Print server

In short: A print server manages the print jobs in a network and makes printers shareable among many users.

In more detail: Instead of each computer talking to the printer individually, all send their jobs to the print server. It collects them in a queue and passes them to the printer one after the other.

In Depth

• Forms: a small hardware device at the printer, a Windows server with the “Print Services” role, a Linux server with CUPS or the function in the router.
• Advantages: central driver management, permissions (who may print in colour or on which printer), logs of page counts and costs, jobs can be managed or deleted.
• Protocols: IPP, LPR/LPD and RAW over port 9100 (JetDirect). Modern printers are usually network-capable themselves.
• Troubleshooting: if a job is stuck, clearing the queue or restarting the print service helps.

See also: printer, server, client