Print Queue Types

This chapter explains local printer configuration only, but a total of five types of print queues can be configured with the Printer Configuration tool:

• Local Printer — A printer attached directly to your computer through a parallel or USB port. In the main printer list (shown in Figure 16-1), the Queue Type for a local printer is set to LOCAL.

• Unix Printer (lpd Spool) — A printer attached to a different Unix system that can be accessed over a TCP/IP network (for example, a printer attached to another Red Hat Linux system on your network). In the main printer list the Queue Type for a remote Unix printer is set to LPD.

• Windows Printer (SMB) — A printer attached to a different system that is sharing a printer over an SMB network (for example, a printer attached to a Microsoft Windows machine). In the main printer list the Queue Type for a remote Windows printer is set to SMB.

• Novell Printer (NCP Queue) — A printer attached to a different system that uses Novell's NetWare network technology. In the main printer list the Queue Type for a remote Novell printer is set to NCP.

• JetDirect Printer — A printer connected directly to the network instead of to a computer. In the main printer list the Queue Type for a JetDirect printer is set to JETDIRECT.

See the Official Red Hat Linux Administrator’s Guide or click on the Printer Configuration Tool Help button for information on configuring printers other than local printers.

Important

If you add a new print queue or modify an existing one, you need to restart the printer daemon (lpd) for the changes to take effect.

Clicking the Apply button saves any changes that you have made and restarts the printer daemon. The changes are not written to the /etc/printcap configuration file until the printer daemon (lpd) is restarted. Alternatively, you can choose File ( Save Changes and then choose File ( Restart lpd to save your changes and then restart the printer daemon.

If a printer appears in the main printer list with the queue type set to INVALID, the printer configuration is missing options that are required for the printer to function properly. To remove this printer from the list, select it from the list and click the Delete button.