This section works like [homes], but for printers.
If a [printers] section occurs in the configuration file, users are able to connect to any printer specified in the local host's printcap file.
When a connection request is made, the existing sections are scanned. If a match is found, it is used. If no match is found, but a [homes] section exists, it is used as described above. Otherwise, the requested section name is treated as a printer name and the appropriate printcap file is scanned to see if the requested section name is a valid printer share name. If a match is found, a new printer share is created by cloning the [printers] section.
A few modifications are then made to the newly created share:
The share name is set to the located printer name
If no printer name was given, the printer name is set to the located printer name
If the share does not permit guest access and no username was given, the username is set to the located printer name.
The [printers] service MUST be printable - if you specify otherwise, the server will refuse to load the configuration file.
Typically the path specified is that of a world-writeable spool directory with the sticky bit set on it. A typical [printers] entry looks like this:
[printers]
path = /usr/spool/public
guest ok = yes
printable = yes
All aliases given for a printer in the printcap file are legitimate printer names as far as the server is concerned. If your printing subsystem doesn't work like that, you will have to set up a pseudo-printcap. This is a file consisting of one or more lines like this:
alias|alias|alias|alias...
Each alias should be an acceptable printer name for your printing subsystem. In the [global] section, specify the new file as your printcap. The server will only recognize names found in your pseudo-printcap, which of course can contain whatever aliases you like. The same technique could be used simply to limit access to a subset of your local printers.
An alias, by the way, is defined as any component of the first entry of a printcap record. Records are separated by newlines,
components (if there are more than one) are separated by vertical bar symbols (|).
On SYSV systems which use lpstat to determine what printers are defined on the system you may be able to use
printcap name = lpstat to automatically obtain a list of printers. See the
printcap name option for more details.