Is there any way to optimize printing to keep issues to a minimum?

I am running a W2K3 STD SP1 Terminal Server that averages about 40-45 active sessions. The issue I have is many of my users need to print to 10-20 printers which are mapped from their local workstation. When I get a full complement of users I have hundreds of printers installed that overtime will cause the spooler to drop. Is there any way to optimize printing to keep issues to a minimum?

This is tricky, since printers are mapped on a per-user basis and Win2K3 does not allow you to selectively map printers -- it's all or nothing. One option, if all of these 10-20 printers are not required for the applications running on the Terminal Server, is to share the essential printers with the network and let the users connect through network shares. Another option is to use a third-party printer management tool for Terminal Services that allows you to control which printers are mapped, or at least restrict it to the default.

This was first published in January 2006

Join the conversationComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.
    Back to top