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Network
Printing
- (February - 2009)
In
client-server networks, network printing is normally handled by
a print server, a small box with at least two connectors: one
for a printer, and another that attaches directly to the network
cabling. Some print servers have more than two ports--they may,
for example, support 2, 3, or 4 printers simultaneously.
When a user
sends a print job, it travels over the network cabling to the
file server where it is stored. When the print server senses
that the job is waiting, it moves it from the file server to its
attached printer. When the job is finished, the print server
returns a result message to the file server, indicating that the
process is complete.
Print
Servers are available for both client-server and peer-to-peer
networks. They're incredibly convenient because they let you put
a printer anywhere along your network even if there isn't a
computer nearby.
However, users often opt not to use a print-server with their
peer-to-peer network. Why? Because every computer's resources
are available to everyone on the network, Sally can print a job
on John's printer--just as if Sally had a printer attached to
her computer.
Remote
access allows users to dial into their home networks from
anywhere in the world. Once a connection has been established
over ordinary phone lines by modem, users can access any
programs or data on the network just as if they were seated at
one of its local workstations. Some remote access servers only
provide access to a file server's disk drives.
Others can provide access to both the file server and direct
access to any PC's hard disk on the network. This saves time
because it allows a remote user to communicate directly with any
network user without having to go through the file server.
Modem
sharing lets local network users dial out from their individual
network computers to access the Internet, bulletin boards,
America On-Line, and more. After firing up their favorite
communications software, local users establish a link with the
remote-node server over the network, which opens up an outgoing
telephone line.
Users' individual PCs don't need modems, which is a big money
saver--only a single modem & phone line are required for tens or
hundreds of users. In the case of peer-to-peer networks, by
contrast, every PC requires its own modem for access to the
outside world.
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