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LPRng-HOWTO

Patrick Powell papowell@astart.com

1 Sept 1998 (For LPRng-3.5.3)


The LPRng software is an enhanced, extended, and portable implementation of the Berkeley LPR print spooler functionality. While providing the same interface and meeting RFC1179 requirements, the implementation is completely new and provides support for the following features: lightweight (no databases needed) lpr, lpc, and lprm programs; dynamic redirection of print queues; automatic job holding; highly verbose diagnostics; multiple printers serving a single queue; client programs do not need to run SUID root; greatly enhanced security checks; and a greatly improved permission and authorization mechanism. The source software compiles and runs on a wide variety of UNIX systems, and is compatible with other print spoolers and network printers that use the LPR interface and meet RFC1179 requirements. The package comes with filters for PostScript and HP printers, as well as the usual 'dumb' printers. Note that the PostScript and HP filters do page counting and produce accounting information accounting. In addition, there are a wide variety of other filters that can do page formatting, and produce banner pages. For users that require compatibility with the SVR4 lp and lpstat interface, lpr and lpq will simulate this interface, eliminating the need for another print spooler package. In addition, a publically available PCNFSD server is distributed with LPRng, and interfaces with the PC/DOS/Windows based NFS style print spoolers. For users that require secure and/or authenticated printing support, LPRng supports Kerberos V and/or PGP authentication methods. Additional authentication support is extremely simple to add.

1. Introduction

2. The Most Frequently Asked Questions

3. Installing your printer

4. Installing the programs

5. /etc/printcap Print Spool Database File

6. Filters

7. Spool Queues and Files

8. /etc/lpd.conf Configuration File

9. The /etc/lpd.perms Permissions File

10. Running the software

11. Accounting

12. Authentication and Encryption

13. Status Monitoring and Logging

14. RFC 1179 - Line Printer Daemon Protocol

15. Acknowledgements


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