System Administration Guide

How to Add a terminfo Entry for an Unsupported Printer


Note -

Before you create a terminfo entry for a printer, you should first make sure none of the existing terminfo entries will support the printer. To do so, try to set up the printer with an entry for a similar printer, if there is one.


  1. Log in as superuser or lp on the print server.

  1. Determine a terminfo entry name for the printer.

    The directories in the /usr/share/lib/terminfo directory contain all the valid terminfo entries. Use them as a guide for choosing a name for the printer.

  2. Create a terminfo entry file for the printer.

    Table 44-2 shows the items you must define in the terminfo entry to add a new printer to the LP print service. For more details about the structure of the terminfo database, see terminfo(4).

    To help you start writing a new terminfo entry, use the infocmp command to save an existing terminfo entry to a file. This is helpful if there is a terminfo entry that is similar to one you want to create. For example, the following command saves the ps entry to the ps_cust file, which will become the new terminfo entry.

    infocmp ps > ps_cust

  3. Compile the terminfo entry file into the terminfo database.


    # tic terminfo_entry
    

    terminfo_entry

    The terminfo entry file you created.

  4. Check for the new terminfo entry file in the /usr/share/lib/terminfo directory.