cupsd.conf(5)

Name

cupsd.conf - server configuration file for cups

The cupsd.conf file configures the CUPS scheduler, cupsd(8). It is normally located in the /etc/cups directory. Each line in the file can be a configuration directive, a blank line, or a comment. Configuration directives typically consist of a name and zero or more values separated by whitespace. The configuration directive name and values are case-insensitive. Comment lines start with the # character.

Top-level Directives

The following top-level directives are understood by cupsd(8):

AccessLogLevel config
AccessLogLevel actions
AccessLogLevel all: Specifies the logging level for the AccessLog file. The "config" level logs when printers and classes are added, deleted, or modified and when configuration files are accessed or updated. The "actions" level logs when print jobs are submitted, held, released, modified, or canceled, and any of the conditions for "config". The "all" level logs all requests. The default access log level is "actions".
AutoPurgeJobs Yes
AutoPurgeJobs No: Specifies whether to purge job history data automatically when it is no longer required for quotas. The default is "No".
BrowseDNSSDSubTypes_subtype[,...]: Specifies a list of Bonjour sub-types to advertise for each shared printer. For example, "BrowseDNSSDSubTypes _cups,_print" will tell network clients that both CUPS sharing and IPP Everywhere are supported. The default is "_cups" which is necessary for printer sharing to work between systems using CUPS.
BrowseLocalProtocols all
BrowseLocalProtocols dnssd
BrowseLocalProtocols none: Specifies which protocols to use for local printer sharing. The default is "dnssd" on systems that support Bonjour and "none" otherwise.
BrowseWebIF Yes
BrowseWebIF No: Specifies whether the CUPS web interface is advertised. The default is "No".
Browsing Yes
Browsing No: Specifies whether shared printers are advertised. The default is "No".
DefaultAuthType Basic: Specifies the default type of authentication to use. The default is "Basic".
DefaultEncryption Never
DefaultEncryption IfRequested
DefaultEncryption Required: Specifies whether encryption will be used for authenticated requests. The default is "Required".
DefaultLanguage locale: Specifies the default language to use for text and web content. The default is "en".
DefaultPaperSize Auto
DefaultPaperSize None
DefaultPaperSize sizename: Specifies the default paper size for new print queues. "Auto" uses a locale-specific default, while "None" specifies there is no default paper size. Specific size names are typically "Letter" or "A4". The default is "Auto". Note: The default paper size must use a size name from the PPD file and not a PWG self-describing media size name.
DefaultPolicy policy-name: Specifies the default access policy to use. The default access policy is "default".
DefaultShared Yes
DefaultShared No: Specifies whether local printers are shared by default. The default is "Yes".
DirtyCleanInterval seconds: Specifies the delay for updating of configuration and state files. A value of 0 causes the update to happen as soon as possible, typically within a few milliseconds. The default value is "30".
DNSSDHostNamehostname.example.com: Specifies the fully-qualified domain name for the server that is used for Bonjour sharing. The default is typically the server's ".local" hostname.
ErrorPolicy abort-job: Specifies that a failed print job should be aborted (discarded) unless otherwise specified for the printer.
ErrorPolicy retry-current-job: Specifies that a failed print job should be retried immediately unless otherwise specified for the printer.
ErrorPolicy retry-job: Specifies that a failed print job should be retried at a later time unless otherwise specified for the printer.
ErrorPolicy stop-printer: Specifies that a failed print job should stop the printer unless otherwise specified for the printer. The 'stop-printer' error policy is the default.
FilterLimit limit: Specifies the maximum cost of filters that are run concurrently, which can be used to minimize disk, memory, and CPU resource problems. A limit of 0 disables filter limiting. An average print to a non-PostScript printer needs a filter limit of about 200. A PostScript printer needs about half that (100). Setting the limit below these thresholds will effectively limit the scheduler to printing a single job at any time. The default limit is "0".
FilterNice nice-value: Specifies the scheduling priority ( nice(8) value) of filters that are run to print a job. The nice value ranges from 0, the highest priority, to 19, the lowest priority. The default is 0.
HostNameLookups On
HostNameLookups Off
HostNameLookups Double: Specifies whether to do reverse lookups on connecting clients. The "Double" setting causes cupsd(8) to verify that the hostname resolved from the address matches one of the addresses returned for that hostname. Double lookups also prevent clients with unregistered addresses from connecting to your server. The default is "Off" to avoid the potential server performance problems with hostname lookups. Only set this option to "On" or "Double" if absolutely required.
IdleExitTimeout seconds: Specifies the length of time to wait before shutting down due to inactivity. The default is "60" seconds. Note: Only applicable when cupsd(8) is run on-demand (e.g., with -l).
JobKillDelay seconds: Specifies the number of seconds to wait before killing the filters and backend associated with a canceled or held job. The default is "30".
JobRetryInterval seconds: Specifies the interval between retries of jobs in seconds. This is typically used for fax queues but can also be used with normal print queues whose error policy is "retry-job" or "retry-current-job". The default is "30".
JobRetryLimit count: Specifies the number of retries that are done for jobs. This is typically used for fax queues but can also be used with normal print queues whose error policy is "retry-job" or "retry-current-job". The default is "5".
KeepAlive Yes
KeepAlive No: Specifies whether to support HTTP keep-alive connections. The default is "Yes".
<Limit operation ...> ... </Limit>: Specifies the IPP operations that are being limited inside a Policy section. IPP operation names are listed below in the section "IPP OPERATION NAMES".
<Limit method ...> ... </Limit>
<LimitExcept method ...> ... </LimitExcept>: Specifies the HTTP methods that are being limited inside a Location section. HTTP method names are listed below in the section "HTTP METHOD NAMES".
LimitRequestBody size: Specifies the maximum size of print files, IPP requests, and HTML form data. The default is "0" which disables the limit check.
Listen ipv4-address:port
Listen [ipv6-address]:port
Listen *:port
Listen /path/to/domain/socket: Listens to the specified address and port or domain socket path for connections. Multiple Listen directives can be provided to listen on multiple addresses. The Listen directive is similar to the Port directive but allows you to restrict access to specific interfaces or networks. Note: "Listen *:port" and "Port port" effectively listen on all IP addresses, so you cannot combine them with Listen directives for explicit IPv4 or IPv6 addresses on the same port.
<Location /path> ... </Location>: Specifies access control for the named location. Paths are documented below in the section "LOCATION PATHS".
LogDebugHistory number: Specifies the number of debugging messages that are retained for logging if an error occurs in a print job. Debug messages are logged regardless of the LogLevel setting.
LogLevel none
LogLevel emerg
LogLevel alert
LogLevel crit
LogLevel error
LogLevel warn
LogLevel notice
LogLevel info
LogLevel debug
LogLevel debug2: Specifies the level of logging for the ErrorLog file. The value "none" stops all logging while "debug2" logs everything. The default is "warn".
LogTimeFormat standard
LogTimeFormat usecs: Specifies the format of the date and time in the log files. The value "standard" is the default and logs whole seconds while "usecs" logs microseconds.
MaxClients number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous clients that are allowed by the scheduler. The default is "100".
MaxClientsPerHost number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous clients that are allowed from a single address. The default is the MaxClients value.
MaxCopies number: Specifies the maximum number of copies that a user can print of each job. The default is "9999".
MaxHoldTime seconds: Specifies the maximum time a job may remain in the "indefinite" hold state before it is canceled. The default is "0" which disables cancellation of held jobs.
MaxJobs number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous jobs that are allowed. Set to "0" to allow an unlimited number of jobs. The default is "500".
MaxJobsPerPrinter number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous jobs that are allowed per printer. The default is "0" which allows up to MaxJobs jobs per printer.
MaxJobsPerUser number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous jobs that are allowed per user. The default is "0" which allows up to MaxJobs jobs per user.
MaxJobTime seconds: Specifies the maximum time a job may take to print before it is canceled. Set to "0" to disable cancellation of "stuck" jobs. The default is "10800" (3 hours).
MaxLogSize size: Specifies the maximum size of the log files before they are rotated. The value "0" disables log rotation. The default is "1048576" (1MB).
MaxSubscriptions number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous event subscriptions that are allowed. Set to "0" to allow an unlimited number of subscriptions. The default is "100".
MaxSubscriptionsPerJob number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous event subscriptions that are allowed per job. The default is "0" which allows up to MaxSubscriptions subscriptions per job.
MaxSubscriptionsPerPrinter number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous event subscriptions that are allowed per printer. The default is "0" which allows up to MaxSubscriptions subscriptions per printer.
MaxSubscriptionsPerUser number: Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous event subscriptions that are allowed per user. The default is "0" which allows up to MaxSubscriptions subscriptions per user.
MultipleOperationTimeout seconds: Specifies the maximum amount of time to allow between files in a multiple file print job. The default is "900" (15 minutes).
<Policy name> ... </Policy>: Specifies access control for the named policy.
Port number: Listens to the specified port number for connections.
PreserveJobFiles Yes
PreserveJobFiles No
PreserveJobFiles seconds: Specifies whether job files (documents) are preserved after a job is printed. If a numeric value is specified, job files are preserved for the indicated number of seconds after printing. The default is "86400" (preserve 1 day).
PreserveJobHistory Yes
PreserveJobHistory No
PreserveJobHistory seconds: Specifies whether the job history is preserved after a job is printed. If a numeric value is specified, the job history is preserved for the indicated number of seconds after printing. If "Yes", the job history is preserved until the MaxJobs limit is reached. The default is "Yes".
ReadyPaperSizes sizename[,...]: Specifies a list of potential paper sizes that are reported as "ready" (loaded). The actual list will only contain sizes that each printer supports. The default is "Letter,Legal,Tabloid,4x6,Env10" when the default paper size is "Letter" and "A3,A4,A5,A6,EnvDL" otherwise. Note: Paper sizes must use the size names from the PPD file and not PWG self-describing media size names.
ReloadTimeout seconds: Specifies the amount of time to wait for job completion before restarting the scheduler. The default is "30".
ServerAdmin email-address: Specifies the email address of the server administrator. The default value is "root@ServerName".
ServerAlias hostname [ ... hostname ]
ServerAlias *: The ServerAlias directive is used for HTTP Host header validation when clients connect to the scheduler from external interfaces. Using the special name "*" can expose your system to known browser-based DNS rebinding attacks, even when accessing sites through a firewall. If the auto-discovery of alternate names does not work, we recommend listing each alternate name with a ServerAlias directive instead of using "*".
ServerName hostname: Specifies the fully-qualified hostname of the server. The default is the value reported by the hostname(1) command.
ServerTokens None
ServerTokens ProductOnly
ServerTokens Major
ServerTokens Minor
ServerTokens Minimal
ServerTokens OS
ServerTokens Full: Specifies what information is included in the Server header of HTTP responses. "None" disables the Server header. "ProductOnly" reports "CUPS". "Major" reports "CUPS/major IPP/2". "Minor" reports "CUPS/major.minor IPP/2.1". "Minimal" reports "CUPS/major.minor.patch IPP/2.1". "OS" reports "CUPS/major.minor.path (osname osversion) IPP/2.1". "Full" reports "CUPS/major.minor.path (osname osversion; architecture) IPP/2.1". The default is "Minimal".
SSLListen ipv4-address:port
SSLListen [ipv6-address]:port
SSLListen *:port: Listens on the specified address and port for encrypted connections.

SSLOptions [AllowDH] [AllowRC4] [AllowSSL3] [DenyCBC] [DenyTLS1.0] [MaxTLS1.0] [MaxTLS1.1] [MaxTLS1.2] [MaxTLS1.3] [MinTLS1.0] [MinTLS1.1] [MinTLS1.2] [MinTLS1.3]
SSLOptions None: Sets encryption options (only in /etc/cups/client.conf). By default, CUPS only supports encryption using TLS v1.0 or higher using known secure cipher suites. Security is reduced when Allow options are used. Security is enhanced when Deny options are used. The AllowDH option enables cipher suites using plain Diffie-Hellman key negotiation (not supported on systems using GNU TLS). The AllowRC4 option enables the 128-bit RC4 cipher suites, which are required for some older clients. The AllowSSL3 option enables SSL v3.0, which is required for some older clients that do not support TLS v1.0. The DenyCBC option disables all CBC cipher suites. The DenyTLS1.0 option disables TLS v1.0 support - this sets the minimum protocol version to TLS v1.1. The MinTLS options set the minimum TLS version to support. The MaxTLS options set the maximum TLS version to support. Not all operating systems support TLS 1.3 at this time.
SSLPort port: Listens on the specified port for encrypted connections.
StrictConformance Yes
StrictConformance No: Specifies whether the scheduler requires clients to strictly adhere to the IPP specifications. The default is "No".
Timeout seconds: Specifies the HTTP request timeout. The default is "900" (15 minutes).
WebInterface yes
WebInterface no: Specifies whether the web interface is enabled. The default is "No".

Http Method Names

The following HTTP methods are supported by cupsd(8):

GET: Used by a client to download icons and other printer resources and to access the CUPS web interface.
HEAD: Used by a client to get the type, size, and modification date of resources.
OPTIONS: Used by a client to establish a secure (SSL/TLS) connection.
POST: Used by a client to submit IPP requests and HTML forms from the CUPS web interface.
PUT: Used by a client to upload configuration files.

Ipp Operation Names

The following IPP operations are supported by cupsd(8):

CUPS-Accept-Jobs: Allows a printer to accept new jobs.
CUPS-Add-Modify-Class: Adds or modifies a printer class.
CUPS-Add-Modify-Printer: Adds or modifies a printer.
CUPS-Authenticate-Job: Releases a job that is held for authentication.
CUPS-Delete-Class: Deletes a printer class.
CUPS-Delete-Printer: Deletes a printer.
CUPS-Get-Classes: Gets a list of printer classes.
CUPS-Get-Default: Gets the server default printer or printer class.
CUPS-Get-Devices: Gets a list of devices that are currently available.
CUPS-Get-Document: Gets a document file for a job.
CUPS-Get-PPD: Gets a PPD file.
CUPS-Get-PPDs: Gets a list of installed PPD files.
CUPS-Get-Printers: Gets a list of printers.
CUPS-Move-Job: Moves a job.
CUPS-Reject-Jobs: Prevents a printer from accepting new jobs.
CUPS-Set-Default: Sets the server default printer or printer class.
Cancel-Job: Cancels a job.
Cancel-Jobs: Cancels one or more jobs.
Cancel-My-Jobs: Cancels one or more jobs creates by a user.
Cancel-Subscription: Cancels a subscription.
Close-Job: Closes a job that is waiting for more documents.
Create-Job: Creates a new job with no documents.
Create-Job-Subscriptions: Creates a subscription for job events.
Create-Printer-Subscriptions: Creates a subscription for printer events.
Get-Job-Attributes: Gets information about a job.
Get-Jobs: Gets a list of jobs.
Get-Notifications: Gets a list of event notifications for a subscription.
Get-Printer-Attributes: Gets information about a printer or printer class.
Get-Subscription-Attributes: Gets information about a subscription.
Get-Subscriptions: Gets a list of subscriptions.
Hold-Job: Holds a job from printing.
Hold-New-Jobs: Holds all new jobs from printing.
Pause-Printer: Stops processing of jobs by a printer or printer class.
Pause-Printer-After-Current-Job: Stops processing of jobs by a printer or printer class after the current job is finished.
Print-Job: Creates a new job with a single document.
Purge-Jobs: Cancels one or more jobs and deletes the job history.
Release-Held-New-Jobs: Allows previously held jobs to print.
Release-Job: Allows a job to print.
Renew-Subscription: Renews a subscription.
Restart-Job: Reprints a job, if possible.
Send-Document: Adds a document to a job.
Set-Job-Attributes: Changes job information.
Set-Printer-Attributes: Changes printer or printer class information.
Validate-Job: Validates options for a new job.

Location Paths

The following paths are commonly used when configuring cupsd(8):

/: The path for all get operations (get-printers, get-jobs, etc.)
/admin: The path for all administration operations (add-printer, delete-printer, start-printer, etc.)
/admin/conf: The path for access to the CUPS configuration files (cupsd.conf, client.conf, etc.)
/admin/log: The path for access to the CUPS log files (access_log, error_log, page_log)
/classes: The path for all printer classes
/classes/name: The resource for the named printer class
/jobs: The path for all jobs (hold-job, release-job, etc.)
/jobs/id: The path for the specified job
/printers: The path for all printers
/printers/name: The path for the named printer
/printers/name.png: The icon file path for the named printer
/printers/name.ppd: The PPD file path for the named printer

Directives Valid Within Location And Limit Sections

The following directives may be placed inside Location and Limit sections in the cupsd.conf file:

Allow all
Allow none
Allow host.domain.com
Allow *.domain.com
Allow ipv4-address
Allow ipv4-address/netmask
Allow ipv4-address/mm
Allow [ipv6-address]
Allow [ipv6-address]/mm
Allow @IF(name)
Allow @LOCAL: Allows access from the named hosts, domains, addresses, or interfaces. The @IF(name) form uses the current subnets configured for the named interface. The @LOCAL form uses the current subnets configured for all interfaces that are not point-to-point, for example Ethernet and Wi-Fi interfaces are used but DSL and VPN interfaces are not. The Order directive controls whether Allow lines are evaluated before or after Deny lines.
AuthType None
AuthType Basic
AuthType Default: Specifies the type of authentication required. The value "Default" corresponds to the DefaultAuthType value.
Deny all
Deny none
Deny host.domain.com
Deny *.domain.com
Deny ipv4-address
Deny ipv4-address/netmask
Deny ipv4-address/mm
Deny [ipv6-address]
Deny [ipv6-address]/mm
Deny @IF(name)
Deny @LOCAL: Denies access from the named hosts, domains, addresses, or interfaces. The @IF(name) form uses the current subnets configured for the named interface. The @LOCAL form uses the current subnets configured for all interfaces that are not point-to-point, for example Ethernet and Wi-Fi interfaces are used but DSL and VPN interfaces are not. The Order directive controls whether Deny lines are evaluated before or after Allow lines.
Encryption IfRequested
Encryption Never
Encryption Required: Specifies the level of encryption that is required for a particular location. The default value is "IfRequested".
Order allow,deny: Specifies that access is denied by default. Allow lines are then processed followed by Deny lines to determine whether a client may access a particular resource.
Order deny,allow: Specifies that access is allowed by default. Deny lines are then processed followed by Allow lines to determine whether a client may access a particular resource.
Require group group-name [ group-name ... ]: Specifies that an authenticated user must be a member of one of the named groups.
Require user {user-name|@group-name} ...: Specifies that an authenticated user must match one of the named users or be a member of one of the named groups. The group name "@SYSTEM" corresponds to the list of groups defined by the SystemGroup directive in the cups-files.conf(5) file. The group name "@OWNER" corresponds to the owner of the resource, for example the person that submitted a print job. Note: The 'root' user is not special and must be granted privileges like any other user account.
Require valid-user: Specifies that any authenticated user is acceptable.
Satisfy all: Specifies that all Allow, AuthType, Deny, Order, and Require conditions must be satisfied to allow access.
Satisfy any: Specifies that any a client may access a resource if either the authentication (AuthType/Require) or address (Allow/Deny/Order) conditions are satisfied. For example, this can be used to require authentication only for remote accesses.

Directives Valid Within Policy Sections

The following directives may be placed inside Policy sections in the cupsd.conf file:

JobPrivateAccess all
JobPrivateAccess default
JobPrivateAccess {user|@group|@ACL|@OWNER|@SYSTEM} ...: Specifies an access list for a job's private values. The "default" access list is "@OWNER @SYSTEM". "@ACL" maps to the printer's requesting-user-name-allowed or requesting-user-name-denied values. "@OWNER" maps to the job's owner. "@SYSTEM" maps to the groups listed for the SystemGroup directive in the cups-files.conf(5) file.
JobPrivateValues all
JobPrivateValues default
JobPrivateValues none
JobPrivateValues attribute-name [ ... attribute-name ]: Specifies the list of job values to make private. The "default" values are "job-name", "job-originating-host-name", "job-originating-user-name", and "phone".
SubscriptionPrivateAccess all
SubscriptionPrivateAccess default
SubscriptionPrivateAccess {user|@group|@ACL|@OWNER|@SYSTEM} ...: Specifies an access list for a subscription's private values. The "default" access list is "@OWNER @SYSTEM". "@ACL" maps to the printer's requesting-user-name-allowed or requesting-user-name-denied values. "@OWNER" maps to the job's owner. "@SYSTEM" maps to the groups listed for the SystemGroup directive in the cups-files.conf(5) file.
SubscriptionPrivateValues all
SubscriptionPrivateValues default
SubscriptionPrivateValues none
SubscriptionPrivateValues attribute-name [ ... attribute-name ]: Specifies the list of subscription values to make private. The "default" values are "notify-events", "notify-pull-method", "notify-recipient-uri", "notify-subscriber-user-name", and "notify-user-data".

Deprecated Directives

The following directives are deprecated and will be removed in a future release of CUPS:

AuthType Negotiate

Specifies Kerberos authentication is required.

Classification banner

Specifies the security classification of the server. Any valid banner name can be used, including "classified", "confidential", "secret", "topsecret", and "unclassified", or the banner can be omitted to disable secure printing functions. The default is no classification banner.

ClassifyOverride Yes

ClassifyOverride No

Specifies whether users may override the classification (cover page) of individual print jobs using the "job-sheets" option. The default is "No".

DefaultAuthType Negotiate

Specifies that Kerberos authentication is required by default.

GSSServiceName name

Specifies the service name when using Kerberos authentication. The default service name is "http."

PageLogFormat format-string

Specifies the format of PageLog lines. Sequences beginning with percent (%) characters are replaced with the corresponding information, while all other characters are copied literally. The following percent sequences are recognized:

    "%%" inserts a single percent character.
    "%{name}" inserts the value of the specified IPP attribute.
    "%C" inserts the number of copies for the current page.
    "%P" inserts the current page number.
    "%T" inserts the current date and time in common log format.
    "%j" inserts the job ID.
    "%p" inserts the printer name.
    "%u" inserts the username.

The default is the empty string, which disables page logging. The string "%p %u %j %T %P %C %{job-billing} %{job-originating-host-name} %{job-name} %{media} %{sides}" creates a page log with the standard items. Use "%{job-impressions-completed}" to insert the number of pages (sides) that were printed, or "%{job-media-sheets-completed}" to insert the number of sheets that were printed.

Notes

File, directory, and user configuration directives that used to be allowed in the cupsd.conf file are now stored in the cups-files.conf(5) file instead in order to prevent certain types of privilege escalation attacks.

The scheduler MUST be restarted manually after making changes to the cupsd.conf file. On Linux this is typically done using the systemctl(8) command, while on macOS the launchctl(8) command is used instead.

The @LOCAL macro name can be confusing since the system running cupsd often belongs to a different set of subnets from its clients.

Conforming To

The cupsd.conf file format is based on the Apache HTTP Server configuration file format.

Examples

Log everything with a maximum log file size of 32 megabytes:

    AccessLogLevel all
    LogLevel debug2
    MaxLogSize 32m

Require authentication for accesses from outside the 10. network:

    <Location />
    Order allow,deny
    Allow from 10./8
    AuthType Basic
    Require valid-user
    Satisfy any
    </Location>