Print Server on Windows XP Pro

[volxlov]

How many users can I have accessing a print server with Windows XP running as the operating system?

Currently I have 30 users connecting to the print server. I have about 6-8 printers being served by this system. During the day a few workstations will lose connection to the print server. If they check the print/fax status in control panels, all printers hosted on this partular server reads "Unable to connect". This is happening randomly throughout the office. One moment they can connect and then later inthe day they receive the "Unable to connect" error.

Any ideas or advice?

 

[Brazen]

10 concurrent connections are allowed. If you cannot afford to purchase Windows Server, I suggest looking into Samba as a print server.

In fact, I would suggest Samba anyway, but some people are unnecessarily scared of linux-stuff.

 

[RebateMonger]

You are way beyond what Windows XP Pro was created for. Move your printer shares to a Server OS of some sort. If you don't have a Server OS, then you really ought to consider one, to simply management of your accounts, security, file sharing, and backups.

 

[volxlov]

Thanks. If I wanted to run Windows Small Business Server as my print server would I need to purchase licenses for all 30 users just to print to the machine?

Our old file server was running NT4. Now I have all my files serving from an Infrant NAS and authenticating from a domain server running the NT4 OS. I was planning on ditching the NT4 OS since its not supported anymore and go with something else. I've been toying with Linux for the past 6 months and trying to get used to working with Samba. I'm still not comfortable yet to go full blown Samba but eventually thats where I want to be.

 

[Brazen]

It will be much easier to migrate to a Samba PDC from NT 4 than it will from SBS. You could also use your NT4 server as a print server, not that I recommend it. And yes, you will have to purchase CALs for every machine you want to access the server.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: volxlov
Thanks. If I wanted to run Windows Small Business Server as my print server would I need to purchase licenses for all 30 users just to print to the machine?

You need licenses for everyone who connects to the SBS Server. But, hopefully, you won't just use it as a Print Server!

SBS licenses (beyond the initial five) are about $80 per user. That's $20 per year per user, if you assume a four-year life for the Server. With that, you get automated backups, instant recall of accidentally deleted or overwritten files, server monitoring, update control over the client PCs, file sharing, full password control, full remote access, and a Exchange Server with shared contacts, calendars, etc.