fidn the driver used on a cups print queue

[skt_skt]

Enterprise Linux Enterprise Linux Server release 5.2 (Carthage)

2.6.18-92.1.26.0.1.el5PAE

#lpstat -vSpedEBS01_Refi_1
device for SpedEBS01_Refi_1: socket://200.0.35.73

is there any specific driver used for the print queue.? I am not sure what driver getting used or how it works.

could some one help to clarify this?

[Matti_Kurkela · Accepted solution]

The printer URL is of type "socket:", so this is probably a JetDirect printer or similar. The port number is not mentioned, so the default value of 9100 is used.

CUPS uses PPD files to determine how to use the printer's features: if the printer has PostScript capability, the CUPS alone can do the job and a specific driver is not needed.

If the printer is not PostScript-capable, the CUPS PPD file contains the information about the utilities to use to convert the print job to a format suitable for the printer.

Usually ghostscript (gs) is used as the converter, but some printers that use a proprietary protocol may require a specific converter/driver. These printers are often sold as "windows-only" printers.

The PPD files for installed printers can be found in directory /etc/cups/ppd. The name of the PPD file should match the name of the print queue.

The PPD files are essentially text files, and usually have a block of comments at the beginning. This comment block often includes the printer manufacturer and model name. If this printer has special requirements, hopefully the comments give information about them too...

MK

[skt_skt]

I have a PS capable printer. Does that mean the ppd files under /etc/cups/ppd or the driver is no longer used/applicable.?

[Matti_Kurkela]

No. If your printer supports PostScript, then CUPS gets everything it needs to use the printer from the PPD file.

The PPD is a standard way to describe the technical details of a PostScript printer, like the paper sizes and print densities the printer can support.

CUPS contains an universal PostScript driver, so you don't need a driver for a PostScript printer: you only need the PPD file to tell which features are available in this specific printer model.

The developers of CUPS created extensions to the PPD syntax, so that a PPD file that's been created specifically for CUPS can be used to describe how to use a non-PostScript printer too.

MK

[skt_skt]

we r having HP LJ 4015 and had the driver of 4000 and the next available was driver of 4050. Picked the 4050 driver for the queue using CUPS GUI( and using modify printer).


That helped with the specific printing need of the application.

[Krishna Vallapareddy]

Where can we find a PPD driver for an HP LaserJet p4015tn printer for Linux x86-64 OS? Can someone please help us find the exact or compatible PPD file for the printer?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[skt_skt]

I would say you may pick what is available under /etc/cups/ppd.

To download you may hit the vendor website.
Start from
http://www.hp.com/pond/modelscripts/