CUPS

[exeter]

Well, I did it. I got CUPS working with my network Brother mono laser. It wasn't easy, so I took detailed notes and I've posted them here for any fellow sufferers to use:

Fresh install of FreeBSD using static IP (192.168.0.6):
uname -a
FreeBSD acer 14.0-CURRENT FreeBSD 14.0-CURRENT #0 main-n263002-743516d51fa7: Thu May 18 07:36:18 UTC 2023 root@releng1.nyi.freebsd.org:/usr/obj/usr/src/i386.i386/sys/GENERIC i386

Install CUPS and Avahi (about 30 minutes):
# pkg install cups cups-filters avahi nss_mdss
(Note: It might be better to use avahi-app)

Edit /etc/rc.conf
Add:

cupsd_enable="YES"
devfs_system_ruleset=desktop
dbus_enable="YES"
avahi_daemon_enable="YES"



Edit /etc/devfs.rules
Add:

add path 'lpt*' mode 0660 group cups
add path 'ulpt*' mode 0660 group cups
add path 'unlpt*' mode 0660 group cups

Edit /etc/nsswitch.conf like this:
#
# nsswitch.conf(5) - name service switch configuration file
# $FreeBSD$
#
group: compat
group_compat: nis
hosts: mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] files dns
netgroup: compat
networks: files
passwd: compat
passwd_compat: nis
shells: files
services: compat
services_compat: nis
protocols: files
rpc: files

Modify cupsd.conf:
edit /usr/local/etc/cups/cupsd.conf
# Restrict access to the server...
<Location />
Order allow,deny
allow 192.168.0.*
# mg ^^^^
satisfy any
# mg ^^^^^
</Location>

# Restrict access to the admin pages...
<Location /admin>
Order allow,deny
allow 192.168.0.*
# mg ^^^^^^
</Location>

# Only listen for connections from the local machine.
# Listen localhost:631
Port 631
#mg ^^^

Restart
# shutdown -r now

Access web interface at 192.168.0.6:631

select printer maker - generic
select printer - PCL

Description: Brother HL-2150N series
Location: Local Printer
Driver: Generic PCL Laser Printer (grayscale)
Connection: dnssd://Brother%20HL-2150N%20series._pdl-datastream._tcp.local/
Defaults: job-sheets=none, none media=iso_a4_210x297mm sides=one-sided

Great success. Feel free to add improvements below.

 

[decuser]

Finally... got this to work! Thanks for the post. I used avahi-app and not avahi, and I installed brlaser for the drivers which means I get to pick my actual printer driver (DCP-L2550DW) and get its all its goodies. This was on 13.2, but I expect it's the same on 14.

 

[exeter]

Finally... got this to work! Thanks for the post. I used avahi-app and not avahi, and I installed brlaser for the drivers which means I get to pick my actual printer driver (DCP-L2550DW) and get its all its goodies. This was on 13.2, but I expect it's the same on 14.

Can you expand on "I installed brlaser" please.

 

[T-Aoki]

Can you expand on "I installed brlaser" please.

Maybe installed print/brlaser and configured to use it via web interface of cups?

 

[decuser]

sudo pkg install brlaser it autoconfigures and becomes available in cups.