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Print Server

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

A print server is a computer that shares printers on a network. Client computers connect to the print server to print to its shared printers.

Managed Entities

The following is a list of the managed entities that are included in this managed entity:

Name Description

Print Queue

A print queue is a representation of a print device (physical printer) in Microsoft Windows. Opening a print queue displays active print jobs and their status.

Print Spooler Service

Each print server has a single print spooler service, which manages all the print jobs and print queues on that server.

Print Server Failover Cluster

A cluster is a group of independent computers that work together to increase the availability of print services or other services. If one of the clustered servers fails, another server begins to provide service, a process known as failover.

Printer Driver

To print to a physical print device (a printer), each print queue requires a printer driver.

Network Printer Ports

Network printer ports are what the printer driver uses to communicate with the physical device across a network. These ports may be standard TCP/IP printer ports, Line Printer Remote (LPR) ports, or other kinds of ports.

Printing Infrastructure