This section coversthe basic installation of PaperCut ChargeBack onto a network print server. Complex installations, suc h as configuring multiple print servers on a domain, or automated deployment of c lient tools, are covered in Chapter 10.A basic to intermediate knowledge of Windowsnetwork is expected.

It is assumed that this is your first installation of PaperCut on your network, and as such, the server you choose for the installation will be the designated PaperCut Primary Server.

If you only have one print server on your network, then this will be by default, the primary server.

Configuring the Network

For accurate track ing of print jobs, PaperCut requires network clients to be configured to use a Windowsprint s erver.PaperCut will be installed on this print server.If your network currently us es a Windows NT / Windows 2000 server or workstation as a print server, then chances are, no modifications will be required.

The steps in configuring a network are as follows:

  1.Connect (or Capture) all network printers on a Windows NT or Windows 2000 print server.

  2.Share the added printers.

  3.Configure network clients to print to the shared printers on the print server.

This configuration will ensure all clients print via a Windows Print Server.Clients should NOT be configured to print directly to the printers.

Printing via a Windows Print Server allows PaperCut to intercept print jobs and gather the jobs' statistics accordingly.Using a printer server as an intermediate step between network c lients and printers offers other advantages, including centralized queue management and increased load capacity.

A Primary Domain Controller can be used as a print server, although we recommended that a separate NT/2000 machine be configured for this job.

Connecting printers to the print server

Printers may be connected to the print serv er via the Parallel Port(s), on remote computers, or network connected.Network connected printers may be either a printer with a built-in network card (eg. HP JetDirect) or a Parallel Port Printer interfaced to the network with a "Print Server Box"(eg. Netgear PrintServer).An old, or little used computer can also be used as a network interface for a parallel printer, although this isless suitable as it is more prone to locking up due to us er interaction.For further information on connecting networkprinters to your print server, consult the Windows help or your hardware documentation.TCP/IP network ed printers such as HP JetDirect are recommended.

Sharing printers on the print server

The printers on the print server should now be shared with appropriate names.To share a printer:

  1.Right Click on the printer icon and select Sharing

  2. Select Shared and assign an appropriate name.

Configuring Network Clients

A printer can be configured on your network clients simply by adding a new network printer.

  1. Open the Printers folder in the Control Panel.

  2. Double-clickon Add Printer.

  3. Select Network Printer.

  4. Click on Browse - and locate a shared printer on your print server.

  5.The appropriate drivers will be downloaded and the printer installed.