Configure a Macintosh secondary print server

This section describes the process of setting up a secondary Mac print serverA print server is a system responsible for hosting print queues and sharing printer resources to desktops. Users submit print jobs to a print server rather then directly to the printer itself. A print server can be a dedicated server but on many networks this server also performs other tasks, such as file serving. The primary Application ServerAn Application Server is the primary server program responsible for providing the PaperCut user interface, storing data, and providing services to users. PaperCut uses the Application Server to manage user and account information, manage printers, calculate print costs, provide a web browser interface to administrators and end users, and much more. can either be a Windows, Mac or a Linux basis system. PaperCut NG/MF has full support for "mixed" or heterogeneous printing environments.

Step 1: Ensure primary server is set up correctly

Before installing a secondary serverA PaperCut secondary server is a system that directly hosts a printer, that is, a print server with a Print Provider installed. A secondary server can be a server style system hosting many printers, a desktop style system hosting printer(s) also shared to other network users, or a desktop style system with the printer used only for local users (not shared). you should ensure the Application Server is set up and running correctly. Verify that the Application Server is functioning correctly. For example, verify that:

Printers on this server are being tracked.
Users can log in to user pages from their workstations.
Administrators can access the system.

Step 2: Ensure firewall software is set to allow access to port 9191

Secondary server needs to communicate (initiate a TCP connection) on port 9191. Make sure any firewall software on the primary Application Server is not set to block any incoming local network traffic on this port. A good way to test is to open a browser on the planned secondary server, then check you can access the administration web interface on port 9191.

Step 3: Check that the host user account exists

PaperCut NG/MF runs under a non-privileged user account called "papercut". This invisible system account is created automatically upon first install. Advanced SysAdmins can, however, have a preference to create this account manually. If you fall into this category, create the papercut account now prior to installation.

Step 4: Install the Print Provider

Install the Print ProviderA Print Provider is a monitoring service installed on a secondary print server to allow PaperCut to control and track printers. This monitoring component intercepts the local printing and reports the use back to the primary Application Server. software onto the secondary server. Download the latest Mac DMG disk image and execute the contained installer called PaperCut NG/MF secondary server Installation.pkg.

Step 5: Configuration

The Print Provider on the secondary server needs to know where the primary server is installed. The installer attempts to open the appropriate configuration file automatically after the install completes. However, your IT environment configuration might prevent this from happening. If it does not automatically open, open the following file in a text editor:

[app-path]/providers/print/mac/print-provider.conf

To configure a secondary server:

Locate the line starting with ApplicationServer= and change localhost to the name or IP address of the primary server.
Save the file and exit the text editor.
Double-click the command script /Applications/PaperCut NG/MF/Control Printer Monitoring.command, and enable monitoring on the appropriate printers.

Step 6: Test

The secondary server should now be configured. Log in to the system as "admin" and verify that the printers are now listed on the Printers List page. Perform a multi-page test print on each printer and verify that print jobs are tracked correctly.