Files in the /etc directory

Here, you will find the details on the various /etc files that we altered in order to implement our 'print-to-email' lpd support. They were:

  • /etc/hosts
  • /etc/hosts.lpd
  • /etc/printcap

    /etc/hosts

    An entry was added to /etc/hosts to provide the Windows NT-based VPS protocol converter with an IP-to-hostname mapping. The Windows NT system obtains a long-term DHCP lease on it's IP address, but (because of our LAN configuration) does not have a DNS-based hostname.

    #
    # hosts	This file describes a number of hostname-to-address
    #		mappings for the TCP/IP subsystem.  It is mostly
    #		used at boot time, when no name servers are running.
    #		On small systems, this file can be used instead of a
    #		"named" name server.  Just add the names, addresses
    #		and any aliases to this file...
    #
    # By the way, Arnt Gulbrandsen <[email protected]> says that 127.0.0.1
    # should NEVER be named with the name of the machine.  It causes problems
    # for some (stupid) programs, irc and reputedly talk. :^)
    #
    # For loopbacking.
    127.0.0.1		localhost
    #
    # Fake hostname for VPS 'protocol converter' hosted on WinNT
    10.100.100.1	vps_on_nt
    #
    # End of hosts.
    




    /etc/hosts.lpd

    An entry was added to /etc/hosts.lpd to permit the Windows NT-based VPS protocol converter access to the print spool hosted by the Linux server. The Slackware lpd is based on the BSD Line Printer Daemon, which apparently requires the /etc/hosts.lpd file to carry hostnames rather than IP addresses.

    #
    # hosts.lpd	This file describes the names of the hosts which are
    #		allowed to use the remote printer services of this
    #		host. This file is used by the LPD subsystem.
    #
    # Version:	@(#)/etc/hosts.lpd	2.00	04/30/93
    #
    # Author:	Fred N. van Kempen, <[email protected]
    #
    #
    # For lpd 'print-to-email': "NT protocol converter" lpd client
    vps_on_nt
    # End of hosts.lpd.
    




    /etc/printcap

    An entry was added to /etc/printcap to define the Linux print spool for the "print-to-email" printer. The entry defines an "input filter" called /var/spool/lpd/jesprt.filter, which will take care of the mechanics of respooling received output into the email system.

    #
    #	/etc/printcap
    #===============================
    # Experimental Email printer   =
    #====================================================================
    jesprt:\
          :lp=/dev/null:sh:mx#0:\
          :sd=/var/spool/lpd/jesprt:\
          :if=/var/spool/lpd/jesprt.filter:
    #====================================================================
    


    Copyright (©) Lew Pitcher, March 2002