Central Windows Print Server

FERMI-WPRT - Central Windows Print Server

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Contents: Connect to a Printer : Finding Printers : Printer Naming Convention :

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The Computing Division maintains a Central printer queue management facility called FERMI-WPRT. This service is similar to the Central Unix facility FNPRT, but offers several enhancements. The facility was predominately designed for Windows users as the original purpose of FERMI-WPRT was to consolidate the various department level Windows print servers. Fermi-WPRT also offers additional capabilities beyond standard Windows services, so the server can also provide print queue services to Macintosh and Linux users.

The facility runs on several Windows servers incorporating Microsoft’s Clustering technology to provide a highly available central print management system. The server is part of the FERMI domain, which provides FERMI Windows users a well integrated print service leveraging the powers of Active Directory. The facility is not limited to just Windows users in the FERMI domain, because we have incorporated IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) and the LP protocol.

Why use a central Print Server?

Even though technically you can define print queue definitions directly from your workstation to most printers, there are several key advantages of going thru a central print server.

· Ease of finding printers – Instead of trying to hunt down available printers, when all the printers are defined to our central facility, this makes it easier for everyone to locate a suitable printer.

· Drivers – For the windows environment, the central print server provides the clients workstation with the appropriate driver. Using incorrect drivers can cause printers to stop processing and lockup.

· Queue Activity – You can view how many other print jobs are waiting to be printed.

· Queue ordering and printer aid – All of the printers on the central facility can be managed by our Help Desk support staff.

· Metrics – To allow us to plan for future needs, we maintain data on printer activity. This data is used in reviewing for future needs such as determining appropriate replacement systems, or where to best locate printers.

Print Queue Naming Convention

In the early days of the FNPRT (Central UNIX print server), a naming convention was established. To be consistent, the FERMI-WPRT facility also adopted these same naming conventions. The naming structure is xxxx_yyyy where ‘xxxx’ is a brief location name (IE wh7e for Wilson Hall 7^th floor East side) and ‘yyyy’ is a brief description of the printer (i.e. hp2430 for a Hewlet Packard model 2430 printer). The queue names are in lower case to provide ease for Linux clients, since the Linux OS is case sensitive with names.

Finding a Printer

Because the FERMI-WPRT server is a member of the Windows FERMI domain, all the printers are published in the Windows Active Directory (AD). If your Windows based computer is a member of the FERMI domain (which most Fermilab owned systems are), you can use AD to help find a printer. For details on how to do this, click here.

As an alternative, or if you are on a Windows machine not in the domain, or you are using a non-Windows client, you can use the web interface we have to get a list of printers. For Windows based systems, you can also use the web interface to make a connection to the desired print queue. Please click here for more details on how to use the web interface.

Configuring your system to use a print queue

Fermi-Wprt supports (3) different protocols (ways to communicate) to the printers supported by our central server. Based upon the type of OS and if your system is in the FERMI domain, there are different procedures. Please select the appropriate choice for your environment:

· Procedures for Windows systems in the FERMI domain click here.

· Procedures for Windows systems not in the FERMI domain (or guest users to the lab), please click here.

· Procedures for Macintosh users please click here.

· Procedures for Linux users (coming soon).

What to do when the printer does not work

Various conditions can cause print jobs to fail. First check to see if the Printer queue has other jobs that are in the queue. Occasionally, printers may fail because of someone’s file they are printing or hardware/network issues. For example, if you see something like the following:

If the printer you wish to use shows as ‘Error’, this could indicate a network or hardware issue on that printer. You should then check the printer for any error codes, and either report this information to your local printer support group, or contact the helpdesk. In many cases, this type a failure may need a technician to resolve, so you might want to consider using a different printer until the other printer is repaired.

Print Queue Admins and Printer Managers

For most of the printers, we have defined Print Queue Admins who can assist in managing the printer queues. By default, the CD Helpdesk is a Print Queue admin on all the printers configured under Fermi-Wprt. Print Queue admins can assist in general diagnosis, and alter the order or delete print jobs in the printer queue.

We have also defined several Print Queue Managers. Managers can also manipulate the printer queues, but they also can change key settings like the separator page or other device specific settings.

If you are a designated Print Queue Administrator, or a Print Queue Manager, please click here (coming soon) for additional support information.

I have a new Printer – How do I get it connected to the FERMI-WPRT?

If you are planning on obtaining a new printer, you are encouraged to contact your desktop support group. Printers have become more complex, and many offer network features that also can cause network security concerns. Before purchasing or replacing any printer, you should contact your desktop support team. They can help review your needs and be an aid in determining a printer that will meet your needs, and comply with computer security regulations here at Fermilab.

If you already have a printer on the network, and you would like it added to our central facility, please either consult with your desktop support group, or put in a helpdesk ticket. On the request, please specify the following:

1) Which print server(s) you wish this to be defined on (Fermi-Wprt and/or FNPRT)

2) Division/Section that owns the printer.

3) DNS name used for the static address assigned to the printer. We cannot accept DHCP configured printers, and we prefer a dns name as opposed to just the IP address. It is suggested DNS names for printers use something like xx-yyyyy where xx is the Division/Section that owns the printer, and yyyyy is the property tag or system reference number for the printer. Using a dns name with the printer’s location is usually not recommended as printers are frequently re-located.

4) Manufacturer, model and type of printer. Please be as specific as possible as many manufacturers have sub categories for different models of printers, and we want to get the most appropriate driver to suit your new printer.

5) Location of the printer (Building, floor, and if possible room number)

6) Desired name for the printer following our naming convention. The naming convention is ‘location_model’ where ‘location’ is something like ‘wh7e’ for Wilson Hall 7the floor East side, and model is a brief description of the printer (IE ‘hp2340’ for a Hewlet Packard model 2340). Please consult with your desktop support representative if you are unclear as to the proper name.

7) Separator page. By default we will define printers to have a separator page to make it easier to differentiate different user’s printout. If you do not desire this feature, please let us know. Your desktop support group can change this after the queue is created.

8) Any special consideration. In most cases, printers will be defined as standard TCP/IP printers, but in some cases they need to be defined as an LPR printer using specific port names. We also need to be informed of any special security permissions. By default, the print queue will be defined to allow anyone on-site to print to the printer.

FAQ

Q) Why are printers that perform duplex printing set by default to only print single sided?

A) After much debate, it was decided by several support groups that it is best to use the default of single sided as our standard.

1) By default, when you create a print queue, even if it is defined as duplex, the standard Microsoft installation software will default to single sided.

2) When selecting double sided print outs, you have the choice of flipping printing on either the ‘Long Edge’ or ‘Short Edge’. Each individual user may have a different preference.

3) In the near future, we are also planning on accommodating our UNIX customers that use LPR. In many cases, LPR users can not specify to print single or duplex. For Unix LPR customers, we have to create different print queues. To be consistent with FNPRT, we are making the default queue single sided.

For Windows users, once you do define a queue connection, you can change the default setting to be duplex, and then all print requests you make will be performed in duplex mode.

Q) How come when I change my default setting for a printer, the settings don’t stay?

A) In most cases if you set the printer properties thru your application (like Word or Excel), the settings are only for the duration for the session with that particular application. To make setting permanent and for all your applications, use the ‘Printer and Faxes’ GUI interface from the Control panel.

Q) Who can I call when I have problems with a printer?

A) You should check with your local desktop support group as they may have designated personnel to assist in printer issues. If you do not have a local support group, please contact our helpdesk. Please note that if this is after hours, individual printer support is not available, and your problem will be addressed the next business day. In these cases, you may have to use a different printer in your area.

Q) I’m using the 64 bit version of (XP or Windows Vista). Can I use Fermi-wprt?

A) By default, we do not automatically install the 64bit version of print drivers. In some cases, the vendor does not supply 64bit versions for their printers. If there is a set of printers you wish to use, and the 64bit version is not already installed, simply put in a service desk request. If we can locate the driver, we will install it on the server.

Q) I tried using IPP, but I cannot connect to the printer?

A) The IPP interface is provided by Microsoft as a free add-on, but the product does not come with standard support. Because of the way some vendors code their drivers, Microsoft cannot guarantee that the IPP software they provide will work with all printers. We have run across a small subset of printers that do not work, and we continue to work with the vendors to get updated drivers that will work under the IPP protocol.

last modified 4-20-2009 email helpdesk@fnal.gov