Installation on Novell OES Linux (iPrint)
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Installation on Novell OES Linux (iPrint)

Important

The following section assumes the reader has knowledge of general Novell OES Linux system management including using the command-line, creating users, editing configuration files and understanding file permissions.

Step 1 - System Requirements

Before proceeding with the installation the system administrator should take a few moments to verify system requirements. Is the operating system version supported and are patches up-to-date? Take a few minutes to verify the system is current and supported (see the section called “System Requirements”). PaperCut NG is designed to intergrate with iPrint on Novell OES Linux. If your printers are currently hosted on iPrint on a Netware server or even under legacy NDPS, you will first need to migrate your queues over to a OES Linux based server. Ensure your printing is correctly working under iPrint on OES Linux before continuing to the next step.

Step 2 - Create the host user account and firewall settings

PaperCut NG runs and installs under a non-privileged user account called "papercut". The papercut user's home directory location denotes the application install location. /home/papercut is recommended, however Administrators may consider alternate install locations depending on personal preference. Alternatives may include:

  • /usr/local/papercut

  • /opt/papercut

The host user account is not an eDirectory account but a local system account. One way to create the "papercut" account on OES Linux is:

  1. Open YaST Control Panel and select User Management under Security and Users.

  2. Click Add to create a new user.

  3. On the User Data tab, enter a username of papercut and assign a secret password.

    Creating the host user account - part 1

    Figure 2.9. Creating the host user account - part 1

  4. On the Details tab, select Empty Home with permissions 755 and change the Home Directory path to define an alternate install location.

    Creating the host user account - part 2

    Figure 2.10. Creating the host user account - part 2

  5. Create the account by clicking the Accept button.

Important

This quick start guide assumes the install location is /home/papercut. If an alternate home location is defined, some of the paths listed in subsequent sections will require modification.

Novell OES Linux has a strict default firewall policy. PaperCut NG uses ports 9191 (for HTTP) and ports 9192 (for HTTPS/SSL) and these ports must be open. To open these ports:

  1. Open YaST Control Panel and select Firewall under Security and Users.

  2. Select Allowed Services, then click the Advanced... button.

  3. Add ports 9191 and 9192 to the TCP Ports list (separated by spaces).

  4. Click OK, Next, then Accept to apply the changes.

Step 3 - Download and installing

PaperCut NG is supplied as a self-extracting and self-installing archive. The installation is performed under the rights of the newly created papercut account and temporary root access will be required. Please have the root password handy. (Administrators who are after a detailed explanation of the install process should also consult the background information in Chapter 19, PaperCut NG on Linux).

Log on as the newly created papercut user and download and execute the installer from the command prompt. Here is an example using wget to fetch the installer: 

    shell> su - papercut
    shell> wget [download url from PaperCut Software website]
    shell> sh ./pcng-setup-novell-oes-linux.sh

Follow the installation instructions and enter the root password when requested.

Important

Ensure you login as the user papercut so that the user's environment is sourced and the home directory (install location) is correctly defined.

The Novell OES Linux install process

Figure 2.11. The Novell OES Linux install process

The installation process will take between two and five minutes depending on the speed of the system. A system restart is not required but administrators are advised to perform installation on live production systems during periods of low activity - for example, not during backup operations or other administration activities.

Step 4 - Configuration Wizard

After installation, you will be prompted to open a web browser at http://[server-name]:9191/admin to complete configuration. The configuration stages are explained below:

Administrator Password

This is the master password for the main in-built admin account. This password is independent of the operating system or domain passwords. Keep knowledge of this password secure! This screen also sets the system's physical location. Ensure the location and language setting is correct.

PaperCut NG Configuration wizard

Figure 2.12. PaperCut NG Configuration wizard

Tip

Treat this password like your router/modem management passwords. It is independent of your domain accounts and needs to be kept secure.

Select Modules

PaperCut NG contains modules for both printing and Internet usage control. Both of these modules are optional and licensed separately. Select the modules to enable on this system.

NOTE: The Internet control module requires an authenticating web proxy server like Microsoft ISA Server or Squid Proxy. For more information, see Chapter 14, Net Control in Detail.

Default Print Cost

This is the default cost-per-page assigned to the printers. This setting can be changed on a per printer basis after installation. Choosing a sensible cost now will help minimize future setup. For example in the USA, a value of $0.05 would be appropriate for many standard black & white printers.

Initial User Credit

Users can be assigned an initial starting credit. This ensures they have funds in their account as soon as the system is enabled. An option also exists to control what happens when users run out of credit/quota. If you are evaluating PaperCut NG it might be appropriate not to disable printing when a users funds run out. This way you can be assured that user printing is not disrupted during the evaluation. These settings may be changed after setup.

User/group synchronization

PaperCut NG extracts user information out of the System or Domain. The options presented here will vary depending on the Operating System and its environment. During evaluation, most sites will opt to import all users from the system/domain into PaperCut NG. An option also exists to import a subset of users from a given group. This option is pertinent when it is known that only a subset of users will only ever use the printers.

eDirectory/LDAP configuration wizard page

Figure 2.13. eDirectory/LDAP configuration wizard page

PaperCut NG has native support for eDirectory LDAP schemas. This will be the default user import option for most sites. PaperCut NG will do it's best to auto-discover LDAP settings, but some knowlege of eDirectory and/or LDAP will be required. More information on LDAP is available in the section called “Using LDAP for user synchronization”.

Wizard Completion

After completing the configuration wizard you will be presented with a user synchronization status screen and an option to Login. Take some time to log in and browse the interface. There are many options and now is a good time to have a look at some of the key areas of the application. Take some time to explore!

Step 5 - Printer/iPrint Configuration

PaperCut NG works by directly integrating with the Novell iPrint Print Manager. iPrint must however be configured to use PaperCut NG as an accounting control source. In the current release, this configuration is done manually at the individual print queue level:

  1. Log into iManager, expand iPrint, and select Manage Printer Manager

  2. Select the Printer Manager associated with one of your print queues.

  3. Click the Manage health monitor link. A list of all your printers should appear.

  4. Select a Printer Agent from the list.

  5. Click Configuration Options.

  6. Enter papercut under the Accounting Autoload Command.

  7. Click Apply.

  8. Click Back, then Back and repeat steps 4 through 7 for all printers that should be monitored/controlled by PaperCut NG

  9. Finally restart the Printer Manager in iManager by pressing Shutdown then Startup. After this, all jobs on the queues should be tracked.

Step 6 - Sharing Client Software

The PaperCut NG client software is located in the local directory: 

    /home/papercut/client

This software needs to be shared over the network so workstations can access/install the client application. Novell iManager provides a number of file sharing options. One simple solution is to add a read-only NCP or Samba share called PCClient pointing to /home/papercut/client. Established networks will benefit from ensuring the client files are available in their Distributed Files Services. The deployment of the client software (e.g. zero-install deployment) is covered in the section called “User Client”.

Step 7 - Testing

It is now time to test the system.

  1. Print a test document such as a web page or basic document.

  2. Navigate to the printer section and select the Print Log tab.

  3. Navigate to the Printers → Print Log tab.

  4. Your print job should now be listed in the log.

  5. Your user account should also be charged an appropriate amount.

What next?

This concludes the Install Guide. You may like to take some time to explore the features of PaperCut NG before continuing reading at Chapter 3, Implementation by Example or Chapter 4, Quick Tour. Business users may be particularly interested in trying the popup client software as covered in the section called “Client Software”. If desired, the client software should also be deployed to other workstations. This procedure is detailed in the section called “User Client”.

To setup the optional Internet Control module, see the instructions in Chapter 14, Net Control in Detail.

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