How to use the command 'ipptool' (with examples)

The ipptool command is a powerful utility used to issue Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) requests to a printer or print server and receive its responses. Often employed in networked environments, ipptool helps in diagnosing issues, retrieving printer attributes, and subscribing to printer events. It operates seamlessly within the Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS) and can be especially useful for administrators looking to automate and manage print services efficiently.

Use case 1: Get all attributes and their values supported by a printer

Code:

ipptool ipp://printer_uri get-printer-attributes.test

Motivation:

Understanding the attributes and supported values of a printer is crucial for ensuring compatibility with various printing jobs and applications. By retrieving this information, users can tailor print jobs to align with available printer settings, which ultimately enhances performance and avoid potential print errors.

Explanation:

• ipptool: This is the command used for interacting with IPP services.
• ipp://printer_uri: This specifies the IPP URL of the target printer. It acts like an address, directing the command to the desired printer on the network.
• get-printer-attributes.test: This is a predefined test file that instructs ipptool to fetch and list all printer attributes and their supported values.

Example Output:

printer-name: OfficeJet_1234
printer-uri-supported (1setOf uri) = ipp://printer_uri
printer-location = "Office Room 101"
printer-make-and-model = "HP OfficeJet Pro 9025"
print-quality-supported = draft, normal, high
color-supported = true

Use case 2: Get the list of completed jobs of a printer

Code:

ipptool ipp://printer_uri get-completed-jobs.test

Motivation:

Monitoring completed jobs on a printer is essential for maintaining a record of usage, auditing purposes, and troubleshooting misidentifications or failures of print jobs. This information can also help administrators detect anomalies or usage patterns that might require further investigation or optimization.

Explanation:

• ipptool: The command utilized for sending and receiving IPP requests from printers or print servers.
• ipp://printer_uri: The IPP URL that indicates the network location of the printer.
• get-completed-jobs.test: A predefined test file that commands ipptool to retrieve a list of jobs that have been completed by the printer.

Example Output:

job-id: 45
job-name: "Quarterly_Report.pdf"
job-status: completed
job-date: 2023-10-21T14:30:00Z
job-id: 46
job-name: "Invoice_September.pdf"
job-status: completed
job-date: 2023-10-21T15:00:00Z

Use case 3: Send an email notification when a printer changes

Code:

ipptool -d recipient=mailto:email ipp://printer_uri create-printer-subscription.test

Motivation:

Proactively detecting changes in a printer’s status or configuration can save time and prevent disruptions in environments that rely heavily on uninterrupted printing service. Setting up notifications helps users and administrators stay informed about any issues or status updates, enabling them to take swift corrective actions.

Explanation:

• ipptool: The command that facilitates communication with IPP-compliant devices.
• -d recipient=mailto:email: This option allows you to define a variable in the test file. Here, recipient is set to the notification email address in a mailto: format.
• ipp://printer_uri: The specific printer’s URL for which the subscription is being created.
• create-printer-subscription.test: A test file that sets up a subscription to send notifications whenever there is a change in the printer’s state or configuration.

Example Output:

Subscription created successfully.
Notifications will be sent to: user@example.com

Conclusion:

The ipptool command is an indispensable asset for printer and network administrators. It simplifies the task of managing and troubleshooting printing systems through simple yet powerful IPP requests. From retrieving printer attributes to setting up alert systems for quick response to printer status changes, ipptool enhances user control and operational efficiency while managing print environments.