How to Add a terminfo Entry for an Unsupported Printer

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, lp, or assume an equivalent role on the print server.

2. 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.

3. Create a terminfo entry file for the printer.

   Table 7–2 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

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

   # tic terminfo_entry

   terminfo_entry

   The terminfo entry file you created.

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