Chapter 8. Printer Configuration
Most computer users either own a printer at home or use one at
work. Printers have become a very popular PC peripheral due to their
increasing quality and decreasing prices. Printer hardware manufacturers
distribute CD-ROMs or diskettes with their printers, as most operating
systems require these CD-ROMs because they contain printer
drivers — software that communicates with
both the printer and the operating system. Red Hat Linux provides drivers for most
printer models, thus the drivers and software on the printer
manufacturer's CD-ROM and diskettes are not needed. With few exceptions,
all you need to do is attach the printer to your Red Hat Linux system, turn on the
printer, and configure it with the useful tools provided by Red Hat Linux.
8.1. The Printer Configuration Tool
Red Hat Linux includes a graphical utility for configuring local and remote
printers without the need to install additional drivers and
applications. The Printer Configuration Tool uses a
step-by-step process that can help you configure a printer faster than
editing configuration files manually. This chapter shows you how to set
up and test a printer directly connected to your Red Hat Linux system. For
remote printer setup and more advanced printer configuration issues,
refer to the chapter called Printer Configuration
in the Red Hat Linux Customization Guide.
