How can I print on a local printer from the lp command on my droplet?

February 12, 2016 2.1k views
Linux Commands System Tools Getting Started Ubuntu
seabrook2015
By:
seabrook2015

QUESTION:
I’m developing shell programs on my droplet. How can I print them directly to my home printer rather than have to download the files for printing?

ANSWER:
Set up the connection to the droplet with
ssh -R 6311:localhost:631 userid@dropletIPaddress
then print with
print -o5 filename | lpr -H localhost:6311
For this to work you MUST have Apple’s form of cups installed to get the right lp command. So before printing do apt-get install cups-bsd

(After discovering this I couldn’t figure out how to pass it around to the rest of the community so I just made it a question and provide the answer. – Dick S.)

Log In to Comment
2 Answers
AndrewTheTechie MOD February 18, 2016

Hey There seabrook2015,

Wow, that is not one I thought I’d ever see…how to print from a droplet. Awesome job getting it working!

–Andrew

Reply
  • seabrook2015 February 18, 2016

    Thanks. I wish I could take the credit, but I found the solution in a discussion posted elsewhere of remote printing from Linux and implemented it using a droplet. The original poster just signed off with “shareedit” so I have no idea who it was. The ssh technique involved is called “port forwarding”
    Dick S.

rannyjohns November 23, 2018

Thanks, for making such a post here I got the perfect solution for my printer. for this solution, I am worried from a long time and also try to connect with Canon printer offline that keep me update but here I find the technical assistance from you.

Reply
Have another answer? Share your knowledge.

Related Questions