Linux/UNIX: Sharing A CUPS Printer Queue

Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) is a modular computer printing system for Apple OS X, Linux and UNIX like operating systems. It allows Linux computer to act as a printer server. As a server it accepts printing requests from all client computer and send them to actual printer. It does printing accounting and other important stuff.

CUPS Admin Tools

CUPS comes with the following admin tools:

• GUI admin tools such gnome-cups-manager or KDEPrint or redhat-config-printer
• Text based GUI admin tools redhat-config-printer-tu)
• Web based admin tool (run at port 631 so http://server-ip:631/ or http://localhost:631/ will open CUPS web-admin)
• And command line editing tools (lpadmin)

Just visit the http://localhost:631/ and you can add or share the printer using webbased tools:

Fig.01: UNIX / Linux Cups Printer Sharing

Queue Configuration

You can use above tools to share or setup a printer. The default configuration file is /etc/cups/cupsd.conf. You can edit this file to allow network access:
# vi /etc/cups/cupsd.conf

Modified text:
<Location/>
Order Deny,Allow
Deny From All
Allow From 127.0.0.1
Allow From 192.168.1.*
</Location>


CUPS will accept connection from localhost and network 192.168.1.0/24. Just restart the service and your printer queue is ready to accept connections from clients:
# /etc/init.d/cups restart

Open Iptables 631 port

Make sure you open TCP/UDP Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) 631 on CPUS server system.

See also:

• CUPS Quick Start

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