Specifications

2-3
Printing Administration
Initial printer configuration
You can use one process to configure a printer and another process to add a print queue.
The task you use depends on how your printer is attached to the system. You can also
configure a printer without adding a print queue. The following describes how to do these
tasks:
• Changing the configuration file on page 2-3
• Adding a virtual printer and print queue on page 2-3
• Viewing print queues and associated virtual printers on page 2-4
• Configuring a local printer and adding a queue on page 2-4
• Configuring a remote printer and adding a queue on page 2-5
• Configuring a network printer and adding a queue on page 2-5
• Configuring a print queue for a file in the /dev directory on page 2-6
• Configuring a printer port on page 2-6
• Configuring a printer without adding a queue on page 2-7
Changing the configuration file
Both the enq command and qdaemon command read the /etc/qconfig file when they start.
The qdaemon command starts when you start the system; the enq command starts each
time someone requests a print job. Therefore, if you change the /etc/qconfig file, the enq
command reads the new version of the configuration file the next time it runs.
Do not edit the /etc/qconfig file while there are active jobs in any queue. Editing includes
both manual editing and use of the mkque, rmque, chque, mkquedev, rmquedev, or
chquedev commands. It is recommended that all changes to the /etc/qconfig file be made
using these commands. However, if manual editing is desired, first issue the enq –G
command to bring the queuing system and the qdaemon command down after all jobs are
present. Then edit the /etc/qconfig file and restart the qdaemon command with the new
configuration.
Adding a virtual printer and print queue
A virtual printer is associated with a print queue. You can define a print queue for each data
stream the printer supports. Multiple print queues can use the same real printer.
To add print queues, use Web–based System Manager (enter wsm, and then select Printers
), the SMIT Add a Print Queue option, or the mkque, mkquedev, and mkvirprt
commands.
When you submit a print job, a print queue must be directly or indirectly specified. To specify
a specific printer for a print job, add a colon and the printer device name to the print queue
name. If a printer is not specified for the print job, the spooler selects the first available
printer associated with the print queue. If there are several printers associated with a print
queue, any printer is used.
IBM Proprinters, for example, need only one print queue to be defined for each real printer.
This is because Proprinters support only one data stream: IBM extended ASCII. The IBM
4216 Model 031 Personal Pageprinter needs multiple print queues defined. A print queue
can be defined for each data stream the printer supports. A print queue can be defined for
PostScript, Proprinter, HP LaserJet, and Diablo 630 emulations. All four print queues output
to the same real printer, the 4216 Model 031.