The Printer Configurator is a service daemon which provides the following functions:
Periodically searches the existing printer entries stored in LDAP Directory Server
Compares the search result with the master printer record file on each scheduled ldapsearch
Adds the print configuration to client system for each new printer
Deletes the printer from the client system for each removed printer
Updates master printer record file
When ldapclientd is initialized, it will enable the printer configurator sevices at the same time. Once the printer configurator is up, it periodically searches for any existing printer entries in the LDAP Direcotry Server based on a predefined search filters. If there are any printer entries in the LDAP Directory Server, the printer configurator will extract the LP printer configuration from each printer entry.
Then, the printer configurator compares the printer configuration with the current LP printer configuration in the client system. The result of comparison will generate a list of new or removed printers. For a new printer, the printer configurator adds this printer to the LP printer spool of the client which is running the printer configurator. For a removed printer, the printer configurator deletes this printer from the LP printer spool of the client.
With the printer configurator, if a printer administrator attempts to remove or add a printer, all the administrator has to do is to add or delete the printer entry in the LDAP Directory Server. The printer configuration will be updated automatically without manually setting the printers on each client system.
Printer Configurator Architecture |
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Figure 5–1 shows printer configurator architecture. As an example, this figure uses the alternate printer attributes, printerbyname and printer-resource. The printerbyname attribute specifies the local printer name. The printer-resource attribute provides the remote host name and remote printer name.
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