davegreenwood / docker-cups-dell-1320c

Docker file with cups and AirPrint - with driver compatible with Dell 1320c laser printer

About

Generally useful, but specifically to run an old Dell 1320c printer.

This i386/debian:buster-slim Docker image runs a CUPS instance that is meant as an AirPrint relay for printers that are already on the network but not AirPrint capable. The local Avahi will be utilized for advertising the printers on the network.

This allows a printer to be used with iphones, etc.

There was never a driver for the Dell 1320c on linux, but the FujiXerox C525 32bit driver works fine.

Requirements

The host must have avahi-daemon installed and running.

Build

docker build -t dgrnwd/cups-airprint .

Create

Creating a container is often more desirable than directly running it:

$ docker create \
       --name=cups \
       --restart=always \
       --net=host \
       -v /var/run/dbus:/var/run/dbus \
       -v /opt/appdata/cups/config:/config \
       -v /opt/appdata/cups/services:/services \
       --device /dev/bus \
       --device /dev/usb \
       -e CUPSADMIN="admin" \
       -e CUPSPASSWORD="password" \
       dgrnwd/cups-airprint

Follow this with docker start and your cups/airprint printer is running:

$ docker start cups

To stop the container simply run:

$ docker stop cups

To remove the container simply run:

$ docker rm cups

Parameters

• --name: gives the container a name making it easier to work with/on (e.g. cups)
• --restart: restart policy for how to handle restarts (e.g. always restart)
• --net: network to join (e.g. the host network)
• -v /opt/appdata/cups/config:/config: where the persistent printer configs will be stored
• -v /opt/appdata/cups/services:/services: where the Avahi service files will be generated
• -e CUPSADMIN: the CUPS admin user you want created
• -e CUPSPASSWORD: the password for the CUPS admin user
• --device /dev/bus: device mounted for interacting with USB printers
• --device /dev/usb: device mounted for interacting with USB printers

Using

CUPS will be configurable at http://host-server-ip:631 using the CUPSADMIN/CUPSPASSWORD when you do something administrative.

If the /services volume isn't mapping to /etc/avahi/services then you will have to manually copy the .service files to that path at the command line.

Notes

• CUPS doesn't write out printers.conf immediately when making changes even though they're live in CUPS. Therefore it will take a few moments before the services files update
• Don't stop the container immediately if you intend to have a persistent configuration for this reason.

Example adding the Dell Printer - attached to host usb

Visit the cups interface and:

• Click on "System - Administration - Printing"
• Click "Add Printer"
• The printer attached to usb is shown as "Dell Color Laser 1320c (Dell Color Laser 1320c)"
• Select the printer and click continue.
• Name it something useful
• Select "Share this printer", click continue...
• Select "Another make/manufacturer" and choose FX, click continue...
• Select "FX Docuprint C525 A-AP v1.0 (en)", click Add printer...
• Click "Options Installed" and for "Optional Tray Module" select "250 Sheet Feeder".
• Click "Basic" and change "Paper Source" to "Tray 1 (250 Sheets)"
• Click "Set Default Options"
• Test by selecting Maintenance > Print Test Page.

If all is well, the printer should be visible on the network to devices.