Large cups systems?

[Bernd Krumböck]

> Hello Bernd,
>
> your Installation is very interesting.
>
> Where did you get your CUPS-Server?

We build our own RPM packages. This makes it easier to support and resolve bugs in a large environment.

> You build it by yourself?

Yes.

> Did you get maintenance from Novell

No.

> Which driver are you using for your dot matrix, thermal, label,
> line-at-a-time.

Most of them use simple interface scripts with some control characters.

For some label printers, we use real drivers:
http://etc.nkadesign.com/Printers/QL550LabelPrinter

> By the way, what is a line-at-a-time printer (Zeilendrucker?).

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words:
http://de.tallygenicom.com/products/product_tech.cfm?Technology=Line

> I only use my 20 CUPS/Samba Server to do windowsprinting and pdf-generating.
>
> Did we need a small database for large cups installation examples or some
> special howtos to implement them?

We use a database: It is not necessary, but helpful if you want for example to add an option to all HP LaserJet printers.

Also it helps us to log and distribute the changes to all CUPS servers.

A very simple way:
*) Use a SQL script to spool out all changes
*) Write a shell script to use lpadmin for applying the changes

-------------------------

You need no special howtos. But you should know/understand some cups basics:
*) Implicit classes (failover, load balance)
*) Browsing
*) Log and configuration file(s)
*) Know how a job is processed and sent to the printer
*) File and execute permissions (spool, filter, backend)

Optional following knowledge may be useful:
*) Shell scripting
*) Basics in Ansi-C programming language
*) Basic debugging technics (gdb, ...)


regards!
Bernd