Setting up a printer on a Debian GNU/Linux PC using CUPS
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3. Install cups

Importantlpr or lprng will be removed.
 

Any existing system will be removed, but your printcap file will be retained. If you decide later to re-install lpr or lprng, should not need to create a new printcap file. If you are concerned, make a backup copy of /etc/printcap.

3.1. Install cupsys and related packages

You need a number of Debian packages to install cups.

Login as a normal user. If you are running an X Session, open a terminal window (eg gnome terminal). Switch user to Root and use apt to install the packages. 

$ su
Password: *******
# apt-get install cupsys cupsys-bsd cupsys-client cupsys-driver-gimpprint cupsys-pstoraster libcupsys2
# exit
$

3.2. Install and configure the foomatic database (optional)

NoteThe foomatic database provides many.ppd printer drivers.
 

The cups package provides drivers for a few generic printers. You may find specific drivers for your printer from the manufacturer's web site or from www.linuxprinting.org/. You can skip this section if you already have a .ppd file for your printer.

Install foomatic and the PostScript filter 'Anything to Postscript' (a2ps). 

$ su
Password: *******
# apt-get install foomatic-bin foomatic-db a2ps

You must choose a filter configuration. Read the details on the ncurses screens. Choose the default settings if you are not sure.

NoteNcurses navigation
 

Use the arrow keys and the <Tab> key to make your selection. Selected items are highlighted in blue. Use the <Enter> key to confirm your selection. 

Debian Configuration
Foomatic Printfilter Configuration                                                             ...                                                                                            <Ok>
Debian Configuration
Foomatic Printfilter Configuration
...
Preserve manual changes when regenerating config files                                         parse
<Ok>

You must select a PostScript filter. Select a2ps. Exit from user Root's account when you have finished. 

Debian Configuration
Foomatic Printfilter Configuration 
...
a2ps
<Ok>
# exit
$

3.3. Install a .ppd file (optional)

NoteInstall a .ppd driver not provided by the foomatic package.
 

You can skip this section if you are not using one of the drivers provided by the foomatic package or one of the generic drivers provided by the cups package itself.

You may have a .ppd file from the manufacturer or from www.linuxprinting.org/. Alternatively (you might be in a hurry!), use one of cups' generic drivers.

Copy the file to /etc/share/cups/model, then stop and start the cups daemon to make cups use it. You must be Root to do this. 

$ su
Password: *******
# cp path-to-filename.ppd /etc/share/cups/model/

# /etc/init.d/cupsys stop 
Stopping CUPSys: cupsd. 
# /etc/init.d/cupsys start
Starting CUPSys: cupsd.
Go back to being a normal user.
# exit
$
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Linux kernel support for printer port Install a printer using cups