26.11. Command Line Configuration

If you do not have X installed and you do not want to use the text-based version, you can add a printer via the command line. This method is useful if you want to add a printer from a script or in the %post section of a kickstart installation.

26.11.1. Adding a Local Printer

To add a printer:

system-config-printer-tui --Xadd-local options

Options:

--device=node

(Required) The device node to use. For example, /dev/lp0.

--make=make

(Required) The IEEE 1284 MANUFACTURER string or (if none is available) the printer manufacturer's name as it appears, in the foomatic database.

--model=model

(Required) The IEEE 1284 MODEL string or (if non is available) the printer model listed in the foomatic database.

--name=name

(Optional) The name to be given to the new queue. If one is not given, a name based on the device node (such as "lp0") is used.

--as-default

(Optional) Set this as the default queue.

After adding the printer, use the following command to start/restart the printer daemon:

service cups restart

26.11.2. Removing a Local Printer

A printer queue can also be removed via the command line.

As root, to remove a printer queue:

system-config-printer-tui --Xremove-local options

Options:

--device=node

(Required) The device node used such as /dev/lp0.

--make=make

(Required) The IEEE 1284 MANUFACTURER string, or (if none is available) the printer manufacturer's name as it appears in the foomatic database.

--model=model

(Required) The IEEE 1284 MODEL string, or (if none is available) the printer model as listed in the foomatic database.

After removing the printer from the Printer Configuration Tool configuration, restart the printer daemon for the changes to take effect (as root):

service cups restart

If all printers have been removed, and you do not want to run the printer daemon anymore, execute the following command (as root):

service cups stop

26.11.3. Setting the Default Printer

To set the default printer, use the following command and specify the queuename:

system-config-printer-tui --Xdefault --queue=queuename