How to Set Up a Print Server

Computers are great in sharing and managing resources. For equipment and software that can be shared by a number of users, setting up a network to connect all users to the printer is essential and saves the business or users a lot of cash. A print server offers these benefits to users. Print servers usually encompass the installation of a printer and any relevant software on one computer referred to as the print server. Once this is done, the printer and relevant computer software do not need to be installed on to all the computers in the server. It is important to also note that the server can be connected to a variety of printers on the network as well. 

Setting up a print server is a request that often received by IT support professionals. To set up a print server you need to begin by finding out the versions of the operating systems of all the computers on the network. This is because; the operating systems have to be factored in to the configuration settings of the printer. The two main options are “All Windows Clients” and “Windows 2000 and Windows CP clients only”. This provides permission for the computers to use the print server.  

The next step is to configure the print server by using a set up wizard. When using the set up wizard you will be prompted to enter a name for the printer. This is if you do not wish to use the default printer name usually displayed at this point. This is mainly to help you manage the printer individually especially if there are other printers on the server.

You will also need to create a name that will be seen by other users on the network using the print server. This is referred to as the share name. This will help users distinguish different printers when sending out printing tasks.

To configure the print server and have it working, go to the Star button and then Control Panel. From here open Printers and Other Hardware and then Printers and Faxes. Look for the newly added printer and right click on it. Open Properties and then go to the Sharing tab.  Look for the Network Start-Up Wizard and click on it. Follow the prompts to complete the set up process. From this point onwards you can enjoy the services of your newly set up print server.

Now users on the network can print their work by locating the printer’s share name and then sending their tasks through for printing.