doc/system-overview.shtml

   1 <H2>System Overview</H2>
   2
   3 <P>CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX&reg;-based
   4 operating systems. It has been developed by
   5 <A HREF="http://www.easysw.com">Easy Software Products</A> to promote a
   6 standard printing solution for all UNIX vendors and users. CUPS
   7 provides the System V and Berkeley command-line interfaces.
   8
   9 <P>CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for
  10 managing print jobs and queues. The Line Printer Daemon ("LPD") Server
  11 Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a. JetDirect) protocols are
  12 also supported with reduced functionality. CUPS adds network printer
  13 browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based
  14 printing options to support real-world printing under UNIX.
  15
  16 <P>CUPS also includes a customized version of GNU Ghostscript
  17 (currently based off GNU Ghostscript 5.50) and an image file RIP that
  18 are used to support non-PostScript printers. Sample drivers for HP and
  19 EPSON printers are included that use these filters.