Print filters are added, changed, or removed on the print server only.
You use the lpfilter(1M) command to manage the list of available filters. System information about filters is stored in the /etc/lp/filter.table file. The lpfilter command gets the information about filters to write to the table from filter descriptor files. The filter descriptor files supplied (PostScript only) are located in the /etc/lp/fd directory. The actual filter programs are located under /usr/lib/lp.
The LP print service imposes no fixed limit on the number of print filters you can define. You can remove filters that are no longer used to avoid extra processing by the LP print service. (LP examines all filters to find one that works for a specific print request.) If in doubt, do not remove a filter.
As you add, change, or delete filters, you can overwrite or remove some of the original filters provided by the LP print service. You can restore the original set of filters, if necessary, and remove any filters you have added.
SunOS software provides a default set of PostScript filters, which Solaris Print Manager automatically adds to a print server. Some of the TranScript filters used with SunOS 4.1 have SunOS equivalents, but others do not. The table below lists the default PostScript filters and identifies the TranScript filters, where applicable.
Table 6-1 Default PostScript Filters
Filter |
Action |
TranScript Equivalent |
---|---|---|
download |
Download fonts |
|
dpost |
ditroff to PostScript |
psdit |
postdaisy |
daisy to PostScript | |
postdmd |
dmd to PostScript | |
postio |
Serial interface for PostScript printer | pscomm |
postior |
Communicate with printer | |
postmd |
Matrix gray scales to PostScript | |
postplot |
plot to PostScript |
psplot |
postprint |
simple to PostScript |
enscript |
postreverse |
Reverse or select pages |
psrev |
posttek |
TEK4014 to PostScript |
ps4014 |
The SunOS software does not provide the following filters:
TEX
oscat (NeWSprint opost)
Enscript
The postreverse, postprint, postio, and dpost filters are provided in place of Enscript.
Solaris Print Manager adds the default PostScript filters to a print server. If you have printing needs that are not met by these filters, see "How to Create a New Print Filter" for information about writing a custom print filter.