DOCUMENT ID:  1036-02

SYNOPSIS:     Printer Configuration on Solaris 2.x for x86

OS RELEASE:   2.x

PRODCT:       Solaris x86

KEYWORDS:     printer configure PostScript PCL ASCII print


DESCRIPTION:

Printer Configuration on Solaris 2.x for x86.


SOLUTION:

Local Printer Configuration
===========================

Most printers, like PostScript, PCL, or ASCII, etc, are supported under
Solaris 2.1 for x86 by choosing the right 'Printer Type'.  e.g.;

    PostScript language printer: choose 'ps'
    PCL language printer       : choose 'hplaserjet'


Printer interfaces can be set up in two ways; you can invoke the exact
command from the system prompt, or run menu-driven utility called
"admintool" under OpenWindows. 

For manual configuration, refer to Appendix A on page 333 in the "SunOS
5.1 Setting Up users Accounts, Printers and Mail for x86" manual, it has
step by step description of the procedure. 

When you run 'admintool', only minimum printer types are listed to
choose from.  For the unlisted printer type, choose 'other' option and
enter the printer type for your printer. 

All the supported printer types are stored under the name of a compiled
terminal information file in the terminfo database, located in the
/usr/share/lib/terminfo/* directories. 

These are the device names you should be aware of:

  Parallel port 1: /dev/lp1
  Parallel port 2: /dev/lp2
  COM port 1     : /dev/term/a
  COM port 2     : /dev/term/b



Run admintool by invoking "admintool &" under OpenWindows.

  1. Choose 'Printer Manager' -> Edit: 'Add Printer'

Remote Printer Configuration
============================

X86 remote printing works either as a printer server or as a printer
client, and to and from another x86, SunOS 4.1.x or Solaris 2.X Sparc. 

 
=============================================================

Note that, if you want to set up remote printing from SunOS 4.1.x to x86
(meaning 4.1.x is a printer client), you must apply lp jumbo patch
ID#101137-01 on x86; otherwise, printjob will not leave client host with
the following error message: : waiting for  to come up. 

=============================================================

Configuring x86 as a printer server:

Set up local printer as above.  No other configuration is needed to make
it a printer server. 

Configuring x86 as a printer client:



1. Choose 'Printer Manager' -> Edit: 'Add Printer' -> 'Add
   Access to Remote Printer'


Sample Example for Local Printer Configuration & Testing
========================================================

Here is an example to follow to configure HP Laserjet IIII printer under
Solaris 2.1 for x86 on a parallel port.  Included are configurations for
both types of printer languages the HP Laserjet IIII supports - PCL and
PostScript.  You need to set up a separate printer name for each
interface.  (Here, it is assumed the printer name is 'myps' for
PostScript and 'mylj' for PCL)

1. Connect and configure your printer.

2. Make sure your parallel port is configured properly under
   Solaris.

   a. you should have "/dev/lp1" pointing to
      "../devices/XXX/lp@378,0:"
      (or something similar to that, depending on your
      configuration)

   b. check accessibility from DOS applications if possible.

3. Printer interfaces can be set up in two ways; you can
   invoke the exact command from the system prompt, or run
   menu-driven utility called 'admintool'.  I have both
   examples here.
  
   A> Not using menu-driven utility

       a. To set up for PostScript and ASCII files
          # lpadmin -p myps -v/dev/lp1 -T ps -I
            postscript,simple
          # enable myps
          # accept myps

       b. To set up for PCL and ASCII files
          # lpadmin -p mylj -v/dev/lp1 -T hplaserjet -I any
          # enable mylj
          # accept mylj

      Now you are ready for printing.


   B> Using 'admintool'

      a. Start the OpenWindows.
      b. #admintool &
          Choose 'Printer Manager' -> 'Edit' -> 'Add Printer'
          -> 'Add Local Printer'

      c. These are the specific entries you should be aware
         of:

                        For PostScript      For PCL
                        --------------      -------
         Printer Name:  myps                mylj
         Printer Port:  /dev/lp1            /dev/lp1
         Printer Type:  ps                  hplaserjet
         File Contents: Both PostScript     Any
                        and ASCII

         Once you add the printer with the above options, you
         are ready for printing.



Run 'lpstat -t' to make sure your printers are enabled and
ready to accept jobs.


How to test a PostScript interface named 'myps'.

  a. Test ASCII file by typing "#lp -d myps /etc/group"
  b. Test PostScript file by typing "#xwd | xpr -device ps |
     lp -d myps"


How to test a PCL interface named 'mylj'.

  a. Test ASCII file by typing "#lp -d mylj /etc/group"
  b. Test PCL file by typing "#xwd | xpr -device ljet | lp -d
     mylj"


DATE APPROVED: 09/12/95