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Sat, 18 Sep 2004
Setting up a Linux print server
In a previous article, I talked about setting up a Linux box as a file server for a Mac network. Here's how I set it up to work as a print server.
The easiest way to get it working is to install CUPS, if it isn't already installed. You'll then need to make a few changes to the configuration file for CUPS, normally /etc/cups/cupsd.conf, although the location may be different depending on your Linux distribution.
Make sure the following lines are uncommented, or add them if they aren't present:
Browsing On
BrowseProtocols cups
Add the following line as appropriate for your network IP addresses. In my case, my router assigns IP addresses in the range 192.168.0.* so the broadcast address is 192.168.0.255.
BrowseAddress 192.168.0.255
To allow machines on your local network to locate the printer, add the following line, also using the appropriate address range for your network:
BrowseAllow 192.168.0.*
In several places, you'll see a line 'Allow From 127.0.0.1'. After each of those lines, add the following, also using the appropriate address range for your network:
Allow From 192.168.0.*
After you restart CUPS, any printers attached to your server should show up as shared printers. You should also be able to connect to CUPS on the server with a web browser by going to http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:631/ (using the server's IP address or host name).
If you're using an Epson printer, you can use the command line tool escputil to check the ink level, clean the print head, print a nozzle test, or align the print head. For example, to show the ink level, type:
escputil -i -q -u -r your_printer_device
(on my machine, the printer port is /dev/lp0)