These instructions outine how to set up printing on systems such as GNU/Linux. Because there are numerous varieties of systems out there, some details might differ slightly, depending on the system, version, etc. in your particular case.
The most common approach is to use the CUPS-based graphical setup. This is supported on most recent versions and distributions that we encounter; however, we also have separate instructions specific to older Ubuntu installations.
Step 0: Install CUPS
You will need the CUPS package installed on your machine before you can make use of these instructions. The specific method for installing packages varies by system; below are the terminal (command-line) commands for some of the most popular/commonly encountered systems:
Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install cups foomatic
Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S cups
If you are using some other system and do not know (and cannot figure out) how to install CUPS, contact us for more help.
Step 1: Start the CUPS Daemon
At the command line, run the following command: sudo cupsd
Step 2: Open the CUPS Portal
On the machine that you are setting up, open your preferred web browser (maybe the one you’re using to read this page right now!) and open the following URL:
This will open the CUPS web portal page. (If it does not, verify that you successfully performed the previous step, and then try again.)
Step 3: Add a Printer
Find the “Administration” section and select “Add a New Printer.” (The specific wording might vary slightly, depending on the version of CUPS on your system; but it should be something similar to this.)
You will be prompted for an access username and password. You need to log in as a user who has priveleges to add a printer; if in doubt, log in as the almighty “root” user. (If you do not know the root user’s password, you will need to get help from the person who administers your machine.)
Choose to add an LPD printer from “Other Network Printers.”
Step 4: Set Server, Queue, and Other Details
For the server name, use: pcgprt1.ph.utexas.edu
For the queue name, you should choose a queue that is appropriate to your location (and possibly your research group). Most printers in the Department (should) have the corresponding queue name written on a label on the printer, so you can probably just check the desired printer to determine its queue name. If you cannot determine the queue name, contact us for help; be sure to have the printer model, room number, etc., so we can figure out which printer you are referring to. For the Grad Lounge printer, with double-sided printing, the queue name is: lw9_326x
Set the connection to: lpd://pcgprt1.ph.utexas.edu/queue_name (Where “queue_name” is replaced by the actual queue name that you selected.)
You may also choose to enter more user-friendly names and location information (for example, room number) here. Use whatever you wish; if you are setting up several printers, this can be especially important, so be sure to use something that will make sense to you later so you don’t end up printing to the wrong printer and then wondering where your documents went!
Step 5: Have Fun With Drivers
If your printer model has drivers included by default, then you’re all set! In case you can’t find the drivers automatically, though, then you’ll have to search for drivers online. You will need to find a PPD file for your printer. (Other files or formats won’t do.) Once you have the appropriate PPD file and are ready to install the drivers, select the appropriate option, choose the PPD file, and click “Add Printer.”
For the Grad Lounge printer, you want drivers for the Dell 2330dn.
Most systems should be able to use the CUPS GUI method, detailed above. However, if you are running on certain older Ubuntu systems, and feel like trying a different approach, here are some different instructions just for you:
Step 0: Getting Started
Go to System → Administration → Printing. If you are using Ubuntu 11.10 (with Unity), click on the “power” icon in the top right corner and then click on “Printers.”
Step 1: Add a Printer
Click on the “Add Printer” option. Select LPD mode, and for the server name, enter: pcgprt1.ph.utexas.edu
For the queue name, select the queue that is specific to the printer that you want to set up. This should normally be written on a label on the printer itself; if you can’t find it, contact us with details about the printer (model, room number, etc.) and we will look it up.
Step 2: Have Fun With Drivers
If your printer model has drivers included by default, then you’re all set! In case you can’t find the drivers automatically, though, then you’ll have to search for drivers online. You will need to find a PPD file for your printer. (Other files or formats won’t do.) Once you have the appropriate PPD file and are ready to install the drivers, select the appropriate option, choose the PPD file, and click “Add Printer.”
For the Grad Lounge printer, you want drivers for the Dell 2330dn.