Most network printers come bundled with software for managing printers from across the network. Some applications simply check the status of the printer to see if it's on-line, out of paper, or busy. Most include some sort of configuration capability. But some applications go further. Below are some notable features of the software we tested.
PrintWatch.
Dataproducts' PrintWatch for Windows can monitor the print server and its status via TCP/IP, as well as configure the printer. Although it's more difficult to configure and install than some other utilities, it's easy to use once you set it up.
JetAdmin and JetPrint.
Hewlett-Packard's JetAdmin provides configuration capabilities and printer-status information for users and administrators.
Easy to use and install, JetAdmin comes with all HP JetDirect interfaces, including versions for DOS and Windows. From JetAdmin, an administrator has the ability to lock the printer's physical control panel. It also allows you to see what jobs are active on all queues. JetPrint configures both the print server and queue and maintains status information on the printer.
Printset.
Kyocera's Printset utility for Windows creates a Novell Print Server and provides TCP/IP and AppleTalk configuration information. Printset also keeps track of the printer's status, but the status information is not as detailed as it is with many of the other utilities.
MarkVision.
LexMark's
MarkVision for Windows
uses bidirectional communications to maintain, configure, and track the printer's status. A graphical representation of the printer's control panel and a detailed printer-status window let you know what's going on. The utility is a little confusing to install,
but it's easy to use.
CrownAdmin.
QMS's CrownAdmin for Windows and the Mac manages and configures QMS network printers. It searches out the printers by address and allows on-line configuration, but without any TSRs. CrownAdmin does not create your Novell Print Server for you, but it provides the name and printer descriptions in the NetWare configuration-menu item. It's easy to install and use.
Document Services for Printing (DSP) and XRXADMIN.
Xerox offers two network-printer-management utilities for DOS. The DSP management/utility software installs easily and sports an easy-to-use interface. It helps you select a "best-fit" printer, depending on your output needs. DSP can track the status of multiple printers on the network as well as install the Novell PSERVER for you. The only downside: two TSRs for the printer-status application and terminal emulation.
XRXADMIN is easy to install and use and doesn't require a TSR. However, it seems to be designed more for pr
inter configuration and management than for keeping tabs on printer status. The Xerox NICPRINT.EXE utility finds the printer for you and creates a PSERVER. However, it didn't run reliably under Windows as a DOS session.
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Network-Printer-Management Software
