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Network Printing
In
client-server networks, network printing is normally handled
by a print server, a small box with at least two connectors:
one for a printer, and another that attaches directly to the
network cabling. Some print servers have more than two
ports--they may, for example, support 2, 3, or 4 printers
simultaneously.
When a user sends a print job, it travels over the network
cabling to the file server where it is stored. When the
print server senses that the job is waiting, it moves it
from the file server to its attached printer. When the job
is finished, the print server returns a result message to
the file server, indicating that the process is complete.
Print
Servers are available for both client-server and
peer-to-peer networks. They're incredibly convenient because
they let you put a printer anywhere along your network even
if there isn't a computer nearby.
However, users often opt not to use a print-server with
their peer-to-peer network. Why? Because every computer's
resources are available to everyone on the network, Sally
can print a job on John's printer--just as if Sally had a
printer attached to her computer.
Remote
access allows users to dial into their home networks from
anywhere in the world. Once a connection has been
established over ordinary phone lines by modem, users can
access any programs or data on the network just as if they
were seated at one of its local workstations. Some remote
access servers only provide access to a file server's disk
drives.
Others can provide access to both the file server and direct
access to any PC's hard disk on the network. This saves time
because it allows a remote user to communicate directly with
any network user without having to go through the file
server.
Modem
sharing lets local network users dial out from their
individual network computers to access the Internet,
bulletin boards, America On-Line, and more. After firing up
their favorite communications software, local users
establish a link with the remote-node server over the
network, which opens up an outgoing telephone line.
Users' individual PCs don't need modems, which is a big
money saver--only a single modem & phone line are required
for tens or hundreds of users. In the case of peer-to-peer
networks, by contrast, every PC requires its own modem for
access to the outside world.
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