Introduction to Introduction to Computer NetworksComputer Networks

Managing a Shared PrinterManaging a Shared Printer

This lesson focuses on how to manage a This lesson focuses on how to manage a shared printer. shared printer.

Managing a Shared PrinterManaging a Shared Printer

• After a printer has been shared to the network, it After a printer has been shared to the network, it needs to be managed and maintained. needs to be managed and maintained.

• Printer management tasks encompass two Printer management tasks encompass two areas of responsibility: areas of responsibility:

• 1. Maintenance of the printer itself 1. Maintenance of the printer itself

• 2. Management of the users who access the 2. Management of the users who access the printer printer

Printer SetupPrinter Setup

• Printers connect either directly to a Printers connect either directly to a computer's printer port or to the network computer's printer port or to the network through a network port device.through a network port device.

• A network port is much like a stand-alone A network port is much like a stand-alone network interface card. One interface network interface card. One interface connects to the network, and the other connects to the network, and the other interface connects to the printer. interface connects to the printer.

• When properly configured, the network port When properly configured, the network port becomes another shared resource on the becomes another shared resource on the network. Configuring such devices is the network. Configuring such devices is the administrator's responsibility. administrator's responsibility.

Printer MaintenancePrinter Maintenance• Maintenance tasks include: Maintenance tasks include:

• 1. Supplying the printer with paper and toner. 1. Supplying the printer with paper and toner.

• 2. Clearing the printer if there is a paper 2. Clearing the printer if there is a paper jam. jam.

• 3. Monitoring the printer's output to ensure 3. Monitoring the printer's output to ensure that print jobs do not back up and overflow that print jobs do not back up and overflow the printer's output bin. the printer's output bin.

• 4. Routinely cleaning the printer in accordance 4. Routinely cleaning the printer in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. with the manufacturer's instructions.

Managing UsersManaging Users• The printer is like any other shared resource. The printer is like any other shared resource.

Users must not only be given permission to use it, Users must not only be given permission to use it, they must also be assigned a level of permission.they must also be assigned a level of permission.

• Users can manipulate print jobs on shared printers.Users can manipulate print jobs on shared printers.

• With the appropriate privileges, users can move With the appropriate privileges, users can move their print jobs ahead of other users' print jobs in their print jobs ahead of other users' print jobs in the print queue or delete another user's print job.the print queue or delete another user's print job.

• The administrator determines which users will The administrator determines which users will have which privileges. NOS provide utilities have which privileges. NOS provide utilities that the administrator can use to implement that the administrator can use to implement appropriate printing permissions.appropriate printing permissions.

Managing the Printer Managing the Printer RemotelyRemotely

• the administrator does not have to be seated at the the administrator does not have to be seated at the print server in order to manage a network printer. print server in order to manage a network printer.

• Most current NOSs offer utilities that Most current NOSs offer utilities that administrator can use to manage a printer from administrator can use to manage a printer from any computer on the network. any computer on the network.

Managing the Printer Remotely Managing the Printer Remotely (2)(2)

• From a remote computer, an administrator can:From a remote computer, an administrator can:

• Pause the printer to stop it from printing. Pause the printer to stop it from printing.

• Delete jobs from the print queue. Delete jobs from the print queue.

• Reorder the jobs in the print queue. Reorder the jobs in the print queue.