configfile: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\cupsui.dll] + Helpfile: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\cups.hlp] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Remember, this command greps for the name you did choose for the +driver in step Six. This command must succeed before you can proceed. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Ninth Step: Tell Samba which Printer should use these Driver +Files (<command>setdriver</command>)</title> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'setdriver mysmbtstprn mydrivername' localhost + + Successfully set mysmbtstprn to driver mydrivername + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Since you can bind any printername (=printqueue) to any driver, this +is a very convenient way to setup many queues which use the same +driver. You don't need to repeat all the previous steps for the +setdriver command to succeed. The only pre-conditions are: +<command>enumdrivers</command> must find the driver and +<command>enumprinters</command> must find the printer. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Tenth Step (optional): Verify if Samba has this Association +recognized</title> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'getprinter mysmbtstprn 2' localhost | grep driver + drivername:[mydrivername] + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'getprinter mysmbtstprn 2' localhost | grep -C4 driv + servername:[\\kde-bitshop] + printername:[\\kde-bitshop\mysmbtstprn] + sharename:[mysmbtstprn] + portname:[Done] + drivername:[mydrivername] + comment:[mysmbtstprn] + location:[] + sepfile:[] + printprocessor:[winprint] + +# rpcclient -U root%xxxx -c 'getdriver mysmbtstprn' localhost + [Windows NT x86] + Printer Driver Info 3: + Version: [2] + Driver Name: [mydrivername] + Architecture: [Windows NT x86] + Driver Path: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\cupsdrvr.dll] + Datafile: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\mysmbtstprn.PPD] + Configfile: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\cupsui.dll] + Helpfile: [\\kde-bitshop\print$\W32X86\2\cups.hlp] + Monitorname: [] + Defaultdatatype: [RAW] + Monitorname: [] + Defaultdatatype: [RAW] + +# rpcclient -Uroot%xxxx -c 'enumprinters' localhost | grep mysmbtstprn + name:[\\kde-bitshop\mysmbtstprn] + description:[\\kde-bitshop\mysmbtstprn,mydrivername,mysmbtstprn] + comment:[mysmbtstprn] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Compare these results with the ones from steps 2 and 3. Note that +every single of these commands show the driver is installed. Even +the <command>enumprinters</command> command now lists the driver +on the "description" line. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Eleventh Step (optional): Tickle the Driver into a correct +Device Mode</title> + +<para> +You certainly know how to install the driver on the client. In case +you are not particularly familiar with Windows, here is a short +recipe: browse the Network Neighbourhood, go to the Samba server, look +for the shares. You should see all shared Samba printers. +Double-click on the one in question. The driver should get +installed, and the network connection set up. An alternative way is to +open the "Printers (and Faxes)" folder, right-click on the printer in +question and select "Connect" or "Install". As a result, a new printer +should have appeared in your client's local "Printers (and Faxes)" +folder, named something like "printersharename on Sambahostname". +</para> + +<para> +It is important that you execute this step as a Samba printer admin +(as defined in <filename>smb.conf</filename>). Here is another method +to do this on Windows XP. It uses a commandline, which you may type +into the "DOS box" (type root's smbpassword when prompted): +</para> + +<para><screen> + + C:\> runas /netonly /user:root "rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n \\sambacupsserver\mysmbtstprn" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Change any printer setting once (like <emphasis>"portrait" +--> "landscape"</emphasis>), click "Apply"; change the setting +back. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Twelveth Step: Install the Printer on a Client +("Point'n'Print")</title> + +<para><screen> + + C:\> rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n "\\sambacupsserver\mysmbtstprn" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +If it doesn't work it could be a permission problem with the +<parameter>[print$]</parameter> share. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Thirteenth Step (optional): Print a Test Page</title> + +<para><screen> + + C:\> rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /p /n "\\sambacupsserver\mysmbtstprn" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Then hit [TAB] 5 times, [ENTER] twice, [TAB] once and [ENTER] again +and march to the printer. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Fourteenth Step (recommended): Study the Test Page</title> + +<para> +Hmmm.... just kidding! By now you know everything about printer +installations and you don't need to read a word. Just put it in a +frame and bolt it to the wall with the heading "MY FIRST +RPCCLIENT-INSTALLED PRINTER" - why not just throw it away! +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Fifteenth Step (obligatory): Enjoy. Jump. Celebrate your +Success</title> + +<para><screen> + +# echo "Cheeeeerioooooo! Success..." >> /var/log/samba/log.smbd + +</screen></para> +</sect3> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Troubleshooting revisited</title> + +<para> +The setdriver command will fail, if in Samba's mind the queue is not +already there. You had promising messages about the: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + Printer Driver ABC successfully installed. + +</screen></para> + +<para> +after the "adddriver" parts of the procedure? But you are also seeing +a disappointing message like this one beneath? +</para> + +<para><screen> + + result was NT_STATUS_UNSUCCESSFUL + +</screen></para> + +<para> +It is not good enough that <emphasis>you</emphasis> +can see the queue <emphasis>in CUPS</emphasis>, using +the <command>lpstat -p ir85wm</command> command. A +bug in most recent versions of Samba prevents the proper update of +the queuelist. The recognition of newly installed CUPS printers +fails unless you re-start Samba or send a HUP to all smbd +processes. To verify if this is the reason why Samba doesn't +execute the setdriver command successfully, check if Samba "sees" +the printer: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient transmeta -N -U'root%secret' -c 'enumprinters 0'| grep ir85wm + printername:[ir85wm] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +An alternative command could be this: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# rpcclient transmeta -N -U'root%secret' -c 'getprinter ir85wm' + cmd = getprinter ir85wm + flags:[0x800000] + name:[\\transmeta\ir85wm] + description:[\\transmeta\ir85wm,ir85wm,DPD] + comment:[CUPS PostScript-Treiber für WinNT/2K/XP] + +</screen></para> + +<para> +BTW, you can use these commands, plus a few more, of course, +to install drivers on remote Windows NT print servers too! +</para> +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>The printing <filename>*.tdb</filename> Files</title> + +<para> +Some mystery is associated with the series of files with a +tdb-suffix appearing in every Samba installation. They are +<filename>connections.tdb</filename>, +<filename>printing.tdb</filename>, +<filename>share_info.tdb</filename> , +<filename>ntdrivers.tdb</filename>, +<filename>unexpected.tdb</filename>, +<filename>brlock.tdb</filename> , +<filename>locking.tdb</filename>, +<filename>ntforms.tdb</filename>, +<filename>messages.tdb</filename> , +<filename>ntprinters.tdb</filename>, +<filename>sessionid.tdb</filename> and +<filename>secrets.tdb</filename>. What is their purpose? +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>Trivial DataBase Files</title> + +<para> +A Windows NT (Print) Server keeps track of all information needed to serve +its duty toward its clients by storing entries in the Windows +"Registry". Client queries are answered by reading from the registry, +Administrator or user configuration settings are saved by writing into +the Registry. Samba and Unix obviously don't have such a kind of +Registry. Samba instead keeps track of all client related information in a +series of <filename>*.tdb</filename> files. (TDB = Trivial Data +Base). These are often located in <filename>/var/lib/samba/</filename> +or <filename>/var/lock/samba/</filename> . The printing related files +are <filename>ntprinters.tdb</filename>, +<filename>printing.tdb</filename>,<filename>ntforms.tdb</filename> and +<filename>ntdrivers.tdb</filename>. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Binary Format</title> + +<para> +<filename>*.tdb</filename> files are not human readable. They are +written in a binary format. "Why not ASCII?", you may ask. "After all, +ASCII configuration files are a good and proofed tradition on UNIX." +-- The reason for this design decision by the Samba Team is mainly +performance. Samba needs to be fast; it runs a separate +<command>smbd</command> process for each client connection, in some +environments many thousand of them. Some of these smbds might need to +write-access the same <filename>*.tdb</filename> file <emphasis>at the +same time</emphasis>. The file format of Samba's +<filename>*.tdb</filename> files allows for this provision. Many smbd +processes may write to the same <filename>*.tdb</filename> file at the +same time. This wouldn't be possible with pure ASCII files. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Losing <filename>*.tdb</filename> Files</title> + +<para> +It is very important that all <filename>*.tdb</filename> files remain +consistent over all write and read accesses. However, it may happen +that these files <emphasis>do</emphasis> get corrupted. (A +<command>kill -9 `pidof smbd`</command> while a write access is in +progress could do the damage as well as a power interruption, +etc.). In cases of trouble, a deletion of the old printing-related +<filename>*.tdb</filename> files may be the only option. You need to +re-create all print related setup after that. Or you have made a +backup of the <filename>*.tdb</filename> files in time. +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Using <emphasis>tdbbackup</emphasis></title> + +<para> +Samba ships with a little utility which helps the root user of your +system to back up your <filename>*.tdb</filename> files. If you run it +with no argument, it prints a little usage message: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# tdbbackup + Usage: tdbbackup [options] <fname...> + + Version:3.0a + -h this help message + -s suffix set the backup suffix + -v veryify mode (restore if corrupt) + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Here is how I backed up my printing.tdb file: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# ls + . browse.dat locking.tdb ntdrivers.tdb printing.tdb share_info.tdb + .. connections.tdb messages.tdb ntforms.tdb printing.tdbkp unexpected.tdb + brlock.tdb gmon.out namelist.debug ntprinters.tdb sessionid.tdb + + kde-bitshop:/var/lock/samba # tdbbackup -s .bak printing.tdb + printing.tdb : 135 records + + kde-bitshop:/var/lock/samba # ls -l printing.tdb* + -rw------- 1 root root 40960 May 2 03:44 printing.tdb + -rw------- 1 root root 40960 May 2 03:44 printing.tdb.bak + +</screen></para> +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>CUPS Print Drivers from Linuxprinting.org</title> + +<para> +CUPS ships with good support for HP LaserJet type printers. You can +install the generic driver as follows: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +lpadmin -p laserjet4plus -v parallel:/dev/lp0 -E -m laserjet.ppd + +</screen></para> + +<para> +The <parameter>-m</parameter> switch will retrieve the +<filename>laserjet.ppd</filename> from the standard repository for +not-yet-installed-PPDs, which CUPS typically stores in +<filename>/usr/share/cups/model</filename>. Alternatively, you may use +<parameter>-P /path/to/your.ppd</parameter>. +</para> + +<para> +The generic laserjet.ppd however does not support every special option +for every LaserJet-compatible model. It constitutes a sort of "least +denominator" of all the models. If for some reason it is ruled out to +you to pay for the commercially available ESP Print Pro drivers, your +first move should be to consult the database on <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi">http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi</ulink>. +Linuxprinting.org has excellent recommendations about which driver is +best used for each printer. Its database is kept current by the +tireless work of Till Kamppeter from MandrakeSoft, who is also the +principal author of the foomatic-rip utility. +</para> + +<note><para> +The former "cupsomatic" concept is now be replaced by the new, much +more powerful "foomatic-rip". foomatic-rip is the successor of +cupsomatic. cupsomatic is no longer maintained. Here is the new URL +to the Foomatic-3.0 database:<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/driver_list.cgi">http://www.linuxprinting.org/driver_list.cgi</ulink>. +If you upgrade to foomatic-rip, don't forget to also upgrade to the +new-style PPDs for your foomatic-driven printers. foomatic-rip will +not work with PPDs generated for the old cupsomatic. The new-style +PPDs are 100% compliant to the Adobe PPD specification. They are +intended to be used by Samba and the cupsaddsmb utility also, to +provide the driver files for the Windows clients also! +</para></note> + +<sect2> +<title>foomatic-rip and Foomatic explained</title> + +<para> +Nowadays most Linux distros rely on the utilities of Linuxprinting.org +to create their printing related software (which, BTW, works on all +UNIXes and on Mac OS X or Darwin too). It is not known as well as it +should be, that it also has a very end-user friendly interface which +allows for an easy update of drivers and PPDs, for all supported +models, all spoolers, all operatings systems and all package formats +(because there is none). Its history goes back a few years. +</para> + +<para> +Recently Foomatic has achieved the astonishing milestone of <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Anyone">1000 +listed</ulink> printer models. Linuxprinting.org keeps all the +important facts about printer drivers, supported models and which +options are available for the various driver/printer combinations in +its <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/foomatic.html">Foomatic</ulink> +database. Currently there are <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/driver_list.cgi">245 drivers</ulink> +in the database: many drivers support various models, and many models +may be driven by different drivers; it's your choice! +</para> + +<sect3> +<title>690 "perfect" Printers</title> + +<para> +At present there are 690 devices dubbed as working "perfectly", 181 +"mostly", 96 "partially" and 46 are "Paperweights". Keeping in mind +that most of these are non-PostScript models (PostScript printers are +automatically supported supported by CUPS to perfection, by using +their own manufacturer-provided Windows-PPD...), and that a +multifunctional device never qualifies as working "perfectly" if it +doesn't also scan and copy and fax under GNU/Linux: then this is a +truely astonishing achievement. Three years ago the number was not +more than 500, and Linux or UNIX "printing" at the time wasn't +anywhere near the quality it is today! +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>How the "Printing HOWTO" started it all</title> + +<para> +A few years ago <ulink +url="http://www2.picante.com:81/~gtaylor/">Grant Taylor</ulink> +started it all. The roots of today's Linuxprinting.org are in the +first <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/foomatic2.9/howto/">Linux Printing +HOWTO</ulink> which he authored. As a side-project to this document, +which served many Linux users and admins to guide their first steps in +this complicated and delicate setup (to a scientist, printing is +"applying a structured deposition of distinct patterns of ink or toner +particles on paper substrates" <emphasis>;-)</emphasis>, he started to +build in a little Postgres database with information about the +hardware and driver zoo that made up Linux printing of the time. This +database became the core component of today's Foomatic collection of +tools and data. In the meantime it has moved to an XML representation +of the data. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Foomatic's strange Name</title> + +<para> +"Why the funny name?", you ask. When it really took off, around spring +2000, CUPS was far less popular than today, and most systems used LPD, +LPRng or even PDQ to print. CUPS shipped with a few generic "drivers" +(good for a few hundred different printer models). These didn't +support many device-specific options. CUPS also shipped with its own +built-in rasterization filter ("pstoraster", derived from +Ghostscript). On the other hand, CUPS provided brilliant support for +<emphasis>controlling</emphasis> all printer options through +standardized and well-defined "PPD files" (PostScript Printers +Description files). Plus, CUPS was designed to be easily extensible. +</para> + +<para> +Grant already had in his database a respectable compilation +of facts about a many more printers, and the Ghostscript "drivers" +they run with. His idea, to generate PPDs from the database info +and use them to make standard Ghostscript filters work within CUPS, +proved to work very well. It also "killed several birds with one +stone": +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>It made all current and future Ghostscript filter +developments available for CUPS;</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>It made available a lot of additional printer models +to CUPS users (because often the "traditional" Ghostscript way of +printing was the only one available);</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>It gave all the advanced CUPS options (web interface, +GUI driver configurations) to users wanting (or needing) to use +Ghostscript filters.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>cupsomatic, pdqomatic, lpdomatic, directomatic</title> + +<para> +CUPS worked through a quickly-hacked up filter script named <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/download.cgi?filename=cupsomatic&show=0">cupsomatic</ulink>. +cupsomatic ran the printfile through Ghostscript, constructing +automatically the rather complicated command line needed. It just +required to be copied into the CUPS system to make it work. To +"configure" the way cupsomatic controls the Ghostscript rendering +process, it needs a CUPS-PPD. This PPD is generated directly from the +contents of the database. For CUPS and the respective printer/filter +combo another Perl script named "CUPS-O-Matic" did the PPD +generation. After that was working, Grant implemented within a few +days a similar thing for two other spoolers. Names chosen for the +config-generator scripts were <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/download.cgi?filename=lpdomatic&show=0">PDQ-O-Matic</ulink> +(for PDQ) and <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/download.cgi?filename=lpdomatic&show=0">LPD-O-Matic</ulink> +(for - you guessed it - LPD); the configuration here didn't use PPDs +but other spooler-specific files. +</para> + +<para> +From late summer of that year, <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/till/">Till Kamppeter</ulink> +started to put work into the database. Till had been newly employed by +<ulink url="http://www.mandrakesoft.com/">MandrakeSoft</ulink> to +convert their printing system over to CUPS, after they had seen his +<ulink url="http://www.fltk.org/">FLTK</ulink>-based <ulink +url="http://cups.sourceforge.net/xpp/">XPP</ulink> (a GUI frontend to +the CUPS lp-command). He added a huge amount of new information and new +printers. He also developed the support for other spoolers, like +<ulink url="http://ppr.sourceforge.net/">PPR</ulink> (via ppromatic), +<ulink url="http://sourceforge.net/projects/lpr/">GNUlpr</ulink> and +<ulink url="http://www.lprng.org/">LPRng</ulink> (both via an extended +lpdomatic) and "spoolerless" printing (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/download.cgi?filename=directomatic&show=0">directomatic</ulink>).... +</para> + +<para> +So, to answer your question: "Foomatic" is the general name for all +the overlapping code and data behind the "*omatic" scripts.... -- +Foomatic up to versions 2.0.x required (ugly) Perl data structures +attached the Linuxprinting.org PPDs for CUPS. It had a different +"*omatic" script for every spooler, as well as different printer +configuration files.. +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>7.13.1.5.The <emphasis>Grand Unification</emphasis> +achieved...</title> + +<para> +This all has changed in Foomatic versions 2.9 (Beta) and released as +"stable" 3.0. This has now achieved the convergence of all *omatic +scripts: it is called the <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/foomatic2.9/download.cgi?filename=foomatic-rip&show=0">foomatic-rip</ulink>. +This single script is the unification of the previously different +spooler-specific *omatic scripts. foomatic-rip is used by all the +different spoolers alike. Because foomatic-rip can read PPDs (both the +original PostScript printer PPDs and the Linuxprinting.org-generated +ones), all of a sudden all supported spoolers can have the power of +PPDs at their disposal; users only need to plug "foomatic-rip" into +their system.... For users there is improved media type and source +support; paper sizes and trays are easier to configure. +</para> + +<para> +Also, the New Generation of Linuxprinting.org PPDs doesn't contain +Perl data structures any more. If you are a distro maintainer and have +used the previous version of Foomatic, you may want to give the new +one a spin: but don't forget to generate a new-version set of PPDs, +via the new <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/download/foomatic/foomatic-db-engine-3.0.0beta1.tar.gz">foomatic-db-engine</ulink>! +Individual users just need to generate a single new PPD specific to +their model by <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/kpfeifle/LinuxKongress2002/Tutorial/II.Foomatic-User/II.tutorial-handout-foomatic-user.html">following +the steps</ulink> outlined in the Foomatic tutorial or further +below. This new development is truly amazing. +</para> + +<para> +foomatic-rip is a very clever wrapper around the need to run +Ghostscript with a different syntax, different options, different +device selections and/or different filters for each different printer +or different spooler. At the same time it can read the PPD associated +with a print queue and modify the print job according to the user +selections. Together with this comes the 100% compliance of the new +Foomatic PPDs with the Adobe spec. Some really innovative features of +the Foomatic concept will surprise users: it will support custom paper +sizes for many printers; and it will support printing on media drawn +from different paper trays within the same job (in both cases: even +where there is no support for this from Windows-based vendor printer +drivers). +</para> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Driver Development outside</title> + +<para> +Most driver development itself does not happen within +Linuxprinting.org. Drivers are written by independent maintainers. +Linuxprinting.org just pools all the information, and stores it in its +database. In addition, it also provides the Foomatic glue to integrate +the many drivers into any modern (or legacy) printing system known to +the world. +</para> + +<para> +Speaking of the different driver development groups: most of +the work is currently done in three projects. These are: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para><ulink +url="http://www-124.ibm.com/developerworks/oss/linux/projects/omni/">Omni</ulink> +-- a Free Software project by IBM which tries to convert their printer +driver knowledge from good-ol' OS/2 times into a modern, modular, +universal driver architecture for Linux/Unix (still Beta). This +currently supports 437 models.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><ulink url="http://hpinkjet.sf.net/">HPIJS</ulink> -- +a Free Software project by HP to provide the support for their own +range of models (very mature, printing in most cases is perfect and +provides true photo quality). This currently supports 369 +models.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para><ulink +url="http://gimp-print.sf.net/">Gimp-Print</ulink> -- a Free software +effort, started by Michael Sweet (also lead developer for CUPS), now +directed by Robert Krawitz, which has achieved an amazing level of +photo print quality (many Epson users swear that its quality is +better than the vendor drivers provided by Epson for the Microsoft +platforms). This currently supports 522 models.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Forums, Downloads, Tutorials, Howtos -- also for Mac OS X and +commercial Unix</title> + +<para> +Linuxprinting.org today is the one-stop "shop" to download printer +drivers. Look for printer information and <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org//kpfeifle/LinuxKongress2002/Tutorial/">tutorials</ulink> +or solve printing problems in its popular <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/newsportal/">forums</ulink>. But +it's not just for GNU/Linux: users and admins of <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/">commercial UNIX +systems</ulink> are also going there, and the relatively new <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/newsportal/thread.php3?name=linuxprinting.macosx.general">Mac +OS X forum</ulink> has turned out to be one of the most frequented +fora after only a few weeks. +</para> + +<para> +Linuxprinting.org and the Foomatic driver wrappers around Ghostscript +are now a standard toolchain for printing on all the important +distros. Most of them also have CUPS underneath. While in recent years +most printer data had been added by Till (who works at Mandrake), many +additional contributions came from engineers with SuSE, RedHat, +Connectiva, Debian and others. Vendor-neutrality is an important goal +of the Foomatic project. +</para> + +<note><para> +Till Kamppeter from MandrakeSoft is doing an excellent job in his +spare time to maintain Linuxprinting.org and Foomatic. So if you use +it often, please send him a note showing your appreciation. +</para></note> +</sect3> + +<sect3> +<title>Foomatic Database generated PPDs</title> + +<para> +The Foomatic database is an amazing piece of ingenuity in itself. Not +only does it keep the printer and driver information, but it is +organized in a way that it can generate "PPD" files "on the fly" from +its internal XML-based datasets. While these PPDs are modelled to the +Adobe specification of "PostScript Printer Descriptions" (PPDs), the +Linuxprinting.org/Foomatic-PPDs don't normally drive PostScript +printers: they are used to describe all the bells and whistles you +could ring or blow on an Epson Stylus inkjet, or a HP Photosmart or +what-have-you. The main "trick" is one little additional line, not +envisaged by the PPD specification, starting with the "*cupsFilter" +keyword: it tells the CUPS daemon how to proceed with the PostScript +print file (old-style Foomatic-PPDs named the +<emphasis>cupsomatic</emphasis> filter script, while the new-style +PPDs now call <emphasis>foomatic-rip</emphasis>). This filter +script calls Ghostscript on the host system (the recommended variant +is ESP Ghostscript) to do the rendering work. foomatic-rip knows which +filter or internal device setting it should ask from Ghostscript to +convert the PostScript printjob into a raster format ready for the +target device. This usage of PPDs to describe the options of non-PS +printers was the invention of the CUPS developers. The rest is easy: +GUI tools (like KDE's marvellous <ulink +url="http://printing.kde.org/overview/kprinter.phtml">"kprinter"</ulink>, +or the GNOME <ulink +url="http://gtklp.sourceforge.net/">"gtklp"</ulink>, "xpp" and the CUPS +web interface) read the PPD too and use this information to present +the available settings to the user as an intuitive menu selection. +</para> +</sect3> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>foomatic-rip and Foomatic-PPD Download and Installation</title> + +<para> +Here are the steps to install a foomatic-rip driven "LaserJet 4 Plus" +compatible printer in CUPS (note that recent distributions of SuSE, +UnitedLinux and Mandrake may ship with a complete package of +Foomatic-PPDs plus the foomatic-rip utility. going directly to +Linuxprinting.org ensures you to get the latest driver/PPD files): +</para> +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>Surf to <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi">http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi</ulink> +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Check the complete list of printers in the database: +<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Anyone">http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Anyone</ulink> +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>There select your model and click on the +link.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>You'll arrive at a page listing all drivers working +with this model (for all printers, there will always be +<emphasis>one</emphasis> recommended driver. Try this one +first).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>In our case ("HP LaserJet 4 Plus"), we'll arrive here: +<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=HP-LaserJet_4_Plus">http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=HP-LaserJet_4_Plus</ulink> +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>The recommended driver is "ljet4".</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>There are several links provided here. You should +visit them all, if you are not familiar with the Linuxprinting.org +database.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>There is a link to the database page for the "ljet4": +<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=ljet4">http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=ljet4</ulink> +On the driver's page, you'll find important and detailed information +about how to use that driver within the various available +spoolers.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Another link may lead you to the homepage of the +driver author or the driver.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Important links are the ones which provide hints with +setup instructions for CUPS (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/cups-doc.html">http://www.linuxprinting.org/cups-doc.html</ulink>), +PDQ (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/pdq-doc.html">http://www.linuxprinting.org/pdq-doc.html</ulink>), +LPD, LPRng and GNUlpr (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/lpd-doc.html">http://www.linuxprinting.org/lpd-doc.html</ulink>) +as well as PPR (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/ppr-doc.html">http://www.linuxprinting.org/ppr-doc.html)</ulink> +or "spooler-less" printing (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/direct-doc.html">http://www.linuxprinting.org/direct-doc.html</ulink> +).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>You can view the PPD in your browser through this +link: <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/ppd-o-matic.cgi?driver=ljet4&printer=HP-LaserJet_4_Plus&show=1">http://www.linuxprinting.org/ppd-o-matic.cgi?driver=ljet4&printer=HP-LaserJet_4_Plus&show=1</ulink> +</para></listitem> <listitem><para>You can also (most importantly) +generate and download the PPD: <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/ppd-o-matic.cgi?driver=ljet4&printer=HP-LaserJet_4_Plus&show=0">http://www.linuxprinting.org/ppd-o-matic.cgi?driver=ljet4&printer=HP-LaserJet_4_Plus&show=0</ulink> +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>The PPD contains all the information needed to use our +model and the driver; this is, once installed, working transparently +for the user. Later you'll only need to choose resolution, paper size +etc. from the web-based menu, or from the print dialog GUI, or from +the commandline.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Should you have ended up on the driver's page (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=ljet4">http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=ljet4</ulink>), +you can choose to use the "PPD-O-Matic" online PPD generator +program.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Select the exact model and check either "download" or +"display PPD file" and click on "Generate PPD file".</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>If you save the PPD file from the browser view, please +don't use "cut'n'past" (since it could possibly damage line endings +and tabs, which makes the PPD likely to fail its duty), but use "Save +as..." in your browser's menu. (Best is to use the "download" option +from the web page directly).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Another very interesting part on each driver page is +the <emphasis>Show execution details</emphasis> button. If you +select your printer model and click that button, you will get +displayed a complete Ghostscript command line, enumerating all options +available for that driver/printermodel combo. This is a great way to +"Learn Ghostscript By Doing". It is also an excellent "cheat sheet" +for all experienced users who need to re-construct a good command line +for that damn printing script, but can't remember the exact +syntax. ;-)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Some time during your visit to Linuxprinting.org, save +the PPD to a suitable place on your harddisk, say +<filename>/path/to/my-printer.ppd</filename> (if you prefer to install +your printers with the help of the CUPS web interface, save the PPD to +the <filename>/usr/share/cups/model/</filename> path and re-start +cupsd).</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Then install the printer with a suitable commandline, +e.g.: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +lpadmin -p laserjet4plus -v parallel:/dev/lp0 -E -P path/to/my-printer.ppd + +</screen></para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Note again this: for all the new-style "Foomatic-PPDs" +from Linuxprinting.org, you also need a special "CUPS filter" named +"foomatic-rip".Get the latest version of "foomatic-rip" from: <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/foomatic2.9/download.cgi?filename=foomatic-rip&show=0">http://www.linuxprinting.org/foomatic2.9/download.cgi?filename=foomatic-rip&show=0</ulink> +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>The foomatic-rip Perlscript itself also makes some +interesting reading (<ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/foomatic2.9/download.cgi?filename=foomatic-rip&show=1">http://www.linuxprinting.org/foomatic2.9/download.cgi?filename=foomatic-rip&show=1</ulink>), +because it is very well documented by Till's inline comments (even +non-Perl hackers will learn quite a bit about printing by reading +it... ;-)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Save foomatic-rip either directly in +<filename>/usr/lib/cups/filter/foomatic-rip</filename> or somewhere in +your $PATH (and don't forget to make it world-executable). Again, +don't save by "copy'n'paste" but use the appropriate link, or the +"Save as..." menu item in your browser.</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>If you save foomatic-rip in your $PATH, create a symlink: +<command>cd /usr/lib/cups/filter/ ; ln -s `which +foomatic-rip`</command>. For CUPS to discover this new +available filter at startup, you need to re-start +cupsd.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +Once you print to a printqueue set up with the Foomatic-PPD, CUPS will +insert the appropriate commands and comments into the resulting +PostScript jobfile. foomatic-rip is able to read and act upon +these. foomatic-rip uses some specially encoded Foomatic comments, +embedded in the jobfile. These in turn are used to construct +(transparently for you, the user) the complicated ghostscript command +line telling for the printer driver how exactly the resulting raster +data should look like and which printer commands to embed into the +data stream. +</para> + +<highlights><para> +You need: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> + +<listitem><para>A "foomatic+something" PPD -- but it this not enough +to print with CUPS (it is only <emphasis>one</emphasis> important +component)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>The "foomatic-rip" filter script (Perl) in +/usr/lib/cups/filters/</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Perl to make foomatic-rip run</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Ghostscript (because it is doing the main work, +controlled by the PPD/foomatic-rip combo) to produce the raster data +fit for your printermodel's consumption</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Ghostscript <emphasis>must</emphasis> (depending on +the driver/model) contain support for a certain "device", representing +the selected "driver" for your model (as shown by "gs +-h")</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>foomatic-rip needs a new version of PPDs (PPD versions +produced for cupsomatic don't work with +foomatic-rip).</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</highlights> +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>Page Accounting with CUPS</title> + +<para> +Often there are questions regarding "print quotas" wherein Samba users +(that is, Windows clients) should not be able to print beyond a +certain amount of pages or data volume per day, week or month. This +feature is dependent on the real print subsystem you're using. +Samba's part is always to receive the job files from the clients +(filtered <emphasis>or</emphasis> unfiltered) and hand it over to this +printing subsystem. +</para> + +<para> +Of course one could "hack" things with one's own scripts. But then +there is CUPS. CUPS supports "quotas" which can be based on sizes of +jobs or on the number of pages or both, and are spanning any time +period you want. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>Setting up Quotas</title> + +<para> +This is an example command how root would set a print quota in CUPS, +assuming an existing printer named "quotaprinter": +</para> + +<para><screen> + + lpadmin -p quotaprinter -o job-quota-period=604800 -o job-k-limit=1024 -o job-page-limit=100 + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This would limit every single user to print 100 pages or 1024 KB of +data (whichever comes first) within the last 604,800 seconds ( = 1 +week). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Correct and incorrect Accounting</title> + +<para> +For CUPS to count correctly, the printfile needs to pass the CUPS +"pstops" filter, otherwise it uses a "dummy" count of "1". Some +printfiles don't pass it (eg: image files) but then those are mostly 1 +page jobs anyway. This also means that proprietary drivers for the +target printer running on the client computers and CUPS/Samba, which +then spool these files as "raw" (i.e. leaving them untouched, not +filtering them), will be counted as "1-pagers" too! +</para> + +<para> +You need to send PostScript from the clients (i.e. run a PostScript +driver there) to have the chance to get accounting done. If the +printer is a non-PostScript model, you need to let CUPS do the job to +convert the file to a print-ready format for the target printer. This +will be working for currently about 1,000 different printer models, +see <ulink +url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi">http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi</ulink>). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Adobe and CUPS PostScript Drivers for Windows Clients</title> + +<para> +Before CUPS-1.1.16 your only option was to use the Adobe PostScript +Driver on the Windows clients. The output of this driver was not +always passed through the "pstops" filter on the CUPS/Samba side, and +therefore was not counted correctly (the reason is that it often, +depending on the "PPD" being used, wrote a "PJL"-header in front of +the real PostScript which caused CUPS to skip pstops and go directly +to the "pstoraster" stage). +</para> + +<para> +From CUPS-1.1.16 onward you can use the "CUPS PostScript Driver for +Windows NT/2K/XP clients" (which is tagged in the download area of +http://www.cups.org/ as the "cups-samba-1.1.16.tar.gz" package). It does +<emphasis>not</emphasis> work for Win9x/ME clients. But it guarantees: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> + +<listitem><para>to not write an PJL-header</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>to still read and support all PJL-options named in the +driver PPD with its own means</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> that the file will pass through the "pstops" filter +on the CUPS/Samba server</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>to page-count correctly the +printfile</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +You can read more about the setup of this combination in the manpage +for "cupsaddsmb" (which is only present with CUPS installed, and only +current from CUPS 1.1.16). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>The page_log File Syntax</title> + +<para> +These are the items CUPS logs in the "page_log" for every +single <emphasis>page</emphasis> of a job: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>Printer name</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>User name</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Job ID</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>Time of printing</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the page number</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the number of copies</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>a billing information string +(optional)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>the host which sent the job (included since version +1.1.19)</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<para> +Here is an extract of my CUPS server's page_log file to illustrate the +format and included items: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + infotec_IS2027 kurt 401 [22/Apr/2003:10:28:43 +0100] 1 3 #marketing 10.160.50.13 + infotec_IS2027 kurt 401 [22/Apr/2003:10:28:43 +0100] 2 3 #marketing 10.160.50.13 + infotec_IS2027 kurt 401 [22/Apr/2003:10:28:43 +0100] 3 3 #marketing 10.160.50.13 + infotec_IS2027 kurt 401 [22/Apr/2003:10:28:43 +0100] 4 3 #marketing 10.160.50.13 + DigiMaster9110 boss 402 [22/Apr/2003:10:33:22 +0100] 1 440 finance-dep 10.160.51.33 + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This was job ID "401", printed on "infotec_IS2027" by user "kurt", a +64-page job printed in 3 copies and billed to "#marketing", sent +from IP address 10.160.50.13. The next job had ID "402", was sent by +user "boss" from IP address 10.160.51.33,printed from one page 440 +copies and is set to be billed to "finance-dep". +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Possible Shortcomings</title> + +<para> +What flaws or shortcomings are there with this quota system? +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>the ones named above (wrongly logged job in case of +printer hardware failure, etc.)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>in reality, CUPS counts the job pages that are being +processed in <emphasis>software</emphasis> (that is, going through the +"RIP") rather than the physical sheets successfully leaving the +printing device. Thus if there is a jam while printing the 5th sheet out +of 1000 and the job is aborted by the printer, the "page count" will +still show the figure of 1000 for that job</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>all quotas are the same for all users (no flexibility +to give the boss a higher quota than the clerk) no support for +groups</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>no means to read out the current balance or the +"used-up" number of current quota</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>a user having used up 99 sheets of 100 quota will +still be able to send and print a 1,000 sheet job</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>a user being denied a job because of a filled-up quota +doesn't get a meaningful error message from CUPS other than +"client-error-not-possible".</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Future Developments</title> + +<para> +This is the best system currently available, and there are huge +improvements under development for CUPS 1.2: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>page counting will go into the "backends" (these talk +directly to the printer and will increase the count in sync with the +actual printing process: thus a jam at the 5th sheet will lead to a +stop in the counting)</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>quotas will be handled more flexibly</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>probably there will be support for users to inquire +their "accounts" in advance</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>probably there will be support for some other tools +around this topic</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Other Accounting Tools</title> + +<para> +PrintAnalyzer, pyKota, printbill, LogReport. +</para> +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>Additional Material</title> + +<para> +A printer queue with <emphasis>no</emphasis> PPD associated to it is a +"raw" printer and all files will go directly there as received by the +spooler. The exceptions are file types "application/octet-stream" +which need "passthrough feature" enabled. "Raw" queues don't do any +filtering at all, they hand the file directly to the CUPS backend. +This backend is responsible for the sending of the data to the device +(as in the "device URI" notation: <filename>lpd://, socket://, +smb://, ipp://, http://, parallel:/, serial:/, usb:/</filename> etc.) +</para> + +<para> +"cupsomatic"/Foomatic are <emphasis>not</emphasis> native CUPS drivers +and they don't ship with CUPS. They are a Third Party add-on, +developed at Linuxprinting.org. As such, they are a brilliant hack to +make all models (driven by Ghostscript drivers/filters in traditional +spoolers) also work via CUPS, with the same (good or bad!) quality as +in these other spoolers. "cupsomatic" is only a vehicle to execute a +ghostscript commandline at that stage in the CUPS filtering chain, +where "normally" the native CUPS "pstoraster" filter would kick +in. cupsomatic by-passes pstoraster, "kidnaps" the printfile from CUPS +away and re-directs it to go through Ghostscript. CUPS accepts this, +because the associated CUPS-O-Matic-/Foomatic-PPD specifies: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + *cupsFilter: "application/vnd.cups-postscript 0 cupsomatic" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This line persuades CUPS to hand the file to cupsomatic, once it has +successfully converted it to the MIME type +"application/vnd.cups-postscript". This conversion will not happen for +Jobs arriving from Windows which are auto-typed +"application/octet-stream", with the according changes in +<filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename> in place. +</para> + +<para> +CUPS is widely configurable and flexible, even regarding its filtering +mechanism. Another workaround in some situations would be to have in +<filename>/etc/cups/mime.types</filename> entries as follows: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/postscript application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - + application/vnd.cups-postscript application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - + +</screen></para> + +<para> +This would prevent all Postscript files from being filtered (rather, +they will through the virtual <emphasis>nullfilter</emphasis> +denoted with "-"). This could only be useful for PS printers. If you +want to print PS code on non-PS printers (provided they support ASCII +text printing) an entry as follows could be useful: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + */* application/vnd.cups-raw 0 - + +</screen></para> + +<para> +and would effectively send <emphasis>all</emphasis> files to the +backend without further processing. +</para> + +<para> +Lastly, you could have the following entry: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + application/vnd.cups-postscript application/vnd.cups-raw 0 my_PJL_stripping_filter + +</screen></para> + +<para> +You will need to write a <emphasis>my_PJL_stripping_filter</emphasis> +(could be a shellscript) that parses the PostScript and removes the +unwanted PJL. This would need to conform to CUPS filter design +(mainly, receive and pass the parameters printername, job-id, +username, jobtitle, copies, print options and possibly the +filename). It would be installed as world executable into +<filename>/usr/lib/cups/filters/</filename> and will be called by CUPS +if it encounters a MIME type "application/vnd.cups-postscript". +</para> + +<para> +CUPS can handle <emphasis>-o job-hold-until=indefinite</emphasis>. +This keeps the job in the queue "on hold". It will only be printed +upon manual release by the printer operator. This is a requirement in +many "central reproduction departments", where a few operators manage +the jobs of hundreds of users on some big machine, where no user is +allowed to have direct access (such as when the operators often need +to load the proper paper type before running the 10,000 page job +requested by marketing for the mailing, etc.). +</para> +</sect1> <sect1> -<title>The CUPS Filter Chains</title> +<title>Auto-Deletion or Preservation of CUPS Spool Files</title> + +<para> +Samba print files pass through two "spool" directories. One is the +incoming directory managed by Samba, (set in the <emphasis>path = +/var/spool/samba</emphasis> directive in the +<emphasis>[printers]</emphasis> section of +<filename>smb.conf</filename>). The other is the spool directory of +your UNIX print subsystem. For CUPS it is normally +<filename>/var/spool/cups/</filename>, as set by the cupsd.conf +directive <filename>RequestRoot /var/spool/cups</filename>. +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>CUPS Configuration Settings explained</title> + +<para> +Some important parameter settings in the CUPS configuration file +<filename>cupsd.conf</filename> are: +</para> + +<variablelist> + +<varlistentry><term>PreserveJobHistory Yes</term> +<listitem><para> +This keeps some details of jobs in cupsd's mind (well it keeps the +"c12345", "c12346" etc. files in the CUPS spool directory, which do a +similar job as the old-fashioned BSD-LPD control files). This is set +to "Yes" as a default. +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>PreserveJobFiles Yes</term> +<listitem><para> +This keeps the job files themselves in cupsd's mind +(well it keeps the "d12345", "d12346" etc. files in the CUPS spool +directory...). This is set to "No" as the CUPS +default. +</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term><emphasis>"MaxJobs 500"</emphasis></term> +<listitem><para> +This directive controls the maximum number of jobs +that are kept in memory. Once the number of jobs reaches the limit, +the oldest completed job is automatically purged from the system to +make room for the new one. If all of the known jobs are still +pending or active then the new job will be rejected. Setting the +maximum to 0 disables this functionality. The default setting is +0. +</para></listitem></varlistentry> +</variablelist> + +<para> +(There are also additional settings for "MaxJobsPerUser" and +"MaxJobsPerPrinter"...) +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Pre-conditions</title> + +<para> +For everything to work as announced, you need to have three +things: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>a Samba-smbd which is compiled against "libcups" (Check +on Linux by running "ldd `which smbd`")</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>a Samba-<filename>smb.conf</filename> setting of +"printing = cups"</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para>another Samba-<filename>smb.conf</filename> setting of +"printcap = cups"</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + +<note><para> +In this case all other manually set printing-related commands (like +"print command", "lpq command", "lprm command", "lppause command" or +"lpresume command") are ignored and they should normally have no +influence what-so-ever on your printing. +</para></note> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Manual Configuration</title> + +<para> +If you want to do things manually, replace the "printing = +cups" by "printing = bsd". Then your manually set commands may work +(haven't tested this), and a "print command = lp -d %P %s; rm %s" +may do what you need. +</para> +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>When <emphasis>not</emphasis> to use Samba to print to +CUPS</title> + +<para> +[TO BE DONE] +</para> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>In Case of Trouble.....</title> + +<para> +If you have more problems, post the output of these commands +to the CUPS or Samba mailing lists (choose the one which seems more +relevant to your problem): +</para> + +<para><screen> + + grep -v ^# /etc/cups/cupsd.conf | grep -v ^$ + grep -v ^# /etc/samba/smb.conf | grep -v ^$ | grep -v "^;" + +</screen></para> + +<para> +(adapt paths as needed). These commands leave out the empty +lines and lines with comments, providing the "naked settings" in a +compact way. Don't forget to name the CUPS and Samba versions you +are using! This saves bandwidth and makes for easier readability +for experts (and you are expecting experts to read them, right? +;-) +</para> + +<sect2> +<title>Where to find Documentation</title> + +<para> +[TO BE DONE] +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>How to ask for Help</title> + +<para> +[TO BE DONE] +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>Where to find Help</title> + +<para> +[TO BE DONE] +</para> +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1> +<title>Appendix</title> + +<sect2> +<title>Printing <emphasis>from</emphasis> CUPS to Windows attached +Printers</title> + +<para> +From time to time the question arises, how you can print +<emphasis>to</emphasis> a Windows attached printer +<emphasis>from</emphasis> Samba. Normally the local connection +"Windows host <--> printer" would be done by USB or parallel +cable, but this doesn't matter to Samba. From here only an SMB +connection needs to be opened to the Windows host. Of course, this +printer must be "shared" first. As you have learned by now, CUPS uses +<emphasis>backends</emphasis> to talk to printers and other +servers. To talk to Windows shared printers you need to use the +<emphasis>smb</emphasis> (surprise, surprise!) backend. Check if this +is in the CUPS backend directory. This resides usually in +<filename>/usr/lib/cups/backend/</filename>. You need to find a "smb" +file there. It should be a symlink to <filename>smbspool</filename> +which file must exist and be executable: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + # ls -l /usr/lib/cups/backend/ + total 253 + drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 720 Apr 30 19:04 . + drwxr-xr-x 6 root root 125 Dec 19 17:13 .. + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 10692 Feb 16 21:29 canon + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 10692 Feb 16 21:29 epson + lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 3 Apr 17 22:50 http -> ipp + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 17316 Apr 17 22:50 ipp + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 15420 Apr 20 17:01 lpd + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 8656 Apr 20 17:01 parallel + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 2162 Mar 31 23:15 pdfdistiller + lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 25 Apr 30 19:04 ptal -> /usr/local/sbin/ptal-cups + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 6284 Apr 20 17:01 scsi + lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 17 Apr 2 03:11 smb -> /usr/bin/smbspool + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 7912 Apr 20 17:01 socket + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 9012 Apr 20 17:01 usb + +# ls -l `which smbspool` + -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 563245 Dec 28 14:49 /usr/bin/smbspool + +</screen></para> + +<para> +If this symlink doesn't exist, create it: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# ln -s `which smbspool` /usr/lib/cups/backend/smb + +</screen></para> + +<para> +smbspool has been written by Mike Sweet from the CUPS folks. It is +included and ships with Samba. It may also be used with print +subsystems other than CUPS, to spool jobs to Windows printer shares. To +set up printer "winprinter" on CUPS, you need to have a "driver" for +it. Essentially this means to convert the print data on the CUPS/Samba +host to a format that the printer can digest (the Windows host is +unable to convert any files you may send). This also means you should +be able to print to the printer if it were hooked directly at your +Samba/CUPS host. For troubleshooting purposes, this is what you +should do, to determine if that part of the process chain is in +order. Then proceed to fix the network connection/authentication to +the Windows host, etc. +</para> + +<para> +To install a printer with the smb backend on CUPS, use this command: +</para> + +<para><screen> + +# lpadmin -p winprinter -v smb://WINDOWSNETBIOSNAME/printersharename -P /path/to/PPD + +</screen></para> + +<para> +The <emphasis>PPD</emphasis> must be able to direct CUPS to generate +the print data for the target model. For PostScript printers just use +the PPD that would be used with the Windows NT PostScript driver. But +what can you do if the printer is only accessible with a password? Or +if the printer's host is part of another workgroup? This is provided +for: you can include the required parameters as part of the +<filename>smb://</filename> device-URI. Like this: +</para> + +<para><screen> + + smb://WORKGROUP/WINDOWSNETBIOSNAME/printersharename + smb://username:password@WORKGROUP/WINDOWSNETBIOSNAME/printersharename + smb://username:password@WINDOWSNETBIOSNAME/printersharename + +</screen></para> + +<para> +Note that the device-URI will be visible in the process list of the +Samba server (e.g. when someone uses the <command>ps -aux</command> +command on Linux), even if the username and passwords are sanitized +before they get written into the log files. So this is an inherently +insecure option. However it is the only one. Don't use it if you want +to protect your passwords. Better share the printer in a way that +doesn't require a password! Printing will only work if you have a +working netbios name resolution up and running. Note that this is a +feature of CUPS and you don't necessarily need to have smbd running +(but who wants that? :-). +</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2> +<title>More CUPS filtering Chains</title> <para> The following diagrams reveal how CUPS handles print jobs. </para> -<programlisting> +<screen> ######################################################################### # # CUPS in and of itself has this (general) filter chain (CAPITAL # letters are FILE-FORMATS or MIME types, other are filters (this is # true for pre-1.1.15 of pre-4.3 versions of CUPS and ESP PrintPro): # -# <replaceable>SOMETHNG</replaceable>-FILEFORMAT -# | +# SOMETHNG-FILEFORMAT # | # V -# <replaceable>something</replaceable>tops -# | +# somethingtops # | # V # APPLICATION/POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # pstops # | -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # pstoraster # as shipped with CUPS, independent from any Ghostscipt # | # installation on the system # | (= "postscipt interpreter") -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER # | -# | # V -# rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> (f.e. Gimp-Print filters may be plugged in here) +# rastertosomething (e.g. Gimp-Print filters may be plugged in here) # | (= "raster driver") -# | # V # SOMETHING-DEVICE-SPECIFIC # | -# | # V # backend # # -# ESP PrintPro has some enhanced "rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable>" filters as compared to +# ESP PrintPro has some enhanced "rastertosomething" filters as compared to # CUPS, and also a somewhat improved "pstoraster" filter. # # NOTE: Gimp-Print and some other 3rd-Party-Filters (like TurboPrint) to -# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> is noted. +# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rastertosomething is noted. # ######################################################################### -</programlisting> +</screen> -<programlisting> +<screen> ######################################################################### # # This is how "cupsomatic" comes into play: # ========================================= # -# <replaceable>SOMETHNG</replaceable>-FILEFORMAT -# | +# SOMETHNG-FILEFORMAT # | # V -# <replaceable>something</replaceable>tops -# | +# somethingtops # | # V # APPLICATION/POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # pstops # | -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRIPT ----------------+ -# | | # | V # V cupsomatic # pstoraster (constructs complicated # | (= "postscipt interpreter") Ghostscript commandline # | to let the file be # V processed by a -# APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER "-sDEVICE=<replaceable>s.th.</replaceable>" +# APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER "-sDEVICE=s.th." # | call...) -# | | # V | -# rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> V +# rastertosomething V # | (= "raster driver") +-------------------------+ # | | Ghostscript at work.... | # V | | # SOMETHING-DEVICE-SPECIFIC *-------------------------+ # | | -# | | # V | -# backend >------------------------------------+ -# | +# backend <------------------------------------+ # | # V # THE PRINTER # # # Note, that cupsomatic "kidnaps" the printfile after the -# "APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRPT" stage and deviates it through +# "APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRPT" stage and deviates it gh # the CUPS-external, systemwide Ghostscript installation, bypassing the -# "pstoraster" filter (therefor also bypassing the CUPS-raster-drivers -# "rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable>", and hands the rasterized file directly to the CUPS +# "pstoraster" filter (therefore also bypassing the CUPS-raster-drivers +# "rastertosomething", and hands the rasterized file directly to the CUPS # backend... # # cupsomatic is not made by the CUPS developers. It is an independent @@ -801,140 +5197,118 @@ The following diagrams reveal how CUPS handles print jobs. # Linuxprinting.org. (see also http://www.cups.org/cups-help.html) # # NOTE: Gimp-Print and some other 3rd-Party-Filters (like TurboPrint) to -# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> is noted. +# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rastertosomething is noted. # ######################################################################### -</programlisting> +</screen> -<programlisting> +<screen> ######################################################################### # # And this is how it works for ESP PrintPro from 4.3: # =================================================== # -# <replaceable>SOMETHNG</replaceable>-FILEFORMAT -# | +# SOMETHNG-FILEFORMAT # | # V -# <replaceable>something</replaceable>tops -# | +# somethingtops # | # V # APPLICATION/POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # pstops # | -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # gsrip # | (= "postscipt interpreter") -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER # | -# | # V -# rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> (f.e. Gimp-Print filters may be plugged in here) +# rastertosomething (e.g. Gimp-Print filters may be plugged in here) # | (= "raster driver") -# | # V # SOMETHING-DEVICE-SPECIFIC # | -# | # V # backend # # NOTE: Gimp-Print and some other 3rd-Party-Filters (like TurboPrint) to -# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> is noted. +# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rastertosomething is noted. # ######################################################################### -</programlisting> +</screen> -<programlisting> +<screen> ######################################################################### # # This is how "cupsomatic" would come into play with ESP PrintPro: # ================================================================ # # -# <replaceable>SOMETHNG</replaceable>-FILEFORMAT -# | +# SOMETHNG-FILEFORMAT # | # V -# <replaceable>something</replaceable>tops -# | +# somethingtops # | # V # APPLICATION/POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # pstops # | -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRIPT ----------------+ -# | | # | V # V cupsomatic # gsrip (constructs complicated # | (= "postscipt interpreter") Ghostscript commandline # | to let the file be # V processed by a -# APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER "-sDEVICE=<replaceable>s.th.</replaceable>" +# APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER "-sDEVICE=s.th." # | call...) -# | | # V | -# rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> V +# rastertosomething V # | (= "raster driver") +-------------------------+ # | | Ghostscript at work.... | # V | | # SOMETHING-DEVICE-SPECIFIC *-------------------------+ # | | -# | | # V | -# backend >------------------------------------+ -# | +# backend <------------------------------------+ # | # V # THE PRINTER # # NOTE: Gimp-Print and some other 3rd-Party-Filters (like TurboPrint) to -# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> is noted. +# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rastertosomething is noted. # ######################################################################### -</programlisting> +</screen> -<programlisting> +<screen> ######################################################################### # # And this is how it works for CUPS from 1.1.15: # ============================================== # -# <replaceable>SOMETHNG</replaceable>-FILEFORMAT -# | +# SOMETHNG-FILEFORMAT # | # V -# <replaceable>something</replaceable>tops -# | +# somethingtops # | # V # APPLICATION/POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # pstops # | -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRIPT-----+ -# | # +------------------v------------------------------+ # | Ghostscript | # | at work... | @@ -945,18 +5319,14 @@ The following diagrams reveal how CUPS handles print jobs. # | | # +------------------v------------------------------+ # | -# | # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER >-------+ # | -# | # V -# rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> +# rastertosomething # | (= "raster driver") -# | # V # SOMETHING-DEVICE-SPECIFIC # | -# | # V # backend # @@ -967,46 +5337,41 @@ The following diagrams reveal how CUPS handles print jobs. # "gs -h" needs to show up a "cups" device. pstoraster is now a # calling an appropriate "gs -sDEVICE=cups..." commandline to do # the job. It will output "application/vnd.cup-raster", which will -# be finally processed by a CUPS raster driver "rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable>" -# Note the difference to "cupsomatic", which will *not* output +# be finally processed by a CUPS raster driver "rastertosomething" +# Note the difference to "cupsomatic", which will <emphasis>not</emphasis> output # CUPS-raster, but a final version of the printfile, ready to be # sent to the printer. cupsomatic also doesn't use the "cups" # devicemode in Ghostscript, but one of the classical devicemodes.... # # NOTE: Gimp-Print and some other 3rd-Party-Filters (like TurboPrint) to -# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> is noted. +# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rastertosomething is noted. # ######################################################################### -</programlisting> +</screen> -<programlisting> +<screen> ######################################################################### # # And this is how it works for CUPS from 1.1.15, with cupsomatic included: # ======================================================================== # -# <replaceable>SOMETHNG</replaceable>-FILEFORMAT -# | +# SOMETHNG-FILEFORMAT # | # V -# <replaceable>something</replaceable>tops -# | +# somethingtops # | # V # APPLICATION/POSTSCRIPT # | -# | # V # pstops # | -# | # V # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-POSTSCRIPT-----+ -# | # +------------------v------------------------------+ # | Ghostscript . Ghostscript at work.... | # | at work... . (with "-sDEVICE= | -# | (with . <replaceable>s.th.</replaceable>" | +# | (with . s.th." | # | "-sDEVICE=cups") . | # | . | # | (CUPS standard) . (cupsomatic) | @@ -1015,779 +5380,376 @@ The following diagrams reveal how CUPS handles print jobs. # | . | # +------------------v--------------v---------------+ # | | -# | | # APPLICATION/VND.CUPS-RASTER >-------+ | # | | -# | | # V | -# rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> | +# rastertosomething | # | (= "raster driver") | -# | | # V | # SOMETHING-DEVICE-SPECIFIC >------------------------+ # | -# | # V # backend # # # NOTE: Gimp-Print and some other 3rd-Party-Filters (like TurboPrint) to -# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rasterto<replaceable>something</replaceable> is noted. +# CUPS and ESP PrintPro plug-in where rastertosomething is noted. # ########################################################################## -</programlisting> - -</sect1> - - -<sect1> -<title>CUPS Print Drivers and Devices</title> - -<para> -CUPS ships with good support for HP LaserJet type printers. You can install -the driver as follows: - -<itemizedlist> - <listitem><para> - lpadmin -p laserjet4plus -v parallel:/dev/lp0 -E -m laserjet.ppd - </para></listitem> -</itemizedlist> - -(The "-m" switch will retrieve the "laserjet.ppd" from the standard repository -for not-yet-installed-PPDs, which CUPS typically stores in -<filename>/usr/share/cups/model</filename>. Alternatively, you may use -"-P /absolute/filesystem/path/to/where/there/is/PPD/your.ppd"). -</para> +</screen> +</sect2> <sect2> -<title>Further printing steps</title> - -<para> -Always also consult the database on linuxprinting.org for all recommendations -about which driver is best used for each printer: -</para> - -<para><ulink url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi">http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi</ulink></para> - -<para> -There select your model and click on "Show". You'll arrive at a page listing -all drivers working with your model. There will always be *one* -<emphasis>recommended</emphasis> one. Try this one first. In your case -("HP LaserJet 4 Plus"), you'll arrive here: -</para> - -<para><ulink url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=75104">http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=75104</ulink></para> - -<para> -The recommended driver is "ljet4". It has a link to the page for the ljet4 -driver too: -</para> - -<para><ulink url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=ljet4">http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_driver.cgi?driver=ljet4</ulink></para> +<title>Trouble Shooting Guidelines to fix typical Samba printing +Problems</title> <para> -On the driver's page, you'll find important and detailed info about how to use -that driver within the various available spoolers. You can generate a PPD for -CUPS. The PPD contains all the info about how to use your model and the driver; -this is, once installed, working transparently for the user -- you'll only -need to choose resolution, paper size etc. from the web-based menu or from -the print dialog GUI or from the commandline... +This is a short description of how to debug printing problems +with Samba. This describes how to debug problems with printing from +a SMB client to a Samba server, not the other way around. </para> -<para> -On the driver's page, choose to use the "PPD-O-Matic" online PPD generator -program. Select your model and click "Generate PPD file". When you safe the -appearing ASCII text file, don't use "cut'n'past" (as it could possiblly corrupt -line endings and tabs), but use "Save as..." in your browser's menu. Save it -at "/some/path/on/your/filesystem/somewhere/my-name-for-my-printer.ppd" -</para> - -<para> -Then install the printer: -</para> -<para><programlisting> - "lpadmin -p laserjet4plus -v parallel:/dev/lp0 -E \ - -P /some/path/on/your/filesystem/somewhere/my-name-for-my-printer.ppd" -</programlisting></para> - -<para> -Note, that for all the "Foomatic-PPDs" from Linuxprinting.org, you also need -a special "CUPS filter" named "cupsomatic". Get the latest version of -"cupsomatic" from: -</para> - -<para><ulink url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/cupsomatic">http://www.linuxprinting.org/cupsomatic</ulink></para> - -<para> -This needs to be copied to <filename>/usr/lib/cups/filter/cupsomatic</filename> -and be made world executable. This filter is needed to read and act upon the -specially encoded Foomatic comments, embedded in the printfile, which in turn -are used to construct (transparently for you, the user) the complicated -ghostscript command line needed for your printer/driver combo. +<variablelist> +<varlistentry><term>Win9x client can't install driver</term> +<listitem><para>For Win9x clients require the printer names to be 8 +chars (or "8 plus 3 chars suffix") max; otherwise the driver files +won't get transferred when you want to download them from +Samba.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>testparm</term> +<listitem><para>Run <command>testparm</command>: It will tell you if +<filename>smb.conf</filename> parameters are in the wrong +section. Many people have had the "printer admin" parameter in the +<parameter>[printers]</parameter> section and experienced +problems. "testparm" will tell you if it sees +this.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>"cupsaddsmb" keeps asking for a root password in a +neverending loop</term> +<listitem><para>Have you <parameter>security = user</parameter>? Have +you used <command>smbpasswd</command> to give root a Samba account? +You can do 2 things: open another terminal and execute +<command>smbpasswd -a root</command> to create the account, and +continue with entering the password into the first terminal. Or break +out of the loop by hitting ENTER twice (without trying to type a +password).</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>"cupsaddsmb" gives "No PPD file for printer..." +message (but I swear there is one!)</term> + +<listitem> +<itemizedlist> +<listitem><para>Have you enabled printer sharing on CUPS? This means: +do you have a <parameter><Location +/printers>....</Location></parameter> section in CUPS +server's <filename>cupsd.conf</filename> which doesn't deny access to +the host you run "cupsaddsmb" from? It <emphasis>could</emphasis> be +an issue if you use cupsaddsmb remotely, or if you use it with a +<parameter>-h</parameter> parameter: <command>cupsaddsmb -H +sambaserver -h cupsserver -v printername</command>. +</para></listitem> +<listitem><para>Is your +"TempDir" directive in +<emphasis>cupsd.conf</emphasis> +set to a valid value and is it writeable? +</para></listitem></itemizedlist> +</listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>I can't connect client to Samba printer.</term> +<listitem><para>Use <command>smbstatus</command> to check which user +you are from Samba's point of view. Do you have the privileges to +write into the <parameter>[print$]</parameter> +share?</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>I can't reconnect to Samba under a new account +from Win2K/XP</term> +<listitem><para>Once you are connected as the "wrong" user (for +example as "nobody", which often occurs if you have <parameter>map to +guest = bad user</parameter>), Windows Explorer will not accept an +attempt to connect again as a different user. There won't be any byte +transfered on the wire to Samba, but still you'll see a stupid error +message which makes you think that Samba has denied access. Use +<command>smbstatus</command> to check for active connections. Kill the +PIDs. You still can't re-connect and get the dreaded +<computeroutput>You can't connect with a second account from the same +machine</computeroutput> message, as soon as you are trying? And you +don't see any single byte arriving at Samba (see logs; use "ethereal") +indicating a renewed connection attempt? Shut all Explorer Windows. +This makes Windows forget what it has cached in its memory as +established connections. Then re-connect as the right user. Best +method is to use a DOS terminal window and <emphasis>first</emphasis> +do <command>net use z: \\SAMBAHOST\print$ /user:root</command>. Check +with <command>smbstatus</command> that you are connected under a +different account. Now open the "Printers" folder (on the Samba server +in the <emphasis>Network Neighbourhood</emphasis>), right-click the +printer in question and select +<emphasis>Connect...</emphasis></para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Avoid being connected to the Samba server as the +"wrong" user</term> +<listitem><para>You see per <command>smbstatus</command> that you are +connected as user "nobody"; while you wanted to be "root" or +"printeradmin"? This is probably due to <parameter>map to guest = bad +user</parameter>, which silently connects you under the guest account, +when you gave (maybe by accident) an incorrect username. Remove +<parameter>map to guest</parameter>, if you want to prevent +this.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Upgrading to CUPS drivers from Adobe drivers on +NT/2K/XP clients gives problems</term> +<listitem><para>First delete all "old" Adobe-using printers. Then +delete all "old" Adobe drivers. (On Win2K/XP, right-click in +background of "Printers" folder, select "Server Properties...", select +tab "Drivers" and delete here).</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>I can't use "cupsaddsmb"on a Samba server which is +a PDC</term> +<listitem><para>Do you use the "naked" root user name? Try to do it +this way: <emphasis>cupsaddsmb -U DOMAINNAME\\root -v +printername</emphasis> (note the two backslashes: the first one is +required to "escape" the second one).</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>I deleted a printer on Win2K; but I still see +its driver</term> +<listitem><para>Deleting a printer on the client won't delete the +driver too (to verify, right-click on the white background of the +"Printers" folder, select "Server Properties" and click on the +"Drivers" tab). These same old drivers will be re-used when you try to +install a printer with the same name. If you want to update to a new +driver, delete the old ones first. Deletion is only possible if no +other printer uses the same driver.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Win2K/XP "Local Security +Policies"</term> +<listitem><para><emphasis>Local Security Policies</emphasis> may not +allow the installation of unsigned drivers. "Local Security Policies" +may not allow the installation of printer drivers at +all.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>WinXP clients: "Administrator can not install +printers for all local users"</term> +<listitem><para>Windows XP handles SMB printers on a "per-user" basis. +This means every user needs to install the printer himself. To have a +printer available for everybody, you might want to use the built-in +IPP client capabilities of WinXP. Add a printer with the print path of +<emphasis>http://cupsserver:631/printers/printername</emphasis>. +Still looking into this one: maybe a "logon script" could +automatically install printers for all +users.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>"Print Change Notify" functions on +NT-clients</term> +<listitem><para>For "print change notify" functions on NT++ clients, +these need to run the "Server" service first (re-named to +<emphasis>File & Print Sharing for MS Networks</emphasis> in +XP).</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>WinXP-SP1</term> +<listitem><para>WinXP-SP1 introduced a <emphasis>Point and Print +Restriction Policy</emphasis> (this restriction doesn't apply to +"Administrator" or "Power User" groups of users). In Group Policy +Object Editor: go to <emphasis>User Configuration --> +Administrative Templates --> Control Panel --> +Printers</emphasis>. The policy is automatically set to +<emphasis>Enabled</emphasis> and the <emphasis>Users can only Point +and Print to machines in their Forest</emphasis> . You probably need +to change it to <emphasis>Disabled</emphasis> or <emphasis>Users can +only Point and Print to these servers</emphasis> in order to make +driver downloads from Samba possible.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>I can't set and save default print options for all +users on Win2K/XP</term> + +<listitem><para>How are you doing it? I bet the wrong way (it is not +very easy to find out, though). There are 3 different ways to bring +you to a dialog that <emphasis>seems</emphasis> to set everything. All +three dialogs <emphasis>look</emphasis> the same. Only one of them +<emphasis>does</emphasis> what you intend. You need to be +Administrator or Print Administrator to do this for all users. Here +is how I do in on XP: </para> -<para> -You can have a look at all the options for the Ghostscript commandline supported -by your printer and the ljet4 driver by going to the section "Execution details", -selecting your model (Laserjet 4 Plus) and clicking on "Show execution details". -This will bring up this web page: -</para> +<orderedlist numeration="upperalpha"> -<para><ulink url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/execution.cgi?driver=ljet4;printer=75104;.submit=Show+execution+details">http://www.linuxprinting.org/execution.cgi?driver=ljet4;printer=75104;.submit=Show+execution+details</ulink></para> +<listitem><para>The first "wrong" way: -<para> -The ingenious thing is that the database is kept current. If there -is a bug fix and an improvement somewhere in the database, you will -always get the most current and stable and feature-rich driver by following -the steps described above. -</para> +<orderedlist numeration="arabic"> +<listitem><para>Open the <emphasis>Printers</emphasis> +folder.</para></listitem> -<note><para> -Till Kamppeter from MandrakeSoft is doing an excellent job here that too few -people are aware of. (So if you use it often, please send him a note showing -your appreciation).</para></note> +<listitem><para>Right-click on the printer +(<emphasis>remoteprinter on cupshost</emphasis>) and +select in context menu <emphasis>Printing +Preferences...</emphasis></para></listitem> -<para> -The latest and greatest improvement now is support for "custom page sizes" -for all those printers which support it. +<listitem><para>Look at this dialog closely and remember what it looks +like.</para></listitem> +</orderedlist> </para> +</listitem> -<para> -"cupsomatic" is documented here: -</para> +<listitem><para>The second "wrong" way: -<para><ulink url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/cups-doc.html">http://www.linuxprinting.org/cups-doc.html</ulink></para> +<orderedlist numeration="arabic"> +<listitem><para>Open the <emphasis>Printers</emphasis> +folder.</para></listitem> -<para> -More printing tutorial info may be found here: -</para> +<listitem><para>Right-click on the printer (<emphasis>remoteprinter on +cupshost</emphasis>) and select in the context menu +<emphasis>Properties</emphasis></para></listitem> -<para><ulink url="http://www.linuxprinting.org/kpfeifle/LinuxKongress2002/Tutorial/">http://www.linuxprinting.org/kpfeifle/LinuxKongress2002/Tutorial/</ulink></para> +<listitem><para>Click on the <emphasis>General</emphasis> +tab</para></listitem> -<para> -Note, that *all* the Foomatic drivers listed on Linuxprinting.org (now -approaching the "all-time high" number of 1.000 for the supported models) -are using a special filtering chain involving Ghostscript, as described -in this document. -</para> +<listitem><para>Click on the button <emphasis>Printing +Preferences...</emphasis></para></listitem> -<para> -Summary - You need: +<listitem><para>A new dialog opens. Keep this dialog open and go back +to the parent dialog.</para></listitem> +</orderedlist> </para> +</listitem> -<para> -<simplelist> - <member>A "foomatic+<replaceable>something</replaceable>" PPD is not enough to print with CUPS (but it is *one* important component)</member> - <member>The "cupsomatic" filter script (Perl) in <filename>/usr/lib/cups/filters/</filename></member> - <member>Perl to make cupsomatic run</member> - <member>Ghostscript (because it is called and controlled by the PPD/cupsomatic combo in a way to fit your printermodel/driver combo.</member> - <member>Ghostscript *must*, depending on the driver/model, contain support for a certain "device" (as shown by "gs -h")</member> -</simplelist> -</para> +<listitem><para>The third, the "correct" way: (should you do +this from the beginning, just carry out steps 1. and 2. from second +"way" above) -<para> -In the case of the "hpijs" driver, you need a Ghostscript version, which -has "ijs" amongst its supported devices in "gs -h". In the case of -"hpijs+foomatic", a valid ghostscript commandline would be reading like this: -</para> +<orderedlist numeration="arabic"> +<listitem><para>Click on the <emphasis>Advanced</emphasis> +tab. (Hmmm... if everything is "Grayed Out", then you are not logged +in as a user with enough privileges).</para></listitem> -<para><programlisting> - gs -q -dBATCH -dPARANOIDSAFER -dQUIET -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=ijs \ - -sIjsServer=hpijs<replaceable>PageSize</replaceable> -dDuplex=<replaceable>Duplex</replaceable> <replaceable>Model</replaceable> \ - -r<replaceable>Resolution</replaceable>,PS:MediaPosition=<replaceable>InputSlot</replaceable> -dIjsUseOutputFD \ - -sOutputFile=- - -</programlisting></para> +<listitem><para>Click on the <emphasis>Printing +Defaults...</emphasis> button.</para></listitem> -<note><para> -Note, that with CUPS and the "hpijs+foomatic" PPD (plus Perl and cupsomatic) -you don't need to remember this. You can choose the available print options -thru a GUI print command (like "glp" from ESP's commercially supported -PrintPro software, or KDE's "kprinter", or GNOME's "gtklp" or the independent -"xpp") or the CUPS web interface via human-readable drop-down selection -menus. -</para></note> +<listitem><para>On any of the two new tabs, click on the +<emphasis>Advanced...</emphasis> +button.</para></listitem> -<para> -If you use "ESP Ghostscript" (also under the GPL, provided by Easy Software -Products, the makers of CUPS, downloadable from -<ulink url="http://www.cups.org/software.html">http://www.cups.org/software.html</ulink>, -co-maintained by the developers of linuxprinting.org), you are guaranteed to -have in use the most uptodate, bug-fixed, enhanced and stable version of a Free -Ghostscript. It contains support for ~300 devices, whereas plain vanilla -GNU Ghostscript 7.05 only has ~200. +<listitem><para>A new dialog opens. Compare this one to the other, +identical looking one from "B.5" or A.3".</para></listitem> +</orderedlist> </para> +</listitem> +</orderedlist> <para> -If you print only one CUPS test page, from the web interface and when you try to -print a windows test page, it acts like the job was never sent: - -<simplelist> - <member>Can you print "standard" jobs from the CUPS machine?</member> - <member>Are the jobs from Windows visible in the Web interface on CUPS (http://localhost:631/)?</member> - <member><emphasis>Most important:</emphasis> What kind of printer driver are you using on the Windows clients?</member> -</simplelist> - -You can try to get a more detailed debugging info by setting "LogLevel debug" in -<filename>/etc/cups/cupsd.conf</filename>, re-start cupsd and investigate <filename>/var/log/cups/error_log</filename> -for the whereabouts of your Windows-originating printjobs: -</para> - -<simplelist> - <member>what does the "auto-typing" line say? which is the "MIME type" CUPS thinks is arriving from the Windows clients?</member> - <member>are there "filter" available for this MIME type?</member> - <member>are there "filter rules" defined in "/etc/cups/mime.convs" for this MIME type?</member> -</simplelist> - +Do you see any difference? I don't either... However, only the last +one, which you arrived at with steps "C.1.-6." will save any settings +permanently and be the defaults for new users. If you want all clients +to get the same defaults, you need to conduct these steps <emphasis>as +Administrator</emphasis> (<parameter>printer admin</parameter> in +<filename>smb.conf</filename>) <emphasis>before</emphasis> a client +downloads the driver (the clients can later set their own +<emphasis>per-user defaults</emphasis> by following the +procedures <emphasis>A.</emphasis> or <emphasis>B.</emphasis> +above).</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>What are the most common blunders in driver +settings on Windows clients?</term> +<listitem><para>Don't use <emphasis>Optimize for +Speed</emphasis>: use <emphasis>Optimize for +Portability</emphasis> instead (Adobe PS Driver) Don't use +<emphasis>Page Independence: No</emphasis>: always +settle with <emphasis>Page Independence: +Yes</emphasis> (Microsoft PS Driver and CUPS PS Driver for +WinNT/2K/XP) If there are problems with fonts: use +<emphasis>Download as Softfont into +printer</emphasis> (Adobe PS Driver). For +<emphasis>TrueType Download Options</emphasis> +choose <emphasis>Outline</emphasis>. Use PostScript +Level 2, if you are having trouble with a non-PS printer, and if +there is a choice.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>I can't make <command>cupsaddsmb</command> work +with newly installed printer</term> +<listitem><para>Symptom: the last command of +<command>cupsaddsmb</command> doesn't complete successfully: +<command>cmd = setdriver printername printername</command> result was +NT_STATUS_UNSUCCESSFUL then possibly the printer was not yet +"recognized" by Samba. Did it show up in <emphasis>Network +Neighbourhood</emphasis>? Did it show up in <command>rpcclient +hostname -c 'enumprinters'</command>? Restart smbd (or send a +<command>kill -HUP</command> to all processes listed by +<command>smbstatus</command> and try +again.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>My permissions on +<filename>/var/spool/samba/</filename> get reset after each +reboot</term> +<listitem><para>Have you by accident set the CUPS spool directory to +the same location? (<parameter>RequestRoot +/var/spool/samba/</parameter> in <filename>cupsd.conf</filename> or +the other way round: <filename>/var/spool/cups/</filename> is set as +<parameter>path</parameter> in the <parameter>[printers]</parameter> +section). These <emphasis>must</emphasis> be different. Set +<parameter>RequestRoot /var/spool/cups/</parameter> in +<filename>cupsd.conf</filename> and <parameter>path = +/var/spool/samba</parameter> in the <parameter>[printers]</parameter> +section of <filename>smb.conf</filename>. Otherwise cupsd will +sanitize permissions to its spool directory with each restart, and +printing will not work reliably.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>My printers work fine: just the printer named "lp" +intermittently swallows jobs and spits out completely different +ones</term> +<listitem><para>It is a very bad idea to name any printer "lp". This +is the traditional Unix name for the default printer. CUPS may be set +up to do an automatic creation of "Implicit Classes". This means, to +group all printers with the same name to a pool of devices, and +loadbalancing the jobs across them in a round-robin fashion. Chances +are high that someone else has an "lp" named printer too. You may +receive his jobs and send your own to his device unwittingly. To have +tight control over the printer names, set <parameter>BrowseShortNames +No</parameter>. It will present any printer as "printername@cupshost" +then, giving you a better control over what may happen in a large +networked environment.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>How do I "watch" my Samba server?</term> +<listitem><para>You can use <command>tail -f +/var/log/samba/log.smbd</command> (you may need a different path) to +see a live scrolling of all log messages. <command>smbcontrol smbd +debuglevel</command> tells you which verbosity goes into the +logs. <command>smbcontrol smbd debug 3</command> sets the verbosity to +a quite high level (you can choose from 0 to 10 or 100). This works +"on the fly", without the need to restart the smbd daemon. Don't use +more than 3 initially; or you'll drown in an ocean of +messages.</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>I can't use Samba from my WinXP Home box, while +access from WinXP Prof works flawlessly</term> +<listitem><para>You have our condolences! WinXP home has been +completely neutered by Microsoft as compared to WinXP Prof: you can +not log into a WinNT domain. It cannot join a Win NT domain as a +member server. While it is possible to access domain resources, users +don't have "single sign-on". They need to supply username and password +each time they connect to a resource. Logon scripts and roaming +profiles are not supported. It can serve file and print shares; but +only in "share-mode security" level. It can not use "user-mode +security" (what Windows 95/98/ME still can +do).</para></listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Where do I find the Adobe PostScript driver files +I need for "cupsaddsmb"?</term> +<listitem><para>Use <command>smbclient</command> to connect to any +Windows box with a shared PostScript printer: <command>smbclient +//windowsbox/print\$ -U guest</command>. You can navigate to the +<filename>W32X86/2</filename> subdir to <command>mget ADOBE*</command> +and other files or to <filename>WIN40/0</filename> to do the same. -- +Another option is to download the <filename>*.exe</filename> packaged +files from the Adobe website.</para></listitem></varlistentry> +</variablelist> </sect2> -</sect1> - - -<sect1> -<title>Limiting the number of pages users can print</title> - -<para> -The feature you want is dependent on the real print subsystem you're using. -Samba's part is always to receive the job files from the clients (filtered -*or* unfiltered) and hand it over to this printing subsystem. -</para> - -<para> -Of course one could "hack" things with one's own scripts. -</para> - -<para> -But there is CUPS (Common Unix Printing System). CUPS supports "quotas". -Quotas can be based on sizes of jobs or on the number of pages or both, -and are spanning any time period you want. -</para> - -<para> -This is an example command how root would set a print quota in CUPS, -assuming an existing printer named "quotaprinter": -</para> - -<programlisting> - lpadmin -p quotaprinter -o job-quota-period=604800 -o job-k-limit=1024 \ - -o job-page-limit=100 -</programlisting> - -<para> -This would limit every single user to print 100 pages or 1024 KB of -data (whichever comes first) within the last 604.800 seconds ( = 1 week). -</para> - -<para> -For CUPS to count correctly, the printfile needs to pass the CUPS "pstops" filter, -otherwise it uses a "dummy" count of "1". Some printfiles don't pass it -(eg: image files) but then those are mostly 1 page jobs anyway. This also means, -proprietary drivers for the target printer running on the client computers and -CUPS/Samba then spooling these files as "raw" (i.e. leaving them untouched, not -filtering them), will be counted as "1-pagers" too! -</para> - -<para> -You need to send PostScript from the clients (i.e. run a PostScript driver there) -for having the chance to get accounting done. If the printer is a non-PostScript model, -you need to let CUPS do the job to convert the file to a print-ready format for the -target printer. This will be working for currently ~1.000 different printer models, see -</para> - -<programlisting> - http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi -</programlisting> - -<para> -Before CUPS-1.1.16 your only option was to use the Adobe PostScript -Driver on the Windows clients. The output of this driver was not always -passed thru the "pstops" filter on the CUPS/Samba side, and therefor was -not counted correctly (the reason is that it often --- depending on the -"PPD" being used --- did write a "PJL"-header in front of the real -PostScript which made CUPS to skip the pstops and go directy to -the "pstoraster" stage). -</para> - -<para> -From CUPS-1.1.16 onward you can use the "CUPS PostScript Driver -for Windows NT/2K/XP clients" (it is tagged in the download area of -http://www.cups.org/ as the "cups-samba-1.1.16.tar.gz" package). -It is *not* working for Win9x/ME clients. But it: -</para> - -<simplelist> - <member>it guarantees to not write an PJL-header</member> - <member>it guarantees to still read and support all PJL-options named in the driver PPD with its own means</member> - <member>it guarantees the file going thru the "pstops" filter on the CUPS/Samba server</member> - <member>it guarantees to page-count correctly the printfile</member> -</simplelist> - -<para> -You can read more about the setup of this combination in the -manpage for "cupsaddsmb" (only present with CUPS installed, only -current with CUPS 1.1.16). -</para> - -<para> -These are the items CUPS logs in the "page_log" for every single *page* of a job: -</para> - -<para><simplelist> -<member>Printer name</member> -<member>User name</member> -<member>Job ID</member> -<member>Time of printing</member> -<member>the page number</member> -<member>the number of copies</member> -<member>a billing info string (optional)</member> -</simplelist> -</para> - -<para> -Here is an extract of my CUPS server's page_log file to illustrate -the format and included items: -</para> - -<para><computeroutput> - infotec_IS2027 kurt 40 [22/Nov/2002:13:18:03 +0100] 1 2 #marketing - infotec_IS2027 kurt 40 [22/Nov/2002:13:18:03 +0100] 2 2 #marketing - infotec_IS2027 kurt 40 [22/Nov/2002:13:18:03 +0100] 3 2 #marketing - infotec_IS2027 kurt 40 [22/Nov/2002:13:18:03 +0100] 4 2 #marketing - infotec_IS2027 kurt 40 [22/Nov/2002:13:18:03 +0100] 5 2 #marketing - infotec_IS2027 kurt 40 [22/Nov/2002:13:18:03 +0100] 6 2 #marketing -</computeroutput></para> - -<para> -This was Job ID "40", printed on "infotec_IS2027" by user "kurt", a 6-page job -printed in 2 copies and billed to "#marketing"... -</para> - -<para> -What flaws or shortcomings are there? -</para> - -<simplelist> - <member>the ones named above</member> - - <member> - CUPS really counts the job pages being *processsed in software* - (going thru the "RIP") rather than the physical sheets successfully - leaving the printing device -- if there is a jam while printing - the 5th sheet out of 1000 and the job is aborted by the printer, - the "page count" will still show the figure of 1000 for that job - </member> - - <member> - all quotas are the same for all users (no flexibility to give the - boss a higher quota than the clerk) no support for groups - </member> - - <member> - no means to read out the current balance or "used-up" number of current quota - </member> - - <member> - a user having used up 99 sheets of 100 quota will still be able to send and print a 1.000 sheet job - </member> - - <member> - a user being denied a job because of a filled-up quota doesn't get a meaningful - error message from CUPS other than "client-error-not-possible". - </member> -</simplelist> - -<para> -But this is the best system out there currently. And there are -huge improvements under development: -</para> - -<simplelist> - <member>page counting will go into the "backends" (these talk - directly to the printer and will increase the count in sync with the - actual printing process -- a jam at the 5th sheet will lead to a stop in the counting)</member> - - <member>quotas will be handled more flexibly</member> - - <member>probably there will be support for users to inquire their "accounts" in advance</member> - - <member>probably there will be support for some other tools around this topic</member> -</simplelist> - -<para> -Other than the current stage of the CUPS development, I don't -know any other ready-to-use tool which you could consider. -</para> - -<para> -You can download the driver files from -<ulink url="http://www.cups.org/software.html">http://www.cups.org/software.html</ulink>. -It is a separate package from the CUPS base software files, tagged as "CUPS 1.1.16 -Windows NT/2k/XP Printer Driver for SAMBA (tar.gz, 192k)". The filename to -download is "cups-samba-1.1.16.tar.gz". Upon untar-/unzip-ping it will reveal -the files: -</para> - -<para> -<computeroutput> - cups-samba.install - cups-samba.license - cups-samba.readme - cups-samba.remove - cups-samba.ss -</computeroutput> -</para> - -<para> -These have been packaged with the ESP meta packager software "EPM". The -*.install and *.remove files are simple shell script, which untars the -*.ss (which is nothing else than a tar-archive) and puts its contents -into <filename>/usr/share/cups/drivers/</filename>. Its contents are 3 files: -</para> - -<para> -<computeroutput> - cupsdrvr.dll - cupsui.dll - cups.hlp -</computeroutput> -</para> - -<caution><para> -Due to a bug one CUPS release puts the <filename>cups.hlp</filename> -into <filename>/usr/share/drivers/</filename> instead of -<filename>/usr/share/cups/drivers/</filename>. To work around this, copy/move -the file after running the "./cups-samba.install" script manually to the right place: -</para> - - <para> -<userinput> cp /usr/share/drivers/cups.hlp /usr/share/cups/drivers/ -</userinput> - </para></caution> - -<note> -<para> -This new CUPS PostScript driver is currently binary-only, but free -no source code is provided (yet). The reason is this: it has -been developed with the help of the Microsoft Driver Developer Kit (DDK) -and compiled with Microsoft Visual Studio 6. It is not clear to the driver -developers if they are allowed to distribute the whole of the source code -as Free Software. However, they will likely release the "diff" in source -code under the GPL, so anybody with a license of Visual Studio and a DDK -will be able to compile for him/herself. -</para> - -<para> -Once you have run the install script (and possibly manually moved the -"cups.hlp" file to "/usr/share/cups/drivers/"), the driver is ready to be -put into Samba's [print$] share (which often maps to "/etc/samba/drivers/" -and contains a subdir tree with WIN40 and W32X86 branches), by running -"cupsaddsmb" (see also "man cupsaddsmb" for CUPS 1.1.16). [Don't forget to -put root into the smbpasswd file by running "smbpasswd" should you run -this whole procedure for the first time.] Once the driver files are in the -[print$] share, they are ready to be downloaded and installed by the -Win NT/2k/XP clients. -</para></note> - - - <note><para> - Win 9x/ME clients won't work with this driver. For these you'd - still need to use the ADOBE*.* drivers as previously. - </para></note> - - <note><para> - It is not harming if you've still the ADOBE*.* driver files from - previous installations in the "/usr/share/cups/drivers/" directory. - The new cupsaddsmb (from 1.1.16) will automatically use the - "newest" installed driver (which here then is the CUPS drivers). - </para></note> - - <note><para> - Should your Win clients have had the old ADOBE*.* files and the - Adobe PostScript drivers installed, the download and installation - of the new CUPS PostScript driver for Windows NT/2k/XP will fail - at first. - </para> - <para> - It is not enough to "delete" the printer (as the driver files - will still be kept by the clients and re-used if you try to - re-install the printer). To really get rid of the Adobe driver - files on the clients, open the "Printers" folder (possibly via - "Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Printers"), right-click - onto the folder background and select "Server Properties". A - new dialog opens; select the "Drivers" tab; on the list select - the driver you want to delete and click on the "Delete" button. - (This will only work if there is no single printer left which - uses that particular driver -- you need to "delete" all printers - using this driver in the "Printers" folder first.) - </para> - </note> - - <note><para> - Once you have successfully downloaded the CUPS PostScript driver - to a client, you can easily switch all printers to this one - by proceeding as described elsewhere in the "Samba HOWTO - Collection" to change a driver for an existing printer. - </para></note> - -<para> -What are the benefits with the "CUPS PostScript driver for Windows NT/2k/XP" -as compared to the Adobe drivers? -</para> - -<para> -<simplelist> - <member><para> - no hassle with the Adobe EULA - </para></member> - - <member><para> - no hassle with the question "where do I get the ADOBE*.* driver files from?" - </para></member> - - <member><para> - the Adobe drivers (depending on the printer PPD associated with them) - often put a PJL header in front of the core PostScript part of the print - file (thus the file starts with "<replaceable>1B</replaceable>%-12345X" - or "<replaceable>escape</replaceable>%-12345X" - instead of "%!PS"). This leads to the CUPS daemon autotyping the - arriving file as a print-ready file, not requiring a pass thru the - "pstops" filter (to speak more technical, it is not regarded as the - generic MIME type "application/postscript", but as the more special - MIME type "application/cups.vnd-postscript"), which therefore also - leads to the page accounting in "/var/log/cups/page_log" not receiving - the exact mumber of pages; instead the dummy page number of "1" is - logged in a standard setup) - </para></member> - - <member><para> - the Adobe driver has more options to "mis-configure" the PostScript - generated by it (like setting it inadvertedly to "Optimize for Speed", - instead of "Optimize for Portability", which could lead to CUPS being - unable to process it) - </para></member> - - <member><para> - the CUPS PostScript driver output sent by Windows clients to the CUPS - server will be guaranteed to be auto-typed as generic MIME type - "application/postscript", thusly passing thru the CUPS "pstops" filter - and logging the correct number of pages in the page_log for accounting - and quota purposes - </para></member> - - <member><para> - the CUPS PostScript driver supports the sending of additional print - options by the Win NT/2k/XP clients, such as naming the CUPS standard - banner pages (or the custom ones, should they be installed at the time - of driver download), using the CUPS "page-label" option, setting a - job-priority and setting the scheduled time of printing (with the option - to support additional useful IPP job attributes in the future). - </para></member> - - <member><para> - the CUPS PostScript driver supports the inclusion of the new - "*cupsJobTicket" comments at the beginnig of the PostScript file (which - could be used in the future for all sort of beneficial extensions on - the CUPS side, but which will not disturb any other application as those - will regard it as a comment and simply ignore it). - </para></member> - - <member><para> - the CUPS PostScript driver will be the heart of the fully fledged CUPS - IPP client for Windows NT/2k/XP to be released soon (probably alongside - the first Beta release for CUPS 1.2). - </para></member> - -</simplelist> -</para> -</sect1> - -<sect1> -<title>Advanced Postscript Printing from MS Windows</title> - -<para> -Let the Windows Clients use a PostScript driver to deliver poistscript to -the samba print server (just like any Linux or Unix Client would also use -PostScript to send to the server) -</para> - -<para> -Make the Unix printing subsystem to which Samba sends the job convert the -incoming PostScript files to the native print format of the target printers -(would be PCL if you have an HP printer) -</para> - -<para> -Now if you are afraid that this would just mean using a *Generic* PostScript -driver for the clients that has no Simplex/Duplex selection, and no paper tray -choice, but you need them to be able to set up print jobs, with all the bells -and whistles of your printers:- -</para> - -<simplelist> - <member>Not possible with traditional spooling systems</member> - - <member> - But perfectly supported by CUPS (which uses "PPD" files to - describe how to control the print options for PostScript and - non-PostScript devices alike... - </member> -</simplelist> - -<para> -CUPS PPDs are working perfectly on Windows clients who use Adobe PostScript -drivers (or the new CUPS PostScript driver for Windows NT/2K/XP). Clients can use -them to setup the job to their liking and CUPS will use the received job options -to make the (PCL-, ESC/P- or PostScript-) printer behave as required. -</para> - -<para> -If you want to have the additional benefit of page count logging and accounting -then the CUPS PostScript driver is the best choice (better than the Adobe one). -</para> - -<para> -If you want to make the drivers downloadable for the clients then "cupsaddsmb" is -your friend. It will setup the [print$] share on the Samba host to be ready to serve -the clients for a "point and print" driver installation. -</para> - -<warning> -<para>What strings are attached?</para></warning> - -<para> -There are some. But, given the sheer CPU power you can buy nowadays, -these can be overcome easily. The strings: -</para> +<sect2> +<title>An Overview of the CUPS Printing Processes</title> <para> -Well, if the CUPS/Samba side will have to print to many printers serving many users, -you probably will need to set up a second server (which can do automatic load balancing -with the first one, plus a degree of fail-over mechanism). Converting the incoming -PostScript jobs, "interpreting" them for non-PostScript printers, amounts to the work -of a "RIP" (Raster Image Processor) done in software. This requires more CPU and RAM -than for the mere "raw spooling" task your current setup is solving. It all depends -on the avarage and peak printing load the server should be able to handle. +<figure><title>CUPS Printing Overview</title> +<graphic fileref="projdoc/imagefiles/a_small.png"/> +</figure> </para> - +</sect2> </sect1> -<sect1> -<title>Auto-Deletion of CUPS spool files</title> - -<para> -Samba print files pass thru two "spool" directories. One the incoming directory -managed by Samba, (set eg: in the <command>path = /var/spool/samba</command> directive in the [printers] -section of &smb.conf;). Second is the spool directory of your UNIX print subsystem. -For CUPS it is normally "/var/spool/cups/", as set by the cupsd.conf directive -"RequestRoot /var/spool/cups". -</para> - -<para> -I am not sure, which one of your directories keeps the files. From what you say, -it is most likely the Samba part. -</para> - -<para> -For the CUPS part, you may want to consult: -</para> - -<simplelist> -<member>http://localhost:631/sam.html#PreserveJobFiles</member> -<member>http://localhost:631/sam.html#PreserveJobHistory</member> -<member>http://localhost:631/sam.html#MaxJobs</member> -</simplelist> - -<para> -There are the settings described for your CUPS daemon, which could lead to completed -job files not being deleted. -</para> - -<para> -"PreserveJobHistory Yes" -- keeps some details of jobs in -cupsd's mind (well it keeps the "c12345", "c12346" etc. files -in the CUPS spool directory, which do a similar job as the -old-fashioned BSD-LPD control files). This is set to "Yes" -as a default. -</para> - -<para> -"PreserveJobFiles Yes" -- keeps the job files themselves in -cupsd's mind (well it keeps the "d12345", "d12346" etc. files -in the CUPS spool directory...). This is set to "No" as the -CUPS default. -</para> - -<para> -"MaxJobs 500" -- this directive controls the maximum number -of jobs that are kept in memory. Once the number of jobs -reaches the limit, the oldest completed job is automatically -purged from the system to make room for the new one. If all -of the known jobs are still pending or active then the new -job will be rejected. Setting the maximum to 0 disables this -functionality. The default setting is 0. -</para> - -<para> -(There are also additional settings for "MaxJobsPerUser" and -"MaxJobsPerPrinter"...) -</para> - -<para> -For everything to work as announced, you need to have three things: -</para> - -<simplelist> - - <member> - a Samba-&smbd; which is compiled against "libcups" (Check on Linux by running <userinput>ldd `which smbd`</userinput>) - </member> - - <member> - a Samba-&smb.conf; setting of <command>printing = cups</command> - </member> - - <member> - another Samba-&smb.conf; setting of <command>printcap = cups</command> - </member> - -</simplelist> - -<note><para> -Note, that in this case all other manually set printing-related -commands (like "print command", "lpq command", "lprm command", -"lppause command" or "lpresume command") are ignored and they -should normally have no influence what-so-ever on your printing. -</para></note> - -<para> -If you want to do things manually, replace the "printing = cups" -by "printing = bsd". Then your manually set commands may work -(haven't tested this), and a "print command = lp -d %P %s; rm %s" -may do what you need. -</para> - -<para> -You forgot to mention the CUPS version you're using. If you did -set things up as described in the man pages, then the Samba -spool files should be deleted. Otherwise it may be a bug. On -the CUPS side, you can control the behaviour as described -above. -</para> - -<para> -If you have more problems, post the output of these commands: -</para> - -<para> -<userinput> - grep -v ^# /etc/cups/cupsd.conf | grep -v ^$ - grep -v ^# /etc/samba/smb.conf | grep -v ^$ | grep -v "^;" -</userinput> -</para> - -<para> -(adapt paths as needed). These commands sanitize the files -and cut out the empty lines and lines with comments, providing -the "naked settings" in a compact way. -</para> -</sect1> </chapter> |