In order to print to a remote system, you must set up a remote queue on the local system. This process involves tasks such as naming a queue and a queue device on the local host, and indicating the name of the remote host and the queue on the remote host to which print jobs are sent.
You can set up a remote queue with the Web-based System Manager wsm printers fast path. You can also use the smit mkrque command. For more information, see "Adding a Print Queue Device".
Note: The queue on the remote host designated to receive remote print requests must be an active queue.
To start the remote queue, type wsm printers , then select the name of the queue and queue device you configured for remote printing. You can also use smit qstart to perform this task.
The qconfig file contains stanzas that define queue devices. For a remote printer, some of the field values in the device stanza differ from those for a local printer. The following table lists the fields which have particular significance for remote printers. The table also shows sample values or default values for these fields.
| host | sys2 | The name of the remote host (print server) where jobs will be printed. |
| rq | q2 | The name of the remote queue on which jobs will be printed. |
| s_statfilter | /usr/lpd/aixshort | The filter used to translate remote queue status information into a short form for queue status requests such as qchk. This is the default value when the remote print server is another AIX system. |
| /usr/lpd/bsdshort | The filter used to translate BSD lpq command output (short form) when the remote print server is a BSD system. | |
| /usr/lpd/attshort | The filter used to translate ATT lpstat command output (short form) when the remote print server is an ATT system. | |
| /usr/lpd/aixv2short | The filter used to translate the AIX 2.2.1 print -q command output (short form) when the print server is an RT running AIX 2.2.1. | |
| l_statfilter | /usr/lpd/aixlong | The filter used to translate remote queue status information into a long form for queue status requests such as qchk. This is the default value when the remote print server is another AIX system. |
| /usr/lpd/bsdlong | The filter used to translate BSD lpq command output (long form) when the remote print server is a BSD system. | |
| /usr/lpd/attlong | The filter used to translate ATT lpstat command output (long form) when the remote print server is an ATT system. | |
| /usr/lpd/aixv2long | The filter used to translate the AIX 2.2.1 print -q command output (long form) when the print server is an RT running AIX 2.2.1. |
The host to be used as a print server must be configured to accept remote print requests. A host must be listed in the /etc/hosts.lpd file on the print server to have permission to print. To add a print queue host name to the /etc/hosts.lpd file using the Web-based System Manager fast path:
wsm printers
You can also perform this task with the smit mkhostslpd fast path.
A print request sent from a host not defined in the print server's /etc/hosts.lpd file will be rejected. The system displays an error message indicating that the host does not have line printer access.
A host acting as a print server must also have its lpd process running to service print requests. The SRC command lssrc -s lpd shows the status of the lpd daemon. If it is not active, use the wsm printers fast path or the startsrc command to start the lpd daemon.
No special commands are required to print to a remote host. Use any print command that allows you to specify a queue. The lpr, qprt, and enq commands are examples of print commands. Use the appropriate flags and options to tailor the print request, including the flag that specifies the queue. Use the name of the remote queue on your host.
You can also send a remote print request with the smit qprt fast path.
Queue status commands, such as qchk or lpstat, display information for both local and remote print queues. The smit qchk command displays a menu that allows you to choose the type of queue status information you want from both local and remote queues.
To cancel a print job in a remote queue, use the Web-based System Manager fast path (wsm printers), the qcan command, or the lprm command. You can also use the smit qcan fast path.