Distributed Client-Side Printing Bifurcates Server Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralizing print servers in enterprise settings leads to performance issues due to slow WAN links and makes it difficult to manage print jobs across geographically-separated printers, while removing print servers results in administrator requirements and potential device competition.
Innovation Solution
Distributed client-side printing systems that bifurcate printer control and job handling, allowing clients to communicate directly with printers while maintaining rendering and spooling on the client side, and using shadow jobs to synchronize with the print server, thus reducing server load and enabling centralized management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If print servers are centralized in data centers, then centralized management capability is improved, but print job transmission speed deteriorates due to slow WAN links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing system into distributed client-side printing components that can operate independently. Each client machine implements its own printing functionality, dividing the centralized print server function into multiple distributed nodes. This allows local printing operations to proceed at full speed while maintaining centralized configuration management through directory services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of operation by enabling clients to print directly to local printers without routing through the centralized print server. This creates a parallel printing path that bypasses the WAN link bottleneck, while administrative control remains centralized through Active Directory integration and driver management.
2Speed
If print servers are removed from the system, then print job transmission speed is improved, but device competition and lack of centralized management occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a spooler service running on each client machine. This local spooler acts as a mediator between the application and the printer, managing print job queuing and serialization locally. This eliminates device competition without requiring a centralized print server, while still providing coordinated control through integration with directory services.
3Speed
If clients print directly to local printers, then print job transmission speed is improved, but administrator intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal printing architecture where clients can print directly to local printers while still benefiting from centralized management capabilities. The system provides multiple functions: local print spooling, directory service integration for user authentication and printer discovery, and centralized driver management. This multi-functional approach maintains ease of administration while enabling fast local printing.
Data Source
AI summary
Various distributed client side printing methods and systems are described. In at least some embodiments, printer control and the job handling functions are bifurcated or separated by allowing jobs, drivers, settings and the like to be controlled by the print server or some other entity, while allowing clients to communicate jobs directly to a printer. The various embodiments can improve server performance by performing rendering and maintaining rendered data on the client side, and not communicating the rendered data to the server, while at the same time, allowing print servers to control the printer.