Print from Linux

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Printing from department servers (e.g. linuxterm, thinlinc, hms1, ...) does not require any setup. Printers have already been installed.

System wide solution (have root access)

You need root privileges in order to configure this and the change will apply for all users of the computer

sudo cp /etc/profile /etc/profile.orig
sudo echo 'CUPS_SERVER=cups.imm.dtu.dk/version=1.1' >> /etc/profile
sudo echo 'export CUPS_SERVER' >> /etc/profile

(for older linux distributions omit the part /version=1.1)

Reboot the computer. After the computer is rebooted you should now how a list of printers to use. For more information about the printers have look here.

If you get a dialogue box about authorization failed containing fields to enter username and password, DO NOT enter your password as it is not required and it sent unencrypted over the network. Just click "OK" and everything will be fine.

User only solution without root access (commandline)

Here root access is not needed. The change will only take effect for the user logged in.

cp ~/.profile ~/.profile.orig
echo 'CUPS_SERVER=cups.imm.dtu.dk/version=1.1' >> ~/.profile
echo 'export CUPS_SERVER' >> ~/.profile

Log out of the system and log in again. The system can now see all available printers.

If you get a dialogue box about authorization failed containing fields to enter username and password, DO NOT enter your password as it is not required and it sent unencrypted over the network. Just click "OK" and everything will be fine.

Note: This might not work for some graphical applications not started from the command line.

User only solution without root access (GUI)

If you want to be able to easy switch between DTU Compute's print server and e.g. a home printer, then follow this guide.

  • Open a terminal and type system-config-printer and hit Enter.
  • On Ubuntu go to the global menu for the just opened program and click Server and then select Connect....
  • As "Cups server" type: cups.imm.dtu.dk and click Connect.

You should new see a long list of printers. Right click on the one that you want to use, and select Set as default.

Adding a home printer

Is done by opening a terminal and type system-config-printer and hit Enter. From here click Add and follow the instructions.

Ubuntu 12.10

Ubuntu 12.10 ships with cups 1.6 with have a regression bug that doesn't let it print to older cups print servers. For DTU Compute users this means that if you are using Ubuntu 12.10 you have to follow this tutorial before you can print.

First you need to find the printer name, printer manufacturer and printer model of the printer you want to use. As an example the printer name could be bp321029a, the manufacturer could be HP and the model could be LaserJet 4250dtn.

  • Open the Ubuntu Dash menu by clicking on the Ubuntu button in the Unity menu on the left.
  • Type printers and hit Enter.
  • Click Add
  • Select Network printers
  • Select LPD/LPR Host or Printer
  • As Host type: cups.imm.dtu.dk
  • As Queue type the printer name of the printer you want to use.
  • Click Forward.
  • Select the printer manufacturer of the printer you want to use.
  • Click Forward.
  • Select the model.
  • As Drivers select the first which contains the word PostScript.
  • Click Forward.
  • For each of the Optional Tray select 500-Sheet Input tray.
  • Select Duplex Unit if you want print on both sides of the paper.
  • Click Forward.
  • Click Apply.