What Is A Print Server?

Date First Published: 28th March 2024

Topic: Computer Networking

Subtopic: Network Services

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 5/10

CONTENTS

Examples Of Cloud Waste
Minimisation

Learn about what a print server is in this article.

A print server is a type of server that connects printers to client computers over a network. It manages print requests and makes printer queue status information available to network administrators and end users. Other functions include the ability to inspect the queue of jobs to be processed, and the ability to reorder or delete waiting print jobs.

Types Of Print Servers

The two main types of print servers are:

Wired print servers - Most have a USB port, which directly connects to the USB port of the printer, but some can connect to the Ethernet port.
Wireless print servers - These can connect to a wired network. Since most homes and businesses now have wireless networks, wireless printers have become a popular way to share a printer with multiple computers.

How Does A Print Server Work?

The software needed for a print server may be installed on a computer's operating system or be a component of a server, network device, or application. Network printing management is made possible by software on specialised PCs or network devices.

If servers are used, computers can communicate with available printers by connecting to the server via a network.
A printer can be connected to dedicated print server devices by USB, parallel, or wireless connections. Devices typically have a connection to the LAN and multiple other printers.
Print servers installed on a computer are networked with multiple printers
Printers might also have built-in print servers.

The client-server model is used by print servers. To keep control over print queues, print servers establish direct connections with network printers. When a user under an authorized client requests to print a file, the print server is what receives the request. After that, the print server handles request information, including file and print requirements. Afterwards, the request is queued and issued to a certain network printer. The files are then printed on the specified printer in the sequence they are queued.