Chapter 11. Printer Communication and Protocols

Table of Contents
11.1. Network Printers
11.2. RFC1179 (LPD) Connection
11.3. Socket API
11.4. AppSocket TCP/IP Protocol
11.5. Network Print Server Boxes
11.6. Network Print Server Configuration Information
11.7. HP JetDirect Interface
11.8. Problems With Network Print Servers
11.9. Printing to a SMB (MicroSoft) Printer
11.10. Printing to AppleTalk Printers
11.11. Parallel Port Printers
11.12. Serial Printers

Common communication methods between a printer and a host system are network connections, parallel ports, or serial ports; while Fibre Channel, SCSI, USB, FireWire, InfraRed, and other interesting technologies have been used, they are either very specialized or not directly support by the LPRng software. In this section we will discuss Network, Parallel Port, and Serial Printers, as well as the different protocols and standards that apply to them.

11.1. Network Printers

The most flexible and highest throughput printer interface is via a network (TCP/IP) connection. Most high performance printers have a built in network interface, or you can attach them to a printer server box which provides a network interface. The network interface usually supports multiple network printing protocols. The most common are the LPD (RFC1179), Socket API, AppSocket, SMB, and Novell Netware interfaces. LPRng directly supports the LPD (RFC1179) and Socket API interfaces, and you can use the smbclient program from the Samba Software Package for the SMB interface.