How to share a printer on a network in Ubuntu

Sharing a printer on a network enables multiple users to access a single printer without the need for physical connections to each computer. Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution, includes a built-in graphical tool for printer management, making network printer sharing simple and efficient.

Using the Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS), Ubuntu can share printers over a local network. This setup allows any user within the network to send print jobs to the shared printer, regardless of their operating system, enhancing efficiency in both home and office environments. CUPS ensures compatibility with various operating systems, including Windows, for seamless printer sharing in a mixed-OS environment.

Ubuntu's Settings application offers an intuitive interface for managing printer configurations and sharing options. By navigating through this application, users can enable and configure network printer sharing. Combined with CUPS, this interface makes integrating network printers straightforward for technical IT professionals.

1. Open the Settings application.
2. Navigate to the Printers section from the sidebar menu.
3. Select the printer you wish to share from the list of available printers.
4. Click on the Additional Printer Settings link located below the list.
5. In the printer configuration window, right-click on your printer and choose Properties.
6. Navigate to the Policies tab in the properties window.
7. Check the box labeled Shared to allow sharing of this printer.
8. Click the Apply button to save changes.
9. Ensure your firewall settings permit the printer sharing service, usually over port 631.

   $ sudo ufw allow 631/tcp

   Firewall settings are crucial to permit external devices to communicate with the shared printer. Ensure you modify firewall rules with caution.

10. Inform other network users about the printer's network address, typically in the format hostname:631/printers/printer_name.