Cups Server

CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) is a modular printing system for Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS. It is used to manage print jobs and printers. CUPS allows a computer to act as a print server, where client machines can connect to print documents.

Key Features of CUPS:

1. Printer Management: Supports a wide range of printers, including local and network printers.
2. Driver Support: Provides drivers for many printers, including PostScript and non-PostScript models.
3. Web Interface: Offers a web-based interface to manage printers and print jobs (accessible by default at http://localhost:631).
4. Protocols: Uses Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) for managing print jobs and queues.
5. Cross-Platform: Works on various operating systems like Linux, macOS, and others.
6. Filters: Converts data into a format understood by the printer using filters.
7. Authentication and Security: Supports user authentication for print job management and can encrypt data transmissions.

Integration With Odoo

There are multiple ways to setup cups with odoo server, depending on the business needs. Cups server can be on the same server as odoo or in a dedicated server either on the cloud or on premises. the important part of the integration is the network setup. Odoo, cups and printer must be able to talk to each other. 

Option A: Odoo and Cups both in the cloud

Advantage 

• You do not have to maintain another device in local network.

Disadvantage 

• We will need to open port per printer. Managing port forwarding router will be challenging 

Option B: Odoo in the cloud and Cups server in local Network

Advantage 

• User does not need to open additional ports.

Disadvantage 

• User has to maintain another server on the premises. 
  

Option C: Using Bista inhouse Printing module

This module is feasible if client does not have a static ip. The server will keep checking odoo server if there is a new job. It will fetch the job and send it to the printer using cups library.