ULPT(4)

📦
version 15.1 · 3 versions
, in freebsd 14.5, freebsd 15.1, nixpkgs unstable

💅 ULPT(4) — USB printer support, but make it iconic

Okay so picture this: it's ulpt(4), the USB printer driver manual, and honestly? It's giving main character energy for your old-school printer setup. Let me walk you through it, bestie. 🖨️✨

SYNOPSIS — how to actually get this driver in your life

So there's two ways to do this, and it depends on whether you're building it into the kernel or loading it as a module. Both are valid, pick your vibe.

To compile this driver into the kernel, place the following line in your kernel configuration file:

device ulpt

Alternatively, to load the driver as a module at boot time, place the following line in loader.conf(5):

ulpt_load="YES"

Slay, now it's in your system. 🎀

DESCRIPTION — the tea on what this driver actually does

The ulpt driver provides support for USB printers that follow the printer bi- or uni-directional protocol. So like, it speaks printer. Fluently. 💅

Here's the cute part: the bits in the minor number select various features of the driver. It's like a little secret menu. 👑

  • 64 — Do not initialize (reset) the device on the port.

Now, important caveat, and I need you to hear me on this: some printers cannot handle the reset on open. Like, they just can't. It's not their era. In case of problems, try the unlpt device instead. No cap, that's the workaround. 🙈

HARDWARE — the devices that are invited to the party

The ulpt driver provides support for USB printers and parallel printer conversion cables, including the following. It's a whole guest list, bestie:

  • ATen parallel printer adapter
  • Belkin F5U002 parallel printer adapter
  • Canon BJ F850, S600
  • Canon LBP-1310, 350
  • Entrega USB-to-parallel printer adapter
  • Hewlett-Packard HP Deskjet 3420 (P/N: C8947A #ABJ)
  • Oki Data MICROLINE ML660PS
  • Seiko Epson PM-900C, 880C, 820C, 730C

If your printer is on this list, congrats, you're literally compatible. If not? Well, the manual doesn't say, and I'm not gonna invent facts. 🦋

FILES — where the magic lives

  • /dev/ulpt? — device with reset
  • /dev/unlpt? — device without reset

Two paths, two vibes. Choose wisely based on whether your printer can handle the reset situation. 🫶

SEE ALSO — go read these next, bestie

Iykyk, these are the related manuals that might help you out. ✨

HISTORY — the origin story

The ulpt driver appeared in NetBSD 1.4. And this manual page? It was adopted from NetBSD by Tom Rhodes <trhodes@FreeBSD.org> in April 2002. So it's got lore. Old lore. Iconic. 🌸

Alright bestie, that's the whole thing. This page is from the Debian manual set, dated November 22, 2006. Classic era. Now go forth and print something. Periodt. 💖
📦 where this page comes from