Print Server Job List Synchronization After Reboot
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print server systems face issues with accurately reproducing job progress status after a server shutdown, leading to potential loss of data and increased resource requirements for backup servers, which can result in inaccurate job information and increased network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A print server apparatus that includes a holding unit for storing job lists with progress status, a change unit to discard incomplete jobs upon shutdown, an acquisition unit to retrieve job lists upon reboot, and an update unit to synchronize the stored job list with the retrieved information, ensuring accurate job status reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated server is used to manage job information and status, then job management reliability is improved, but system cost and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The printer is enabled to autonomously manage and store its own job list information in internal storage units, eliminating the need for a dedicated external server. The printer performs self-service by automatically receiving job information from clients, storing it locally, and managing job status without requiring continuous external server intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the printing device and the job management server simultaneously. By integrating server functionality into the printer, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated server hardware, reducing overall system resource requirements while maintaining reliable job management.
2Reliability
If job information is copied to a backup server, then server failure tolerance is improved, but network traffic and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The printer proactively stores complete job information in its internal storage units before any potential server failure occurs. By maintaining local copies of job lists and status information in advance, the system ensures that no information loss occurs during failures, eliminating the need for post-failure information recovery through network traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The critical job management data is extracted from the external server environment and stored directly within the printer's internal storage. This extraction of essential information to the local device eliminates dependency on external backup servers and network communication for data preservation.
3Reliability
If a backup server is introduced to handle server shutdown scenarios, then system availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup server functionality is merged with the printer itself. The printer integrates both printing operations and job management capabilities, including fault tolerance features, into a single device. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate backup server hardware and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer provides self-service backup capabilities by maintaining its own job information in internal storage. The device autonomously manages its own data persistence and recovery without requiring external backup infrastructure, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining availability.
4Reliability
If job information is stored in temporary storage during shutdown, then data persistence is improved, but data accuracy after reboot deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation and confirmation of job information before storing it in temporary storage during shutdown. By verifying data integrity and accuracy prior to storage, the system ensures that job status information remains precise and reliable even after reboot, preventing accuracy deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to verify and update job information stored in temporary storage. After reboot, the printer checks the stored job list against current printer status and updates any discrepancies, ensuring that job status accuracy is maintained through continuous verification and correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A print server apparatus to communicate with a printer includes a holding unit, a change unit, a storing unit, an acquisition unit, and an update unit. The holding unit stores a job list including a plurality of print job data pieces. In response to a shutdown instruction being received, the change unit discards print job data whose status of issuance processing is in issuance, instructs the printer to cancel the print job, and discards print job data whose status of issuance processing is in issuance wait. The storing unit stores the changed job list as a first job list. The acquisition unit acquires from the printer, a job list including a plurality of print job data pieces as a second job list in response to the print server apparatus being rebooted. The update unit updates the stored first job list based on the acquired second job list.