cupsd.conf(5)

NAME
cupsd.conf - server configuration file for cups

DESCRIPTION
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 "300".

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". The default is "300".

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". 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] [NoSystem]

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. The NoSystem option disables applying system cryptographic policy. 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>

SEE ALSO
classes.conf(5), cups-files.conf(5), cupsd(8), mime.convs(5), mime.types(5), printers.conf(5), subscriptions.conf(5), CUPS Online Help (http://localhost:631/help)

COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2020-2025 by OpenPrinting.