Enter the following command to send some test data to the printer:
date > /dev/lpn
(where n is the number of the parallel port you are using; for example, the first parallel port on a system is referred to as /dev/lp0)
If the system is working properly, the date information will be printed by the printer. (Note that on some systems the printed page will not be ejected, and it may be necessary to eject the page manually.)
If you receive an error indicating that the device (i.e., /dev/lp0) does not exist, it will be necessary to run
mkdev parallel
to create the device before proceeding. You can also use the following command to see if a parallel communications device is already configured on your system:
hwconfig name=parallel
If this test works, you are ready to configure the printer.
6. Fill in the form by supplying the necessary printer properties. Sample data for a printer named "Sales" might look like this:
Printer name: Sales Comment: Laser printer in Sales department Class Name: Use printer interface: [Existing] Name of interface: dumb Connection: [Direct] Device name: /dev/lp0 Dial-up information: Device: [Hardwired] Require banner: [No]
7. On an SCO Unix 3.2.4.2 system, after you've configured the printer you must configure the queue to accept requests, and it must also be enabled. To tell the printer to accept new print requests, return to the main menu of the sysadmsh, then select Printers Þ Schedule Þ Accept. Enter the name of the printer and hit [Enter].
8. To enable the printer, return to the main menu of the sysadmsh, then select Printers Þ Schedule Þ Enable. Again enter the name of the printer and hit [Enter].
9. You may also want to make this printer the default printer, especially if it's the only printer on the system. You can do this through the sysadmsh utility. From the main menu of the utility, select Printers Þ Configure Þ Default. Enter the name of the printer and hit [Enter].
10. Next, you should exit the sysadmsh utility, and change the ownership and permissions of the device file you will be printing to. Change the ownership and permissions as follows:
chmod 644 /dev/lp0
chown lp /dev/lp0
chgrp lp /dev/lp0
11. At this point the printer queue has been fully configured. Next, test the configuration by printing a sample file to the printer with the lp command:
lp -dSales /etc/passwd
You should also look at the printer with the lpstat command to make sure that it is configured properly. The following two lpstat commands will provide the information you need:
$ lpstat -t scheduler is running system default destination: Sales device for Sales: /dev/lp0 Sales accepting requests since Wed Apr 15 21:01:36 1998 printer Sales is idle. enabled since Sat Apr 18 15:40:06 1998. available.
$ lpstat -pSales -l
printer Sales is idle. enabled since Sun Apr 19 13:07:38 1998. available.
Form mounted:
Content types: simple
Printer type: unknown
Description:
Connection: direct
Interface: /usr/spool/lp/model/dumb
On fault: mail to root once
After fault: continue
Users allowed:
(all)
Forms allowed:
(none)
Banner not required
Number of banners printed: 0
Character sets:
(none)
Default pitch:
Default page size:
Default port settings: 9600 cs8 -parenb