I favor the SNMP method also, but there are some nuances which you don't mention.
An aesthetic objection: as with SMTP, there is _nothing_ "simple" about SNMP. Go to the bookstore and measure the thickness of the books. :-)
For some printers, the hrDeviceStatus and hrPrinterStatus variables alone are not sufficient to determine when it is safe to read the page counter.
The prtMarkerLifeCount variable usually (but not always) counts "sheets" (or "impressions * 2") rather than "impressions". This makes it difficult to deal intelligently with duplex printing.
As I understand the situation, RFC1759 is a "proposed standard" rather than a "standard", and is implemented to varying degrees by different manufacturers.
All printer manufacturers I know of implement their own "enterprise" MIBs for their printers in addition to an RFC1759 MIB.
SNMP V2 is somewhat lacking in security.
SNMP V3 is more secure, but is too complex for human beings.
In spite of all this, I still think that your conclusions are correct and that SNMP is the best solution.
-Rick
-- |Rick Cochran phone: 607-255-7618| |Cornell CIT - Systems & Operations - Net-Print FAX: 607-255-8521| |730 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]|
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