1100 Ch08: Printers

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of a hardware print server?

It connects directly to the printer via Ethernet.

It can handle multiple printers simultaneously.

It routes print jobs through a cloud service.

It communicates with the printer using a USB cable. (correct)

Which feature is essential for a dedicated print server to function effectively?

A direct connection to a USB printer.

A powerful processor for managing print jobs. (correct)

Integration with a wireless router.

Compatibility with Bonjour Printer Server.

How does Apple's Bonjour Printer Server operate once installed?

It exclusively supports wired connections.

It requires manual printer detection by the user.

It runs continuously to detect compatible printers automatically. (correct)

It is limited to only Apple devices.

What is a significant advantage of using a hardware print server over a shared printer from a user's computer?

It is always available to users regardless of computer status. Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for a dedicated print server's storage capacity?

It must capture and queue multiple print jobs efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

Which print server type is best suited for large networking environments?

Dedicated print server. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a software print server from a hardware print server?

Software print servers operate within an operating system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of a dedicated print server?

Connecting printers directly to a network for printing jobs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a benefit of using wireless printing standards?

Allowing multiple devices to connect without physical cables. Signup and view all the answers

When configuring printer sharing, what is necessary for users accessing the shared printer?

Installation of the correct printer drivers. Signup and view all the answers

What wireless standard must both the printer and devices support for Wi-Fi printing?

802.11 Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of hardware print servers compared to software print servers?

Higher costs associated with hardware maintenance. Signup and view all the answers

Which function of a print server involves managing the print job queue?

Administrate print jobs Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely to affect network printing performance?

The speed of the network connection. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a dedicated print server be necessary?

Printers do not have built-in network interfaces Signup and view all the answers

What task can an all-in-one printer perform apart from printing?

Scanning documents. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of sharing a printer from a computer?

The computer managing the printer may experience a performance slowdown Signup and view all the answers

What is a common security risk associated with printer sharing?

Cached print files that might contain sensitive information. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is typically not available in standard USB printers?

Network printing functionalities. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of wireless ad-hoc mode for printing?

Devices connect directly to the printer Signup and view all the answers

In terms of network printing performance, what happens if the computer sharing the printer is rebooted?

The printer becomes unavailable to the network users Signup and view all the answers

What setting is recommended for printing multiple copies of a multi-page document?

Collated printing. Signup and view all the answers

Which method can a computer use to connect a printer if it lacks Bluetooth capabilities?

Use a Bluetooth adapter via USB Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of a software print server?

To manage print jobs in an operating system other than Windows Signup and view all the answers

What type of connection do Bluetooth printers rely on?

Pairing between Bluetooth-enabled devices Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Print Server Software

Apple's Bonjour Printer Server is a free, built-in service in Mac OS that automatically detects compatible printers on the network.
Bonjour Printer Server can be downloaded for Windows from Apple's website.

Hardware Print Servers

A hardware print server is a device with a network card and memory that enables print sharing by connecting to the network and communicating with the printer.
Hardware print servers can be connected to the printer via USB and can be integrated into devices like wireless routers.
Apple's AirPort Extreme is a hardware print server that shares printers with any device on the network using the AirPrint service.
Hardware print servers can manage network printing through wired or wireless connections.
A hardware print server frees computers for other tasks by accepting incoming print jobs.

Dedicated Print Servers

Dedicated print servers are used in large networking environments with multiple LANs and many users.
They are more powerful than hardware print servers and can manage multiple printers at once.
Dedicated print servers require a powerful processor, adequate storage space, enough memory, user authentication methods, and data privacy measures to manage print jobs efficiently.

Wireless Printer Connections

Wireless printers use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to hosts.
Bluetooth printers require both the printer and the host device to have Bluetooth capabilities and to be paired.
Wi-Fi printers connect directly to an access point or router using the supplied software or the printer display panel.
Wireless printers support different 802.11 standards, and devices must support the same standard to connect.
Wireless printers can operate in infrastructure mode (printer connects to access point, clients connect through access point) or ad-hoc mode (clients connect directly to the printer).

Sharing a printer from a computer uses the computer's resources to manage print jobs, leading to potential performance slowdowns when the computer is used for other tasks.
The printer becomes unavailable if the computer sharing it is rebooted or powered off.

Software Print Servers

Software print servers manage print jobs using an operating system other than Windows, like Mac OS.
The printer is connected to the computer using a USB, FireWire, or parallel cable.
After connecting the printer, the computer automatically installs the correct device driver.

Printer Functions

Printer functions may include double-sided printing, using different paper trays for different sizes, changing color settings, draft printing, optical character recognition (OCR), and collated printing.
All-in-one printers offer faxing, copying, scanning, and printing functionalities.

Windows allows users to share printers with other users on the network.
Windows can automatically download the correct drivers for users connecting to the shared printer.
When sharing printers, it is important to consider data privacy and security issues, such as hard drive caching, and ensure proper security measures are in place.

Preventive Maintenance

Regular preventive maintenance ensures good quality prints and uninterrupted operation.
Read the printer documentation and follow the recommended maintenance instructions.
Use supplies listed by the manufacturer to avoid damaging the equipment or invalidating the warranty.
Consult with a manufacturer-certified technician for assistance with printer maintenance.
Wear air filter masks when servicing toner kits and cartridges.

Printer Types and Capabilities

Printers come in various types and sizes with different capabilities, speeds, and uses.
Home printers typically have low output, while commercial printers have high output.
Printers have different speeds and print quality.
Older printers use parallel cables and ports, while newer printers use USB or FireWire cables.
Newer printers often have built-in drivers that are automatically installed by the computer.
If drivers are not automatically installed, download them from the manufacturer's website or use the supplied CD.

Printer Components

Inkjet printers: Ink cartridges, print head, roller, and feeder.
Laser printers: Imaging drum, toner cartridge, fuser assembly, and rollers.
Thermal printers: Use thermal paper that becomes black when heated.

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Description

This quiz covers the essentials of print server software, including Apple's Bonjour, as well as the functions and benefits of hardware print servers. It discusses how these devices facilitate print sharing in various networking environments. Test your knowledge on dedicated print servers and their applications in large network settings.