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Lab's Distributed Printing System to Be Updated and Streamlined for Easier Use

The Laboratory is beginning an extensive project to update and streamline the use of networked printers on site. Once completed, the effort will make printing faster and easier, as well as improve system monitoring for maintenance and repairs.

The LBNL Printing Modernization Project by the Computing Infrastructure Support Department will combine the Lab's three separate and distinct printing systems -- one each for PC, Macintosh and UNIX computers -- into a single system. Instead of going through Novell, IPX or AppleTalk to find a printer on the network, employees will choose any printer by its IP (Internet Protocol) address.

To accomplish this, each of the more than 500 network-connected printers in the distributed printing system will be "visited" by a member of the Lab's Mac/PC Support Group. Each printer will be checked to make sure that its internal code is up to date and will also have a permanent static IP address assigned to the machine. Some of the older LaserWriter printers are too old to upgrade and will need to be replaced. Fewer than 15 percent of the Lab's printers fall into this category.

There will be no charge to users for the upgrade.

The project came about as a result of Y2K preparations. While the distributed printing system was found to be Y2K compliant, the audit did find that some printers' printing systems were using "ancient" internal software which could no longer be maintained by the Lab. The modernization project will ensure that all printers are using current software and can be accessed through a single system.

• Improved overall speed and reliability of printing; and
  
• Better support and diagnostic tools.

For more information, click here.