cupsaddsmb

cupsaddsmb [-H server] [-U user] [-v] printer-name

-H server
    Specifies the Samba server to use. Defaults to the value configured in the cups-browsed.conf file.

-U user
    Specifies the username to use when connecting to the Samba server. If not specified, you will be prompted for a password.

-v
    Enables verbose output.

printer-name
    The name of the printer in CUPS to export to Samba.

The cupsaddsmb command exports printer definitions from CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) to a Samba server, allowing Windows clients to easily discover and install shared printers. It generates the necessary printer driver files (PostScript Printer Description or PPD) and configuration for Samba so that Windows machines can automatically download and install the appropriate drivers when a user attempts to connect to the printer through the Samba network. This command simplifies the printer sharing process in mixed environments where Linux/Unix servers host printers and Windows clients need to access them.

It typically requires root privileges to execute properly, as it needs to modify both CUPS and Samba configuration files. cupsaddsmb ensures the printer is correctly advertised over the network and that the proper drivers are available for a seamless Windows printing experience.

This command depends on both CUPS and Samba being correctly configured. It requires write access to the Samba configuration files and driver directory. Ensure that the Samba user specified has sufficient privileges. Using with modern samba versions might require different or additional parameters to work correctly, like specifying the architecture of the drivers.

If the command fails, check the CUPS and Samba logs for errors. Ensure that the Samba user has write access to the driver directory and that the CUPS printer is configured correctly. Problems also arise from driver incompatibility, in which case a compatible driver needs to be manually installed and specified.

It is important to use strong passwords for the Samba user specified with the -U option. Limit the user's privileges to only what is necessary for printer sharing. Regularly update CUPS and Samba to address any security vulnerabilities.

The cupsaddsmb command was developed as part of the CUPS project to facilitate printer sharing with Windows clients using Samba. Its creation was driven by the need to simplify the complex process of manually configuring Samba to share printers, including driver distribution and printer discovery. Over time, the command has been updated to support newer versions of both CUPS and Samba, addressing compatibility issues and incorporating new features. Its usage has become widespread in environments where cross-platform printing is required.

smb.conf(5), cupsd(8), lp(1), lpadmin(8)