Printing from a Macintosh

Last revision July 19, 2004

This note describes access to PostScript network printers via the AppleTalk protocols. Support for AppleTalk is built into all versions of the Macintosh operating system. Virtually all networked printers in the School use the PostScript language and accept AppleTalk connections. As part of the AppleTalk protocols, Macintosh computers can learn the features of each printer directly from the printer. MacOS 8, 9, and X can also connect to printers via the Unix "lpd" protocol. The lpd protocol is also supported by most modern printers, but requires that you know the printer model and have the appropriate PPD file installed on your computer already.

Macintosh computers normally access networked laser printers directly via the "Chooser" in Classic MacOS (versions 6 through 9) or the "Print Center" in MacOS X. Some laser printers in the School are controlled by pangea which provides a print spooling and authentication service for Macintosh computers.

Direct network access to printers by Macintosh computers provides no access control (limiting printing to specific users) or accounting (tallying number of pages printed by user). Printing from Unix systems provides both access control (you must log in first) and accounting.

Access control and accounting are not an issue for printers in specific workgroups because they can keep the printer itself locked up in the lab or office where outsiders can't get to it and they buy all their own supplies.

The School provides some general purpose printers in the Mitchell A65 computer cluster and Mitchell B02 GIS lab. These rooms are accessible by anyone, including people not affiliated with the School (at least during daytime hours). The policy under which these printers were obtained is that the departments pay for the supplies in proportion to usage by their members.

The AppleTalk software on pangea is configured to "capture" these School printers so they cannot be directly access by Macintosh computers, and to provide a printing queue instead. The pangea printing queue will not accept the print job from your Macintosh unless you have authenticated yourself first as a valid pangea user.

Find out how to use these School printers, including how the authentication works, on the Schoolwide Printers web page.

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