COMP3122 COMP3122 Network ManagementNetwork Management

Richard HensonRichard Henson

March 2011March 2011

Week 7 – Managing Week 7 – Managing Network PrintingNetwork Printing

ObjectivesObjectives– Identify all possibilities for allowing a printer Identify all possibilities for allowing a printer

to be used by network usersto be used by network users– Explain how a print queue and spooler Explain how a print queue and spooler

workwork– Manage user needs in terms of printing Manage user needs in terms of printing

prioritiespriorities

Whole Session on Printers?Whole Session on Printers? Until you come to manage a network, Until you come to manage a network,

the amount of time spent on printer the amount of time spent on printer related problems will not be related problems will not be appreciated:appreciated:– so much can go wrong…so much can go wrong…– and frequently does!and frequently does!

Good news for network administrators…Good news for network administrators…– printer control and troubleshooting software is printer control and troubleshooting software is

much improved…much improved…– and people print less…and people print less…

Printer TopologiesPrinter Topologies

A printer can be attached to a network A printer can be attached to a network in a number of ways:in a number of ways:– as a standalone network deviceas a standalone network device

» needs its own network cardneeds its own network card

– connected to a user workstation which can connected to a user workstation which can allow network access via a shareallow network access via a share

– connected directly to a network server, connected directly to a network server, which provides the print serviceswhich provides the print services

Local PrintingLocal Printing A network user may have their own computer A network user may have their own computer

and printerand printer– the print device will be connected via a local port the print device will be connected via a local port

e.g. LPT1 or USBe.g. LPT1 or USB– stills need to be configured on that machine for stills need to be configured on that machine for

local printinglocal printing

Installation and configuration is best left to the Installation and configuration is best left to the wizard (if there is one…)wizard (if there is one…)– however, even the wizard won’t be able to help if however, even the wizard won’t be able to help if

the driver for that printer is not available…the driver for that printer is not available…

Sharing a Local Printer using Sharing a Local Printer using UNC namesUNC names

Once a local printer is working, the user Once a local printer is working, the user may wish to make it available to other may wish to make it available to other network usersnetwork users– achieved on Microsoft networks by setting achieved on Microsoft networks by setting

up a printer shareup a printer share– the share can be made available to other the share can be made available to other

network users via a Microsoft UNC network users via a Microsoft UNC (Universal Naming Convention) pathname(Universal Naming Convention) pathname» e.g. e.g. \\printserver\printname\\printserver\printname

Limitations on Limitations on Network Printer SharingNetwork Printer Sharing

To send print data, a communications To send print data, a communications channel needs to be opened between channel needs to be opened between the sending computer and the print the sending computer and the print controlling computercontrolling computer– channel takes up resources…channel takes up resources…– and stays open?and stays open?

» in Windows printing, channels generally stay open in Windows printing, channels generally stay open for the rest of the user sessionfor the rest of the user session

» if many users print it can take a lot of bandwidthif many users print it can take a lot of bandwidth

Limitations on Limitations on Network Printer SharingNetwork Printer Sharing

Problem: Problem: – usually a limit on channels open usually a limit on channels open

simultaneously on a workstation simultaneously on a workstation (e.g. 2000 Professional – 10 users)(e.g. 2000 Professional – 10 users)

– only overcome by using server software only overcome by using server software (e.g. 2000 Server) to manage the (e.g. 2000 Server) to manage the connectionsconnections

– means making the computer connected to means making the computer connected to the printer a network serverthe printer a network server

» security implications if not managed security implications if not managed appropriately…appropriately…

Microsoft Network PrintingMicrosoft Network Printing

The component that does the printing is The component that does the printing is referred to as a referred to as a print deviceprint device

The software object on the IP address The software object on the IP address based device that controls the print based device that controls the print device is called the device is called the printerprinter

There can be several print devices There can be several print devices connected to a single printer, through connected to a single printer, through the use of different portsthe use of different ports

Mechanism for Printing IMechanism for Printing I Before a document is even sent for Before a document is even sent for

printing:printing:– the required printer driver software the required printer driver software

needs to be locatedneeds to be located– the relevant type of printing device the relevant type of printing device

needs to be identifiedneeds to be identified– the driver software needs to format the the driver software needs to format the

document for printing as a “print job”document for printing as a “print job”– the print queue (a folder) needs to be the print queue (a folder) needs to be

ready to receive the print jobready to receive the print job

Mechanism for Printing IIMechanism for Printing II

Once the formatted document arrives at the Once the formatted document arrives at the IP address of the relevant device for IP address of the relevant device for containing the software “printer”containing the software “printer”– printing priority needs to be identifiedprinting priority needs to be identified– the document needs to be put into an appropriate the document needs to be put into an appropriate

place in the print queue as a print jobplace in the print queue as a print job

A lot of print jobs creates a large queue…A lot of print jobs creates a large queue…– plenty of disk space needs to be available on that plenty of disk space needs to be available on that

hard disk drive/partitionhard disk drive/partition

Configuration of a Configuration of a Network Printer INetwork Printer I

Hardware requirements:Hardware requirements:– plenty of RAMplenty of RAM

» a lot of processes will be running concurrentlya lot of processes will be running concurrently

– plenty of hard disk spaceplenty of hard disk space» requested print jobs will need to be queuedrequested print jobs will need to be queued

Software Requirements:Software Requirements:– operating system that will support the operating system that will support the

expected volume of network printingexpected volume of network printing– the appropriate printer driver(s)the appropriate printer driver(s)

Configuration of a Configuration of a Network Printer IINetwork Printer II

Administrator privileges required…Administrator privileges required…– assuming there are sufficient LPT portsassuming there are sufficient LPT ports– several printing devices can be configured to work several printing devices can be configured to work

on the same computeron the same computer» assuming that appropriate device drivers are availableassuming that appropriate device drivers are available

Drivers also need to be installed…Drivers also need to be installed…– for each type of client operating system (e.g. XP, for each type of client operating system (e.g. XP,

Vista, 7, apple?) involved in sending print jobsVista, 7, apple?) involved in sending print jobs– need to be available to client machines when they need to be available to client machines when they

first connect to the network printerfirst connect to the network printer

Configuration of a Network-Configuration of a Network-Interface Print DeviceInterface Print Device

Avoids tying up a computer as a “printer”Avoids tying up a computer as a “printer” Two possibilities:Two possibilities:

– EITHER… the device is intelligent (e.g. HPJetDirect)EITHER… the device is intelligent (e.g. HPJetDirect)» in which case it should be automatically detectable by the NOSin which case it should be automatically detectable by the NOS

– OR… it is just a printer with network cardOR… it is just a printer with network card

In each case, an IP address needs to be allocatedIn each case, an IP address needs to be allocated– if DHCP is running on the networkif DHCP is running on the network

» printing will be managed by the DHCP serverprinting will be managed by the DHCP server

» an IP address lease can be assigned as soon as communication is an IP address lease can be assigned as soon as communication is establishedestablished

Configuration of a Network-Configuration of a Network-Interface Print DeviceInterface Print Device

As with any other network printer…As with any other network printer…– server needs to create a logical port to send print server needs to create a logical port to send print

jobs tojobs to

In this case, the port will point to the IP address In this case, the port will point to the IP address of the network connection to the printerof the network connection to the printer– assuming that the network protocol is TCP/IPassuming that the network protocol is TCP/IP– if network uses active directory, it will beif network uses active directory, it will be

» within the scope for managing printers with active directorywithin the scope for managing printers with active directory

Connecting to a Network Connecting to a Network “Printer”/Print Device“Printer”/Print Device

Each network print device also has its own UNC Each network print device also has its own UNC namename– should be stored in a database on a Domain should be stored in a database on a Domain

ControllerController– database should be accessible to any computer on the database should be accessible to any computer on the

networknetwork The local computer can use a configuration The local computer can use a configuration

wizard to link to the UNC namewizard to link to the UNC name– any required drivers should be accessed and installed any required drivers should be accessed and installed

from the print serverfrom the print server

SPOOLingSPOOLing Sequential Processing Operations OnLineSequential Processing Operations OnLine All requests for printing on a particular print All requests for printing on a particular print

device will be stored in a directory on the device will be stored in a directory on the relevant print serverrelevant print server

Generally known as a spooler:Generally known as a spooler:– once upon a time (e.g. 1960s, 70s, 80s) the print once upon a time (e.g. 1960s, 70s, 80s) the print

jobs would be “spooled” onto magnetic tapejobs would be “spooled” onto magnetic tape– would be printed at a later datewould be printed at a later date

» e.g. overnighte.g. overnight

Nowadays, the “spooler” is the folder that Nowadays, the “spooler” is the folder that holds print jobs in the print queueholds print jobs in the print queue

Setting Printing PrioritiesSetting Printing Priorities

Lowest priority = 1Lowest priority = 1 Highest priority = 99Highest priority = 99 Multiple logical printers need to be created for Multiple logical printers need to be created for

a single print devicea single print device The logical printers can then be set to have The logical printers can then be set to have

different priorities:different priorities:– different groups of users point to different logical different groups of users point to different logical

printersprinters– users send different priority documents to different users send different priority documents to different

logical printerslogical printers

Print QueuePrint Queue

Simply an ordered list of print jobsSimply an ordered list of print jobs Ordering of jobs to be serviced occurs Ordering of jobs to be serviced occurs

according to:according to:– time received by the spoolertime received by the spooler– printing priority of the user sending that printing priority of the user sending that

print jobprint job

Managing Print QueuesManaging Print Queues

W2K has automated Queue ManagementW2K has automated Queue Management– print jobs will get processed in order of priorityprint jobs will get processed in order of priority

BUT… if a high priority print job gets stuck for BUT… if a high priority print job gets stuck for some reasonsome reason– no other print job will be able to take precedenceno other print job will be able to take precedence

Manual queue management therefore needed Manual queue management therefore needed so the faulty print job can be so the faulty print job can be deleted/bypasseddeleted/bypassed

Printer Hardware FailuresPrinter Hardware Failures Many printer problems are hardware related:Many printer problems are hardware related:

– out of paperout of paper– paper jampaper jam– printer accidentally switched offprinter accidentally switched off

In each case, the print job will:In each case, the print job will:– get through to the print serverget through to the print server– be added to the queuebe added to the queue– then gets stuck in the queue!then gets stuck in the queue!

Result: could be a very long queue!Result: could be a very long queue!

Printer Queue ManagerPrinter Queue Manager Need someone who can step in and:Need someone who can step in and:

– sort out the printer hardware problemsort out the printer hardware problem– log on to the print server with sufficient status to log on to the print server with sufficient status to

manage the print queuemanage the print queue Dangerous to give Administrative access to a user!Dangerous to give Administrative access to a user! W2K has a user group called “Print Operators”W2K has a user group called “Print Operators”

– any user can be added to this groupany user can be added to this group Print Operators:Print Operators:

– HAS sufficient access to print server to manage print queuesHAS sufficient access to print server to manage print queues– DOES NOT give sufficient access to change printer settingsDOES NOT give sufficient access to change printer settings

Setting up a Printer PoolSetting up a Printer Pool

Required:Required:– one logical printer interface one logical printer interface – connected to two or more print devicesconnected to two or more print devices

Print devices can local or network-interfacePrint devices can local or network-interface Print jobs go to the first available print devicePrint jobs go to the first available print device Advantages:Advantages:

– decreases wait time on the print serverdecreases wait time on the print server– multiple print devices administered from one logical multiple print devices administered from one logical

printerprinter

Assigning Logical Assigning Logical Printer PermissionsPrinter Permissions

NOS should have:NOS should have:– a range of printer permissionsa range of printer permissions– a smaller number of permission levelsa smaller number of permission levels

e.g. Windows printing uses:e.g. Windows printing uses:– nine types of permission (!)nine types of permission (!)– three levels of permission:three levels of permission:

» PrintPrint» Manage DocumentsManage Documents» Manage PrintersManage Printers

Managing Printing Managing Printing across the Internetacross the Internet

Print jobs submitted via browserPrint jobs submitted via browser Can be used for any printer connected to the Can be used for any printer connected to the

InternetInternet– all that is needed is the URLall that is needed is the URL– or the IP addressor the IP address

With Windows printing, the web browser can With Windows printing, the web browser can be used to provide the interface to:be used to provide the interface to:– view print queuesview print queues– manage logical printersmanage logical printers

Active Directory and PrintingActive Directory and Printing

Active Directory uses IP addresses to locate Active Directory uses IP addresses to locate network devicesnetwork devices– DNS names also pinpoint network devicesDNS names also pinpoint network devices– and UNC names can identify print devices linked to and UNC names can identify print devices linked to

a “printer” computer, via its IP addressa “printer” computer, via its IP address

Printer settings of all relevant devices on the Printer settings of all relevant devices on the network can be stored in Active Directorynetwork can be stored in Active Directory– therefore AD is the most convenient way to therefore AD is the most convenient way to

manage configurations of printing devices…manage configurations of printing devices…

Group Policies and PrintingGroup Policies and Printing As previously stated, Group Policy As previously stated, Group Policy

– is one of the top reasons to deploy Active is one of the top reasons to deploy Active Directory because it allows you to manage user Directory because it allows you to manage user and computer objectsand computer objects

– is an infrastructure that allows an administrator to is an infrastructure that allows an administrator to implement specific configurations for users and implement specific configurations for users and computerscomputers

Group Policy settings are contained in Group Group Policy settings are contained in Group Policy objects (GPOs), linked to Active Policy objects (GPOs), linked to Active Directory sites, domains, or organizational Directory sites, domains, or organizational units (OUs)units (OUs)– settings are then evaluated on the target machine, settings are then evaluated on the target machine,

using the hierarchical nature of Active Directoryusing the hierarchical nature of Active Directory

Group Policy ArchitectureGroup Policy Architecture

Location of Group PoliciesLocation of Group Policies

Group policies held in templates (GPT) on Group policies held in templates (GPT) on domain controllerdomain controller

Stored in the GPC (Group Policy Container)Stored in the GPC (Group Policy Container)– found in Active Directory on each domain found in Active Directory on each domain

controller in the domaincontroller in the domain– within the /Sysvol folder within the /Sysvol folder

» in the /Policies sub-folderin the /Policies sub-folder

Accessed most easily using GPMCAccessed most easily using GPMC

Group Policy Objects Group Policy Objects and Printingand Printing

All Group Policy settings are contained in Group All Group Policy settings are contained in Group Policy objects (GPO)Policy objects (GPO)

GPOs associated via GPTs with Active Directory GPOs associated via GPTs with Active Directory containers e.g.containers e.g.– SitesSites– Organizational UnitsOrganizational Units– DomainsDomains

Most of Active Directory printer-related settings can Most of Active Directory printer-related settings can be enabled or disabled by using Group Policiesbe enabled or disabled by using Group Policies– this maximizes Active Directory’s usefulness for controlling this maximizes Active Directory’s usefulness for controlling

printing activitiesprinting activities

Active Directory & Printer Locations IActive Directory & Printer Locations I

The basic principle is that a printer’s The basic principle is that a printer’s location can be associated with a location can be associated with a particular subnetparticular subnet

Once defined in this wayOnce defined in this way– the “location” will pre-populate for the the “location” will pre-populate for the

printersprinters First step: First step:

– map out the locations…map out the locations…» a location is a string separated by / character…a location is a string separated by / character…

e.g. Europe/London/ParkLane/Accountinge.g. Europe/London/ParkLane/Accounting

Active Directory & Printer Locations IIActive Directory & Printer Locations II

Three rules for naming locations: Three rules for naming locations: – any single level cannot be more than 32 charactersany single level cannot be more than 32 characters– maximum of 256 levelsmaximum of 256 levels– maximum length of the entire location is 260 maximum length of the entire location is 260

characterscharacters Components of location names can occur in Components of location names can occur in

any orderany order– city usually at level 2 in the location name but could city usually at level 2 in the location name but could

also be level 3 e.g. NorthAmerica/Ohio/Chicagoalso be level 3 e.g. NorthAmerica/Ohio/Chicago– allows flexibility of design of location codesallows flexibility of design of location codes

Setting up Printer LocationsSetting up Printer Locations

Configuration uses active directoryConfiguration uses active directory– through “active directory sites and through “active directory sites and

services”services”» associate name with subnetassociate name with subnet

– and “active directory users and and “active directory users and computers”computers”

» pre-populate search locationpre-populate search location

Thanks for listeningThanks for listening