Printer Configuration with SuSE Linux 8.0

Support knowledgebase (jsmeix_print-einrichten-80)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Version 8.0

Situation:

You want to set up your printer.

New installation of SuSE Linux 8.0

With SuSE Linux 8.0, the printer configuration can either take place automatically or be customized according to individual requirements.

Provided that the following conditions are met, YaST2 will enable the automatic configuration of the printer:

Depending on the printer model, several configurations (queues) will be set up automatically. For example, in the case of an ink jet color printer: Always verify that the configuration works using YaST2's test page. YaST2's test page also supplies detailed information concerning the respective configurations. If something does not work, the print of YaST2's test page can be easily aborted without causing further problems.

Manual Configuration

If one of the above mentioned conditions is not met or if you want to perform individual settings, the configuration must be done more or less manually. For more information, refer to the included documentation, especially the Reference Manual.

Update to SuSE Linux 8.0

YaST2's printer configuration is customized for lprng and lpdfilter. YaST2's printer database is customized for SuSE Linux 8.0 Ghostscript packages.

The packages lprng, lpdfilter, and SuSE Linux 8.0 Ghostscript packages are necessary so YaST2's printer configuration works after an update.

The Spooler

For an update, the spooler is always replaced with LPRng.

Either an older version of lprng will be updated to the 8.0 version or lprold or plp will be replaced by lprng when updating from SuSE Linux 7.2 or an older version.

For network printing the LPRng version of SuSE Linux 8.0 additionally needs the entry
:force_localhost@:
in /etc/printcap for non local queues like YaST2 does it:

   
remote:\
        :lp=queue@print-server.domain:\
        :sd=/var/spool/lpd/remote:\
        :lf=/var/spool/lpd/remote/log:\ 
        :af=/var/spool/lpd/remote/acct:\
        :ar:force_localhost@:\
        :tr=:cl:sh:

The Filter

The package aps must remain installed as it is, so the existing "apsfilter" queues still work after an update.

In this way, all existing "apsfilter" queues with their respective configurations are still available after the update.

Since the package lpdfilter is also installed, there are two printer filter packages available after an update: aps and lpdfilter.
The installation of lpdfilter overwrites /usr/sbin/lprsetup
This was a link to /var/lib/apsfilter/SETUP before the update took place, changing it to a link to /usr/lib/lpdfilter/bin/lprsetup.
Nevertheless, /var/lib/apsfilter/SETUP can still be executed.

New "lpdfilter" queues are normally set up with YaST2. However, they can also be generated with the command line tool /usr/lib/lpdfilter/bin/lprsetup. See the Reference manual for more information.

Ghostscript

The SuSE Linux 8.0 Ghostscript version contains new versions of the Ghostscript drivers "stp" and "hpijs".
All parameters and their values have been totally changed in these new driver versions. For this reason, existing "apsfilter" queues that use the Ghostscript driver stp or hpijs no longer work with the Ghostscript packages included in SuSE Linux 8.0.

The Ghostscript driver stp is used for Epson ink jet printers. The Ghostscript driver hpijs is for HP ink jet printers. The Ghostscript driver stp is often used for Epson ink-jet printers and the Ghostscript driver hpijs is often used for HP ink-jet printers.

It is advisable to delete the existing "apsfilter" queues with YaST2 and to set them up again as "lpdfilter" queues if either the Ghostscript driver stp or the Ghostscript driver hpijs was used for the "apsfilter" queues.

You have been using the printing system CUPS before updating

The package lpdfilter is installed by default when doing an update.
Since lpdfilter requires a BSD/lpd-like "print_daemon" similar to the one provided by lprng but not by cups, the package lprng might be requested when updating.
However, there is a conflict between the packages lprng and cups-client, and therefore lprng must not be installed.

The solution is not to install the package lpdfilter because CUPS does not use lpdfilter as it has its own filter.


See also:
o Installing a Printer
o Installing a Printer from SuSE Linux 6.4 to 7.3
o Printer Configuration with SuSE Linux 8.1
o Printer Configuration from SuSE Linux 8.2
o Purchase of Printers and Compatibility

Keywords: PRINTING, PRINTER, YAST2, INSTALLING, 80, 8.0

Categories: Frequently asked Questions , Documentation , Printer

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SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 17. Mar 2003 by jsmeix (sdb_gen 1.40.0)