Print Server Freeware

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giveITback

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Hi All,

I've scoured the net and cannot find any print server software that is free. I did find one called "print queue manager", but it does not show the computer name of the sender of a print job. I think its a limitation of the software and have contacted the developer. I couldn't find any alternatives and am quite desperate now.

I am setting up a laser printer in a classroom which is going to be shared of 1 "server" PC. All I want is a program that intercepts the print request and displays it on the server. The teacher then can either allow or reject the print job.

There are paid versions available, but they are priced from 100USD to 500USD! Thats alot. This is a special needs school and it was hard enough getting a sponsr for the printer in the first place.


Any ideas?

Regards,
JOnathan
 
More details as to the setup of the classroom. Are you running Active Directory etc. By the sounds of it you don't. Also would be nice to know how many Client PC's there are, which OS is being run etc. We can try figure something out with that.
 
Sorry for a late reply guys. System is Windows 7 Starter. 20 Clients and 1 "Server". The "Server" is also a starter machine.

@Ramaz, Ive used that program. It works well but on the print log, does not show the PC name of the computer sending the job. Initial thought where reverse DNS issues. I contacted the developer who suspected the same. But all manner of tests proved that Name Resolution was not an issue.

After two late (very late) nights, I discovered that if I installed the program on a computer that has started a homegroup (Win7 Proprietry BS), and then connect clients to this homegroup and watch the print queue, the PC names appear.

This leads to beleive that the issue is do with permissions. The workaround obviously, is that I simply create a homegroup on the network.

The PROBLEM is that the only OS on site is Win 7 starter and Win 7 starter cannot start a homegroup. (Test machine used to start a homegroup was my own.) So without upgrading Windows (which there is no budget for), I am stuck. Monitoring the print queue via IP is just wrong! Especially on a wireless system (because the implication is that I would have to change to static wireless...ewe!).

So anyway, thats where I am right now. Win7 starter doesnt even have the right tools for me to try and fiddle with the guest permissions so that I could try to resolve the issue.

And the whole reason for this post is because besides the program ramaz mentioned, there are literally no freeware alternatives. None! There are a few which claim to be print queue monitors, but they dont really work. i.e. They dont allow a user to allow or reject individual print jobs, or they dont show enough information to tell where the job is coming from.

Im gonna try to get an ulitmate/pro license sponsored. Rectron has ultimate for aprrox 1600 ex VAT.

Thanks for your replies so far.
 
This is where Linux can help you out. Is the server a standalone server, or is it the teachers machine. Because that can will affect the way you create your solution. Standalone machine means you can setup all the services you need, easily, without too much hassle. If it is the teachers machine, then you can do the whole job with a VM.

Basically install Linux (Ubuntu is easy to use), and configure DNS and DHCP from the server.

If it is a standalone machine then CUPS will be installed and the printer already shared. You then just need to research a bit and get the print queue configuration sorted. Pykota is a print queue management software designed for Linux. This allows you to control every aspect of the printing process.

Samba is also an alternative to just get the workgroup up and running for you, if that is all you need to sort out the problem. Load VM, load Ubuntu, configure Samba to be master browser of whatever workgroup you want, then join the other clients to workgroup. Problem solved. Minimize VM on "server" and carry on working. Only expense is downloading Ubuntu and Samba files, and then your time to configure.
 
PS, you haven't stated where you are based, because maybe someone on the forum who is local might be able to help you out.
 
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