Managed Client: How to manage printer options

Learn how to define printers and manage other settings in Workgroup Manager. Printer options include settings for installed hardware, such as paper handlers or additional memory.

Notes

• You cannot manage printer-specific options using Workgroup Manager.

• AppleCare provides telephone support for this advanced configuration with a support contract only.

Create and distribute a customized PPD file

1. In System Preferences, open Printing preferences and add the printer.

2. Configure the printer options:

   1. Click "Options & Supplies...".

   2. Under the Driver tab, make sure the correct driver is selected.

   3. Configure additional printer options under the Driver tab, such as enabling a duplexing unit.

   4. Click Done to save the changes.

3. Locate the configured PPD file in /etc/cups/ppd/ . If the printer was added manually, it will have the same name as the printer. If the printer was added via MCX, it will use the mcx_0, mcx_1 naming convention.

4. Once you've located the correct PPD file, copy it to a new location. For example, you can create a /Library/Printers/ConfiguredPPDs directory and copy the file using the following two commands:

   sudo mkdir /Library/Printers/ConfiguredPPDs sudo cp /etc/cups/ppd/My_Printer.ppd /Library/Printers/ConfiguredPPDs/

5. Distribute the configured PPD file. If you're using Remote Desktop, copy the file and use the following options:

   • Place items in: Same relative location.

   • Set item ownership to: Inherit from destination folder

6. Use the steps in Mac OS X Server v10.6: Managed printers not configured with the correct driver on clients to specify the customized PPD. For example:

   /Library/Printers/ConfiguredPPDs/My_Printer.ppd

Note: If clients have already configured this printer, to pick up these changes you'll need to remove the printer and let a new one be created using MCX.