Overview
Godex Linux and macOS drivers are based on CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System), a modular printing system for Unix and Unix-like operating systems. CUPS allows a computer to act as a print server, accepting print jobs, processing them, and sending them to the appropriate printer.
CUPS consists of a print spooler and scheduler, a filter system to convert print data, and a backend system to send data to the printer. More information about CUPS can be found at https://www.cups.org/.
This guide describes the standard installation of the Godex printer driver in a Linux environment. For advanced installation, refer to documents provided with the driver in rastertoezpl-1.1.2/doc and CUPS documentation.
Driver Download
The latest version of the Godex Linux/MAC driver can be found on the Godex International official website under Downloads -> Driver.
Please download the appropriate driver for your operating system.
Image of Godex download page with driver options highlighted (CUPS Printer Driver V1.15 for Ubuntu OS only, and CUPS Printer Driver V1.1.2 for all Linux systems)
Driver Install
1. Launch Terminal and Navigate
Launch a terminal on your Linux machine and change the directory to where you saved the downloaded file:
e.g. cd /home/marius/Desktop/
2. Extract the Archive
Type the following command in the terminal to extract the archive (for newer versions the file name might be different, please pay attention to that):
tar -xzf rastertoezpl-1.1.2.tar.gz
3. Configure the Driver
Change the directory to the extracted archive folder and run the configure command:
cd /home/marius/Desktop/rastertoezpl-1.1.2/
./configure
4. Compile the Driver
Send the command:
make
5. Install the Driver
If your system supports "sudo", use the following command. Otherwise, run "make install" as the root user.
sudo make install
Adding Godex Printer to CUPS
After compiling and installing the filter and PPD files, you need to add a new printer to CUPS. The default CUPS administration interface is at http://localhost:631. Some distributions may use other software for CUPS administration.
1. Open CUPS Web Interface
Open your web browser and enter http://localhost:631 in the address bar.
2. Navigate to Administration
Select "Administration" and then "Add Printer".
Adding USB Connected Printer:
1. Select Local Printer
If your printer is connected via USB, it will appear under "Local Printers". Please select it.
2. Modify Names (Optional)
Make modifications to the printer names if needed.
3. Add Printer
In case of a USB connection, the model should be suggested automatically. Select "Add Printer".
4. Set Default Options
After adding the printer, the "Set default options" window will open, allowing you to set the default printer settings.
Adding TCP/IP Connected Printer:
1. Select AppSocket/HP JetDirect
If you are using an IP connection, select "AppSocket/HP JetDirect". Other protocols may not perform stably.
2. Enter Printer IP/Hostname
Input the IP or hostname of the printer in the "Connection" field. Add /?waiteof=false to the end of the address to eliminate a 5-second timeout that some CUPS distributions have between labels.
Example: socket://192.168.1.4/?waiteof=false
3. Enter Printer Name(s)
Enter the name(s) of the printer in the relevant fields.
4. Select Make: Godex
Select "Godex" as the manufacturer and click "Add Printer".
5. Select Printer Model
Select the appropriate printer model and click "Add Printer".
6. Set Default Options
After adding the printer, the "Set default options" window will open, where you can set the default printer settings.
Adding Godex to USB Quirks File (for CUPS 1.6.4 and higher)
In CUPS 1.6.4 and higher, you can optimize USB communication with Godex printers by adding parameters unidir and no-reattach to the USB Quirks directory. The easiest way is to create a file: /usr/share/cups/usb/godex.usb-quirks with the following content:
# All Godex devices
0x195F unidir no-reattachMore information about the usb-quirks file can be found in the original file located at: /usr/share/cups/usb/org.cups.usb-quirks.
Alternatively, for USB connections, you can send the command ^XSET,USBSPEED,0 to the printer via GoDoctor from a Windows PC or through the web interface to configure the USB interface for use on a Linux system.
Troubleshooting (Common Issues)
1. "checking for cups-config... no" error message
If you receive the error "checking for cups-config... no" and "configure: error: This program is required!" after running ./configure, it means that the "cups-config" program is not installed on your system.
This program is often found in development packages. Please install it using a command and package name compliant with your Linux distribution. [cite: 32] On Ubuntu, you can install it with the following command: [cite: 33]
sudo apt install libcups2-dev
2. Printer irresponsive when sending print jobs
If nothing is printed when you send a print job, ensure that AppArmor (Linux kernel security module) is not blocking the newly installed filter. [cite: 35] For testing purposes, you can disable it. The following commands are for Ubuntu; they might differ for other distributions: [cite: 35]
-
Check profiles:
sudo cat /sys/kernel/security/apparmor/profiles
-
Disable cupsd profile:
sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.cupsd /etc/apparmor.d/disable
sudo apparmor_parser -R /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.cupsd -
Check AppArmor status:
sudo aa-status
Note: Correct configuration of AppArmor is the responsibility of the System Administrator and is not explained in this manual.