Print Server Driver Installation Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In enterprise environments with numerous devices and printers, users face challenges in accessing printers without administrative privileges, leading to increased administrative burden and the need for multiple print servers to manage print jobs efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A user-terminal based system that allows users to select and install printer drivers without administrative login, using a printer selection interface to communicate with a print server for a driver package, and creating an installation scenario file to directly access the printer, reducing reliance on print servers and automating the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users require administrative login to install printer drivers, then network security is maintained, but user convenience and installation speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print server as an intermediary between users and printers. The print server handles driver installation and printer management, allowing users to access printers without direct administrative privileges on their terminals. The system administrator maintains control through the print server while users gain convenient access to printing services.
2Reliability
If administrators manually install drivers for each user, then system control is maintained, but administrative workload and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service driver installation through the print server. When a user selects a printer, the print server automatically retrieves and installs the appropriate driver from its repository, creating installation scenario files and configuring ports without administrator intervention. This automates the previously manual process while maintaining centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The print server pre-stores driver packages and installation configurations in its repository before users need them. This preliminary preparation allows instant driver deployment when users select printers, eliminating the need for administrators to manually prepare and distribute drivers on demand.
3Productivity
If multiple print servers are deployed to handle numerous print jobs, then print job processing capacity increases, but system complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the print server's capabilities to handle multiple functions: storing driver repositories, processing print jobs, automatically installing drivers, managing ports, and configuring printers. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized servers into a single versatile system.
Data Source
AI summary
Tools (such as systems, apparatuses, methodologies, executable computer program, etc.) are provided to facilitate installation of a device drivers on a user terminal by user selection of a target peripheral device, without any other required action by the user and without administrative login by the user on the user terminal.