We've always used a server, which could very easily be a VM, if you have the environment for it, installed the printers to that, and have the users connect through the server. Could use 08R2 if you want, but then you're dealing with 64 bit drivers, and needing to get the 32 bit drivers installed/working for your users. I'd suggest maybe 08 - 32 bit (not R2), or even W2k3. Either would work fine.
As far as monitoring, I've never tried that, so let us know if you come up with anything, and if so, what you end up using. Joe >>> "John Aldrich" <[email protected]> 5/3/2010 11:02 AM >>> Sorry, we're doing it like you have been, with the exception that we don't let just *anybody* print to the color printers (color pages cost more! :-)) I'd be interested to hear what you end up doing, as it might be interesting to be able to break down the cost of our "maintenance" on each printer by department. :-) -----Original Message----- From: Kennedy, Jim [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 1:49 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Print Server suggestions I hate to toss such a generic question out there but I have zero experience in this area. We are putting up a new building this summer, replacing our larges which would be the High School. We have always just used network attached printers and let the users run free. Less hassle for us but probably not the most cost effective way to do it. So I am thinking 2008 R2 print server and some sort of usage monitoring software. Any ideas on suggested software to monitor all of this, or any ideas on a better design? ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
