Novell iPrint utilizes the NDPS® infrastructure, while improving the user's print experience. The Novell implementation of the Internet Printing Protocol comprises three components:
A print provider and a set of browser plug-ins that are installed on a user's workstation. The Novell ClientTM is not required.
The IPPSRVR.NLM runs on a NetWare® server. When an NDPS printer is configured as an IPP printer, the print services manager automatically loads this NLMTM on the server.
A set of HTML pages are provided to install the iPrint client software and printers as well as to view and manage print jobs. These pages are customizable. For more information, see Customizing iPrint .
After setting up iPrint for your network, the system easily expands to support the following scenarios.
Scenario 1: Printing across the Internet
John is an employee working at home who wants to send a document to a printer at his office. John does not remember how to dial into the company's network, but he has access to the Internet.
After the administrator has set up iPrint, he will need to enable a port on his firewall to allow access to the company's intranet from the Internet. For security, the administrator should enable port 443, which uses SSL. Port 443 requires users to authenticate using their eDirectory username and password. If a user does not have an eDirectory account, then the administrator can use the unsecured port 631.
John points his Web browser to the URL, http://server_IP_address_ or_DNS_name:443/ipp.
From the Web page, John selects the printer to install. The iPrint client is automatically downloaded and installed on the computer. The printer driver is also downloaded and the printer installed in the workstation's Printer folder.
From any application on his home computer, John can now print to the company's printer.
Scenario 2: Mobile Users
Gail is visiting her company's branch office in Dallas, Texas. She needs to print a presentation for an upcoming meeting. Outside of the office she is using is a printer, but she does not know the printer's name, eDirectory context, make, model, or required print driver. Gail has used iPrint in a different branch office and she knows that a link to iPrint is available from the company's intranet Web page.
Gail connects her laptop to the company network, clicks the iPrint link on the company's intranet Web page, and then clicks a link for the branch office she is visiting. A map of the branch office and iPrint printers displays.
Gail locates the office she is using and clicks the printer icon just outside the office door.
The print driver is dowloaded and a printer is created in the user's Printer folder. She didn't need to install the iPrint client software again because she had used iPrint previously at a different branch office.
From her presentation application, Gail prints her presentation for the upcoming meeting.
Scenario 3: Printing Instead of Faxing
Dan has just returned to his hotel room in Chicago after visiting with some clients. While checking his email, he is reminded that he needs to submit a color report to his boss in the corporate office in New York. The report is due by 8 a.m.Although he could send the report by fax, he wants a high-quality printout in color and he does not want to incur additional telephone charges.
Using his Web browser, Dan accesses the Internet and logs in to the company's intranet. Using the iPrint map pages, he locates an iPrint color printer adjacent to his boss' office.
After downloading and installing the print driver, Dan uses his application to send the report to the printer.
Dan returns to the iPrint Web page and clicks the printer again to display printer management options. He monitors the printer job list to see that his print job is completed.
Finally, Dan sends an e-mail to his boss telling him that the report is available at the printer.
