iPrint Manager

The iPrint Manager does the following:

• Spools print jobs from clients
• Sends print jobs to printers
• Maintains printer status information
• Manages the print database
• Maintains the iPrint Printer List page used to install and monitor printers

iPrint Client

The iPrint Client lets Linux workstations install iPrint printers and includes the following components:

• Browser plug-in: The iPrint Client contains a browser plug-in for Mozilla*-based browsers. This plug-in lets you install printers into CUPS using your Web browser.

• Console utility: The Linux iPrint client includes the iprntcmd utility that lets you install printers, print test pages, and upload drivers to a driver store from a console prompt. For more information, see Using iprintcmd.

• CUPS Integrator: The client integrates with the CUPS backend and uses the CUPS local spooler to send print jobs to the Print Manager.

• CASA: CASA (Common Authentication Services Adapter) is a separate package that you install with the iPrint client to cache your username and password for secure printers. If you do not access secure printers, then you do not need CASA.

The following steps are taken when installing a printer and printing to it:

1. Using your Web browser, you access the iPrint Printers List or a custom map, as specified by your administrator.
2. When you click a printer in the list or on a map, the iPrint plug-in creates the printer and installs the associated PostScript* Printer Definition (PPD) file in CUPS. After a printer is installed, you do not need to repeat this process for the same printer.
3. With the iPrint printer installed, you can print from any application as you normally would. The printer appears as printer in your printer list. The application sends the print job to CUPS for processing.
4. CUPS gives the print job to the iPrint backend, which sends it to the iPrint Manager. When the printer is ready, the iPrint Manager sends the job to the printer.