lpc(8) System Manager's Manual lpc(8)
NAME
lpc - Line printer control program
SYNOPSIS
lpc [command [argument ...] ]
DESCRIPTION
The lpc command is used by the system administrator to control the operation of the line printer system. For each line printer configured
in the /etc/printcap file, the lpc command may be used for disabling or enabling a printer; disabling or enabling the printer spooling
queue; rearranging the order of jobs in a spooling queue or finding the status of printers, their associated spooling queues, and the
printer daemons.
Without arguments, lpc prompts for commands from the standard input. When arguments are supplied, lpc interprets the first argument as a
command and any remaining arguments as command parameters. The standard input may be redirected so that lpc reads commands from a file.
The following is the list of recognized lpc commands: Prints a short description of each command specified in the argument list or, when no
arguments are supplied, a list of the recognized commands. Prints a short description of each command specified in the argument list or,
when no arguments are supplied, a list of the recognized commands. Terminates an active spooling daemon running on the local host, and
then disables printing. This prevents new daemons from being started by lpr or lp for the specified printers. Removes any temporary files,
data files, and control files that cannot be printed (files that do not form a complete printer job) from the specified printer queue(s) on
the local machine. Turns the specified printer queues off. This prevents new printer jobs from being entered into the queue by lpr or lp.
Turns the specified printer queue off, disables printing, and puts a message in the printer status file. The message does not need to be
quoted because remaining arguments are treated the same as echo. The down command is normally used to take a printer down and let others
know why. (The lpq command indicates that the printer is down and prints a status message.) Enables spooling on the local queue for the
listed printers. This allows lpr or lp to put new jobs in the spool queue. Exit from lpc. Exit from lpc. Attempts to start a new
printer daemon. This is useful when some abnormal condition causes the daemon to terminate unexpectedly and leave jobs in the queue. lpq
reports that there is no daemon present when this condition occurs. When a daemon is stuck, you must first kill it and then restart.
Enables printing and starts a spooling daemon for the listed printers. Displays the status of daemons and queues on the local machine.
When printer name parameters are not supplied, information about all printers is provided. Stops a spooling daemon after the current job
has completed and disables printing. Places jobs in the order listed at the top of the printer queue. Enables all printing and starts a
new printer daemon. Cancels the effect of the down command.
RESTRICTIONS
Normally, the clean subcommand allows you to remove all print jobs on the system or all jobs on a specified printer. However, clean does
not remove the jobs in the spooling queues. Therefore, you should use the lprm command on a printer-by-printer basis to remove the jobs
you want to eliminate.
ERRORS
The following diagnostic messages are possible. Abbreviation matches more than one command. No match was found. Command may be executed
by the superuser only.
FILES
Specifies the command path. Specifies the printer description file. Specifies print spool directories. Specifies the lock file for queue
control.
RELATED INFORMATION
Commands: cancel(1), lp(1), lpd(8), lpr(1), lpq(1), lprm(1), lpstat(1).
Files: printcap(4). delim off
lpc(8)