Advantage of using server-based print server/queue?

Hi,

Historically, I'd always set up a printers for a LAN environment to use
Windows Server print server. I've also dealt with other print servers
such as HP JetDirect, etc. But these days it's common to acquire
printers that are already network capable.

In a recent discussion with another IT manager, he questioned me: "Why
would you use the Windows Print Server (spooler) anymore? Simply set up
each workstation to point to the printer at such-and-such IP address.
You get nothing by routing the print jobs through the Windows [Server]
Server."

On the fly, I wasn't sure how to respond.

We both exist in the small business world. That is, companies with 50 -
100 employees and, say, about 10 network printers spread around the
company for employees to use. And we both manage AD environments where
standard users do not have Admin privileges on their local machines.

So my question is, what advantages are there in using a Windows
Server-based print server? I mean, what do we gain anymore?

Guy


Guy Pardoe

Hello Guy,

Have a look here:
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...t%20Server.doc

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
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> Hi,
>
> Historically, I'd always set up a printers for a LAN environment to
> use Windows Server print server. I've also dealt with other print
> servers such as HP JetDirect, etc. But these days it's common to
> acquire printers that are already network capable.
>
> In a recent discussion with another IT manager, he questioned me:
> "Why would you use the Windows Print Server (spooler) anymore? Simply
> set up each workstation to point to the printer at such-and-such IP
> address. You get nothing by routing the print jobs through the Windows
> [Server] Server."
>
> On the fly, I wasn't sure how to respond.
>
> We both exist in the small business world. That is, companies with 50
> - 100 employees and, say, about 10 network printers spread around the
> company for employees to use. And we both manage AD environments where
> standard users do not have Admin privileges on their local machines.
>
> So my question is, what advantages are there in using a Windows
> Server-based print server? I mean, what do we gain anymore?
>
> Guy
>

For Print queue management, Microsoft Active Directory printer integration
and more. this link may help.
Why do you need a print server
http://www.howtonetworking.com/print/printserver1.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Guy Pardoe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> Historically, I'd always set up a printers for a LAN environment to use
> Windows Server print server. I've also dealt with other print servers such
> as HP JetDirect, etc. But these days it's common to acquire printers that
> are already network capable.
>
> In a recent discussion with another IT manager, he questioned me: "Why
> would you use the Windows Print Server (spooler) anymore? Simply set up
> each workstation to point to the printer at such-and-such IP address. You
> get nothing by routing the print jobs through the Windows [Server]
> Server."
>
> On the fly, I wasn't sure how to respond.
>
> We both exist in the small business world. That is, companies with 50 -
> 100 employees and, say, about 10 network printers spread around the
> company for employees to use. And we both manage AD environments where
> standard users do not have Admin privileges on their local machines.
>
> So my question is, what advantages are there in using a Windows
> Server-based print server? I mean, what do we gain anymore?
>
> Guy

Guy Pardoe <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Historically, I'd always set up a printers for a LAN environment to
> use Windows Server print server. I've also dealt with other print
> servers such as HP JetDirect, etc. But these days it's common to
> acquire printers that are already network capable.
>
> In a recent discussion with another IT manager, he questioned me: "Why
> would you use the Windows Print Server (spooler) anymore? Simply
> set up each workstation to point to the printer at such-and-such IP
> address. You get nothing by routing the print jobs through the
> Windows [Server] Server."
>
> On the fly, I wasn't sure how to respond.
>
> We both exist in the small business world. That is, companies with
> 50 - 100 employees and, say, about 10 network printers spread around
> the company for employees to use. And we both manage AD environments
> where standard users do not have Admin privileges on their local
> machines.
> So my question is, what advantages are there in using a Windows
> Server-based print server? I mean, what do we gain anymore?
>
> Guy

If you change something on your network (such as IP addresses) or update
your printer driver or tray/paper assignments do you want to visit a
gazillion PCs? If you have a jammed print job don't you want it to be
centrally manageable? I do!

Hi,

I use server-based printers for printer-only devices, it is easier if you
have to change IP address or another setting, but with most of multifunction
machines (fax, scanner, etc) you need a direct TCP/IP connection between the
client computers and the device for these features to work.

ThePro

"Guy Pardoe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> So my question is, what advantages are there in using a Windows
> Server-based print server? I mean, what do we gain anymore?
>
> Guy

It's a lot easier to automate connecting users to a shared printer on a
print server than installing a printer on the client. I like to publish
printers in AD so that users can just select the one they want and connect.
Anthony,
http://www.airdesk.co.uk



"Guy Pardoe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> Historically, I'd always set up a printers for a LAN environment to use
> Windows Server print server. I've also dealt with other print servers such
> as HP JetDirect, etc. But these days it's common to acquire printers that
> are already network capable.
>
> In a recent discussion with another IT manager, he questioned me: "Why
> would you use the Windows Print Server (spooler) anymore? Simply set up
> each workstation to point to the printer at such-and-such IP address. You
> get nothing by routing the print jobs through the Windows [Server]
> Server."
>
> On the fly, I wasn't sure how to respond.
>
> We both exist in the small business world. That is, companies with 50 -
> 100 employees and, say, about 10 network printers spread around the
> company for employees to use. And we both manage AD environments where
> standard users do not have Admin privileges on their local machines.
>
> So my question is, what advantages are there in using a Windows
> Server-based print server? I mean, what do we gain anymore?
>
> Guy