iPrint
Novell iPrint is an online service from Novell that enables users of an open enterprise server infrastructure to print to any printer from anywhere over the Internet .
Explanation
The only requirement is a web browser that shows the available printers. The desired printer can be selected via the internet page displayed in the browser and the device drivers as well as the iPrint client are automatically downloaded, installed and configured (context, address, etc.). This saves administration and communication costs, such as B. Fax connections etc.
Although iPrint is bound to NDPS , no Novell client is required, just an iPrint client.
Based on IPP
iPrint is based on the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) - an industry standard that seeks to simplify the complexity of printing over the Internet.
The IPP has the following advantages:
- It uses the internet protocol
- It supports a wide network of providers
- It works locally but also over the internet
- It supports secured connections ( SSL, TLS )
- It works on most major platforms ( Windows , NetWare , Macintosh , Linux , Unix etc.)
Benefits of iPrint
- Automatically download and install printer drivers
- Web browser-based print interface
- Changeable user interface (e.g. all printers in a company can be displayed on each floor and users can install a printer close to them)
- Safe data transfer
- eDirectory integration for secure printing
Components
iPrint consists of different components that work together (simplified representation of the most important functions):
- On the host computer ( server ):
- IPP Server: The IPP Server is the network front end of iPrint. It accepts print jobs from clients and forwards them to the print manager.
- Print Manager: For each iPrint host there is a print manager that manages the printer agents (see below). It receives print jobs from the IPP server and distributes them to the printer agents. It also regulates access rights.
- Printer Agent: For each printer there is a printer agent that supplies this printer with print jobs. It communicates with the printer through the iPrint gateway.
- iPrint Gateway: The gateway is the backend that forwards the processed print jobs to the printer.
- Driver Store: The Driver Store only comes into action when a printer is installed on a client, then it makes the corresponding driver available so that the user does not have to worry about an installation source himself.
- On the client computer, the iPrint client ensures communication between the local operating system / software and the server.
iPrint needs an NDPS infrastructure as a basis, but has its own additional components in addition to NDPS:
- Various browser plug-ins, as no Novell client is required.
- Ippsrvr.nlm - the service that runs on the server
- Websites - To install the iPrint Client and the printers and also to view and manage print jobs.
- MapDesigner to design iPrint Maps with the printers.
Web links
- Novell documentation Open Enterprise Server with chapters on iPrint