9.1 Synopsis

FreeBSD can be used to print with a wide variety of printers, from the oldest impact printer to the latest laser printers, and everything in between, allowing you to produce high-quality printed output from the applications you run.

FreeBSD can also be configured to act as a print server on a network; in this capacity FreeBSD can receive print jobs from a variety of other computers, including other FreeBSD computers, Windows® and Mac OS® hosts. FreeBSD will ensure that one job at a time is printed, and can keep statistics on which users and machines are doing the most printing, produce “banner” pages showing who's printout is who's, and more.

After reading this chapter, you will know:

• How to configure the FreeBSD print spooler.

• How to install print filters, to handle special print jobs differently, including converting incoming documents to print formats that your printers understand.

• How to enable header, or banner pages on your printout.

• How to print with printers connected to other computers.

• How to print with printers connected directly to the network.

• How to control printer restrictions, including limiting the size of print jobs, and preventing certain users from printing.

• How to keep printer statistics, and account for printer usage.

• How to troubleshoot printing problems.

Before reading this chapter, you should:

• Know how to configure and install a new kernel (Chapter 8).