Converting Existing Printer Configuration Information

Existing printer configuration information will automatically be converted when installing or upgrading to the Solaris 8 release. This section explains how to convert the printer configuration information for a system running SunOS 5.5.1 release or a system running the SunOS 4.1 release to the /etc/printers.conf printer configuration file. You'll use one of two print administration commands to automate the conversion task:

• The conv_lp(1M) command enables you to convert information in the /etc/lp/printers directory on a SunOS 5.8 system to entries in the system's /etc/printers.conf file. See "How to Convert Printer Information For a System Running the SunOS 5.5.1 Release" for instructions.

• The conv_lpd(1M) command enables you to convert information in a /etc/printcap configuration file from a SunOS 4.1 system to entries in a /etc/printers.conf file. See "How to Convert Printer Information For a System Running the SunOS 4.1 Release" for instructions.

If you are not using a name service, you should create a master /etc/printers.conf file that includes the existing printers at your site. You can then copy the master file to all the print clients or by loading it into the NIS or NIS+ name service. This is a good way to initially enable all the new print clients access to the existing printers at your site.

If you are using the NIS or NIS+ name service to configure printer information, do not use a /etc/printers.conf file on your print clients. A print client uses the /etc/printers.conf file first to locate a printer; however, the /etc/printers.conf file might conflict with the printer information in the NIS or NIS+ maps and cause unexpected results. To avoid this problem, remove the /etc/printers.conf file on print clients when you want them to use NIS or NIS+ for printer information.