Printronix P5000LJ user manual Approaches To Network Printing, Peer To Peer Networks

5 Approaches To Network

Printing

Overview

Configuring your network printing is based on the network protocols and host environments you already use or plan to use. It is common to find multiple network protocols co-existing in the same network.

NIC is a multi-protocol device that is able to accommodate many protocols at the same time. The actual print job order operates on a first-in/first-out basis. This means it is possible to configure your NIC using any or all of the methods listed in this manual for use at the same time. This concept is what creates the ability to use powerful printer management tools in parallel with the act of printing. The protocol for a print job and the protocol for the management tool will often be different.

These ideas are also what differentiate networks by size and network protocol use. Some common network arrangements include peer to peer networks and print job servers.

Peer To Peer Networks

Peer to peer networks can be used when you have few machines, few printers, only one network protocol, and when any host can print to the printer. A variation of this is a mini-server which “shares” its printer with the other networked computers in a single room or building. NIC improves flexibility in printer placement and setup by becoming just another “peer,” rather than dedicated to a single machine.

A common peer to peer network arrangement is comprised of Windows 95/98 with TCP/IP configured to use the netBEUI protocol to connect to the print server. A second common extension of this arrangement is to install a third party LPR PORT MONITOR on each PC and use simple TCP/IP to connect to the print server. If Windows NT is used for the peer computers, LPR is included and is easy to set up. Windows 95/98 does not have such a monitor, but many are available for free for download from the Web.

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