cups-browsed
Browse network printers announced via DNS-SD
SYNOPSIS
cups-browsed [options]
PARAMETERS
-c filename
Specifies an alternate configuration file.
-d level
Sets the debug logging level (0 to 3).
-f
Runs in the foreground (for debugging).
-g group
Specifies the group name to run as.
-h hostname[:port]
Specifies the CUPS server to use.
-s
Runs in standalone mode (disables systemd socket activation).
-u user
Specifies the user name to run as.
-v
Show version information.
DESCRIPTION
The cups-browsed
command is a daemon that browses for shared printers announced via DNS-SD (Bonjour/Avahi) and creates local queues for them in CUPS (Common Unix Printing System). It listens for printer advertisements on the network and dynamically adds or removes printer queues in the CUPS printing system, making network printers automatically available to users without requiring manual configuration. This is especially useful in environments where printers are frequently added or removed, or where users move between networks. cups-browsed
simplifies printer discovery and setup for end-users. It allows users to print to networked printers that are discovered automatically without manual configuration.
The command runs as a background process and interacts with the CUPS server to manage printer queues. cups-browsed
improves the ease of use of printing services on linux systems in small and big office and home environments.
CAVEATS
Proper DNS-SD configuration is required for cups-browsed
to function correctly. Firewall rules may need adjustment to allow MDNS traffic for printer discovery.
CONFIGURATION FILE
The configuration file for cups-browsed
typically resides in /etc/cups/cups-browsed.conf
. It allows customization of browsing behavior, such as filtering printers based on location or type.
Refer to the cups-browsed.conf(5)
manual page for details.
DEBUGGING
The debug level can be adjusted to get verbose logging from cups-browsed
. Running in the foreground with -f
is useful for observing its behavior directly.
HISTORY
cups-browsed
was developed as part of the CUPS project to simplify printer discovery and management in networked environments. Its introduction aimed to make network printing more user-friendly, particularly in dynamic environments where printers might come and go frequently. It's designed to automate the process of adding and removing printer queues within CUPS, based on network advertisements. CUPS is developed by OpenPrinting.
SEE ALSO
lp(1), lpadmin(8), cupsd(8), avahi-browse(1), driverless(1)