ePrint: Using ePrint on Linux Operating Systems

Question

How do I use ePrint on a device with Linux?

Answer

Printing from your own Linux or Unix System

OIT has no installer for Linux/Unix printing and we cannot provide official support for printing from your own workstation; however, it is possible to configure most systems to print to the ePrint system. Use the following settings as a guide for installing ePrint on your own workstation.

To begin, add a new printer on your workstation with the following settings:

• Queue type: choose "LPR/LPD/Networked Unix"
• Server: "ep-ps-cmp3-pap1.oit.duke.edu"
• Server-side queue name: "ePrint-OIT"
• Workstation-side queue name: "ePrint-OIT"
• Printer type: Use "Generic PostScript Printer" (or the closest equivalent)

When you send print jobs from your personal Unix or Linux system, you need to include your Duke NetID as a parameter to the lpr printing command both from the GUI and from the command line. To do so, add the "-U" flag followed by your username.

For example, to print foo.txt from the command line on your Linux system, a user with the NetID of "jbduke" would enter "lpr -P ePrint-OIT -U jbduke foo.txt".

From a GUI/XWindows application, you will need to modify the print command. This is usually changed within the Print dialog box, often under the Properties button for the selected printer. Add "-U" followed by your NetID (as in the "-U jbduke" example) to the print command.

Alternatively, you can use the CUPS administration page. CUPS is the standards-based, open source printing system developed by Apple Inc. for OS X^® and other UNIX^®-like operating systems. Before you begin, make sure the current user is part of the "sys" group. If not, issue the command "usermod -a -G sys [username]" as root to add yourself to the group.

Then using a web browser, visit the page http://localhost:631. This is the default CUPS administration URL. Then select Administration - Add Printer. Select LPD/LPR Host or Printer, and Continue. When prompted for "Connection:", put "lpd://<netid>@ep-ps-cmp3-pap1.oit.duke.edu/ePrint-OIT", where <netid> should be replaced by your NetID. Then select the Generic PostScript Printer/laserjet printer driver and Continue. Keep the default settings and hit Add Printer.

Note: you do not need to issue the -U <netid> option when printing if you put your NetID in the connection URL. Verify that a print job can be submitted by visiting the ePrint online printing center: https://ep-ps-mp3-pap1.win.duke.edu/MyPrintCenter

In order to print from mid-range printers, please use the following settings:

• Queue type: choose "LPR/LPD/Networked Unix"
• Server: "ep-ps-clr2-pap1.win.duke.edu"
• Server-side queue name: [Contact your department technical administrator]
• Workstation-side queue name: [Contact your department technical administrator]
• Printer type: Use "HP LaserJet 4100dtn" (or the closest equivalent)
• Instead of using the NetID, please use use "midrangeNNNN"

  Example: "midrange1234@LPR://ep-ps-clr2-pap1.win.duke.edu/ePrint-MR-French-M550N/"

In order to print from color printers, there are two different entries. Please use the following settings:

ePrint-Color-Library

• Queue type: choose "LPR/LPD/Networked Unix"
• Server: "ep-ps-clr2-pap1.win.duke.edu/ePrint-Color-Library"
• Server-side queue name: "ePrint-Color-Library"
• Workstation-side queue name: "ePrint-Color-Library"
• Printer type: Use "Ricoh Aficio MP C3501" (or the closest equivalent)

ePrint-Color-Campus

• Queue type: choose "LPR/LPD/Networked Unix"
• Server: "ep-ps-clr-pap1.win.duke.edu/ePrint-Color-Campus"
• Server-side queue name: "ePrint-Color-Campus"
• Workstation-side queue name: "ePrint-Color-Campus"
• Printer type: Use "Sharp MX-3100N" (or the closest equivalent)

Need Further Assistance?

Please contact the OIT Service Desk if you need further assistance: http://oit.duke.edu/help/.