1. Large Scale Parallel Print Service
European Organization for Nuclear Research
Geneva - Switzerland
Large Scale Parallel Print Service
Ivan Deloose - CERN IT Division PC
UNIX
TCPIP
Mac
Novell
Appletalk

2. Agenda Some Figures The Previous Situation Problems
Project Requirements and Implementations
Server Backend
DNS & Clustering mechanism
CERN Windows Printing Package
Unix Clients
Conclusions

3. Some Figures 1200 Printers Protocols
HP, Apple, QMS, Tektronix, Xerox…
Netports, remote, ...
Protocols
Appletalk, IPX, TCP…
5000 PCs running Windows 95 and NT
2500 Unix boxes
1700 X-terminals

4. Situation before 6/98 Novell Springer Mac PC Appletalk Appletalk
TCP/IP
IPX
Appletalk
TCP/IP
Springer
IPX
TCP/IP
Mac PC

5. Major problems Reliability poor for PC users
connections to the print server lost (mostly IPX)
Multiple servers accessing the same printer creates conflicts
Multiple queues for the same printer (UNIX, PC) makes for unpredictable time estimation
Complex job paths make problem determination difficult
Single Points of Failure
Performance issues

6. Requirements - Implementations
Support both Windows and Unix clients with single protocol
Unique RFC1179 (LPR) protocol chosen
Unify server back-end for Windows and Unix
Single server type : Standard commodity PCs running Linux
No single points of failure
Array of identical back-end servers
Scalable
DNS for dynamic naming resolution
Automated driver + printer installation on Windows clients
CERN Windows Printing Package

7. Initial proposal with intermediate NT servers

8. Final implementation: Single server architecture

9. Server back-end Array of PC servers Each server running the Linux OS
LPRng spooler
CAP V198 + DDP Linux module for Appletalk + CERN patches
Powerful set of filters for UNIX clients: papif, CTI-ifhp, qfilter… modified for integration and device support
Accounting, banner programs
Automated kickstart + SUE server installation
Configuration management

10. Server Clustering and DNS

11. Clustering: Recovery

12. CERN Windows Printing Package
Windows Client Components
Printer Management Tools
Applications
Printer Wizard
LPR Client Service
Job Information
Printer Database &
Driver Repository
UNIX queue server cluster
Network Printers

13. Package Components Central Database Single driver repository
Defines all centrally maintained network printers
List of available printer drivers, linked to printer driver repository
Single driver repository
Single entry point for all W9x, WNT4 & 2000 printer drivers (no OS installation CDs needed).
Printer Manager
Printer object creation and configuration
Add third party drivers

14. Package Components
Printer Wizard : The main application for client printer installation and configuration.
Simple drag & drop to install any centrally supported network printer
Unique version (9x,NT4-5)
Uses local DB copy + automated version update
Dynamic driver & port update from database at startup
Loads printer drivers from repository on the server

15. Package Components Job Info : Printer job information tool.
Returns status about all network and local queues & jobs
Scans ports redirected to Novell, NT & UNIX (LPQ) printer servers
Printer job handling : job(s) deletion
Includes printer setup capabilities : document default settings
Multi-threaded job scanning : UI never blocked

16. Package Components LPRSERV (LPR client Service)
Gateway between applications and UNIX print servers
Apps jobs to local file
filename = queuename
Job detected & renamed
queuename -> hostname using DNS
Job sent to UNIX server using LPR protocol
Job History
Appears as single icon during job transmission

17. Installation and Updates
Installation from
Distribution folder (network share)
FTP Server via Web page
Updates and maintenance
Program package
Automated version check and updated if needed at every logon
Manual update possible via About dialog
Local database
Automated version check and updated if needed at every startup of the Printer Wizard.
Non-availability of database server
Package runs using current program and database version
Taskbar icon indication

18. Unix print Clients From LPRng
Modified to support DNS resolution for print server addressing
-P printername => -P
Lightweight
no spooling configuration
Backwards compatibility implemented
CERN’s XPRINT adapted

19. Conclusions
Server back-end based on cheap commodity hardware and ‘Open Source’ software (LPRng)
User benefits
No specific CERN configuration required, any visitor can run it
Runs on any Windows PC having TCP/IP installed
No Netware or NT client required
Stability : runs from the local hard disc
Reliability : database server not required to run the package
Supports other preinstalled printer objects (Novell, NT)
Maintenance benefits
Same binary on W9x, NT4 and Windows 2000 (MSI package)
Centralized management for all Windows platforms
Complete package can easily deployed at other laboratories
General user satisfaction at CERN.

20. Contacts ivan.deloose@cern.ch ignacio.reguero@cern.ch
Windows Printing Package
Download and information:
Print Server backend and UNIX clients