ARCHIVED: When connected to a Unix host, why can't I use the standard printing commands to print to my personal printer?

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The System V and BSD printing commands (lp and lpr, respectively) normally assume that your printer is served by a computer running lpadmin or lpd. Some network printers have this functionality built in, but these are usually the higher-end models, rather than the personal ink jets that most people own. Furthermore, your printer must be defined on the remote Unix host, which requires the attention of a system administrator.

At Indiana University, for personal or departmental Linux or Unix systems support, see Get help for Linux or Unix at IU.