The central server also communicates to and controls the remote print stations to varying degrees. The print stations usually hold the print jobs in a local print queue and sends the job to the printer when the job is released. Some solutions are designed for network printers, so connecting a printer directly to the print station could be done but isn't designed into the product. We prefer the direct connection because it eliminates students connecting a laptop to the printer and printing for free. Popup dialog box requests information to allow user to identify print job in print queue.
Print job is sent from local workstation to print station in same room.
The print station adds print job to print queue and the job is held. Print station sends a copy of the print job to the print server. Print server runs print job through page counting program to estimate number of pages in the print job. Print server sends number of pages to print station. User selects their print job from the list and requests job be printed.