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Setting Up CUPS Network Printer on Ubuntu

Setting up CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) for network printing on Ubuntu involves several steps. Here's a guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Install CUPS

First, ensure that CUPS is installed on your Ubuntu system. You can install it using the terminal. Open a terminal window and type the following command: 

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cups

Step 2: Start and Enable CUPS Service

Once CUPS is installed, start the CUPS service and enable it to start on boot with the following commands: 

sudo systemctl start cups
sudo systemctl enable cups

Step 3: Configure CUPS

To configure CUPS, you need to edit its configuration file. Open the file in a text editor with root privileges: 

sudo nano /etc/cups/cupsd.conf

Make the following changes in the cupsd.conf file:

For example: 

<Location />
  # existing settings...
  Allow @LOCAL
</Location>

<Location /admin>
  # existing settings...
  Allow @LOCAL
</Location>

<Location /admin/conf>
  AuthType Default
  Require user @SYSTEM
  # existing settings...
  Allow @LOCAL
</Location>

Save and close the file.

Step 4: Allow CUPS Through the Firewall

If you have a firewall enabled, allow CUPS through the firewall: 

sudo ufw allow 631

Step 5: Restart CUPS

After making changes to the configuration file, restart the CUPS service to apply the changes: 

sudo systemctl restart cups

Step 6: Access CUPS Web Interface

You can now access the CUPS web interface by going to http://your-server-ip:631 from any computer in your network. Replace your-server-ip with the IP address of the Ubuntu server where CUPS is installed.

Step 7: Add a Printer

To add a network printer:

  1. Go to the CUPS web interface.
  2. Click on “Administration” and then “Add Printer.”
  3. Enter your Ubuntu username and password if prompted.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to add your network printer.

Step 8: Configure Client Computers

On each client computer, you need to install CUPS and configure it to use the CUPS server you set up. Repeat the installation process on each client and point them to your CUPS server.

Make sure the client computers are on the same network as the CUPS server. You may need to adjust their CUPS configuration files ( /etc/cups/client.conf ) to point to your server.

By following these steps, you should be able to set up CUPS for network printing on your Ubuntu system. If you encounter any issues, refer to the CUPS documentation or Ubuntu community forums for further assistance.

Additional Setup for HP Printers

The log information you've provided indicates that the system is having trouble recognizing the HP Smart Tank 520/540 series printer attributes from the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) database. The hpmud (HP Multi-Point Transport Driver) subsystem is not finding the necessary data for this printer model.

Here are the steps to resolve this issue:

  1. Update HPLIP : The version of HPLIP installed on your system may not have the necessary data for your printer model. You should update HPLIP to the latest version available. Open a terminal and run:

bash sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install --reinstall hplip

After updating, you can check the installed version with hp-check -v .

  1. HP Device Manager : Sometimes, using the HP Device Manager ( hp-toolbox ) can help in resolving printer issues. Run hp-setup to configure the printer.

bash hp-setup

  1. Check for Additional Driver Support : Not all printers are supported out of the box by the HPLIP database included with your Linux distribution. You might need to download a plugin or additional drivers from HP.

bash sudo hp-plugin

  1. Manual Driver Installation : If hp-plugin doesn't automatically fix the issue, you might need to manually download the plugin or driver from HP's website.

  2. Permissions : Ensure that your user is part of the lpadmin group which is typically required for printer administration tasks.

bash sudo usermod -a -G lpadmin your_username

Replace your_username with your actual username.

  1. Restart CUPS : After making changes, restart the CUPS service.

bash sudo systemctl restart cups

  1. Check Connectivity : Verify that your printer is connected via USB and is turned on. Sometimes the connection can be intermittent.

  2. Reconnect the Printer : Disconnect and reconnect the printer and see if it's recognized.

  3. Consult Logs : Check /var/log/cups/error_log for more detailed error messages that can help diagnose the issue.

bash less /var/log/cups/error_log

  1. Seeking Further Help : If none of the above resolves the issue, consider seeking help from the Ubuntu community forums, as users there may have encountered similar issues with the same printer model.

By following these steps, you should be able to address the issue of the printer not being recognized by your Ubuntu system.