How does the server authenticate a print user?

Question

I don't fully understand how my XServe authenticates my clients for print access. If the XServe user account differs from the account on the client machine, does it still work? For example, if server account John Smith is allowed to print to a queue, will it still work if the client machine account is Johnny Smith?
How does the XServe get the authentication info?

Answer 1

Hi
I might be able to shed some light on this. Is the printer you are managing a networked printer on the same IP address range as server and clients?
If thats the case then you can print to the printer directly and bypass the server’s print server anyway. You have to use different methods if you really want to lock the printer down and have users print to it by using the accounts specified in WorkGroup Manager – and by implication using either PasswordServer or Kerberos authentication.
You can do this a number of ways. If your server has two ethernet ports – which yours has – then place the printer on the other ethernet port that is currently not in use. There is no way for any of your clients to access this printer other than through the Server. If you have more than one networked printer, again utilise the other ethernet port, this time attach a small switch/hub 5-8 ports (depending on how printers you have) to the port and work it the same way.
Hope this helps.