The Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) (Unix Power Tools, 3rd Edition)

45.18. The Common Unix Printing System (CUPS)

The Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) is a full network-capable printing package available for a wide variety of Unix platforms. From their web page:

CUPS is available at:

http://www.cups.org/

CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX-based operating systems. It has been developed by Easy Software Products to promote a standard printing solution for all UNIX vendors and users. CUPS provides the System V and Berkeley command-line interfaces.

CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for managing print jobs and queues. The Line Printer Daemon ("LPD") Server Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a. JetDirect) protocols are also supported with reduced functionality. CUPS adds network printer browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options to support real-world printing under UNIX.

CUPS is headed towards becoming the Linux standard for printing, and it is an easy way to configure all your printing tools at once regardless of your platform. Visit their web page for extensive information.

-- DJPH