All parameters of the print request are stored as job attributes. Various attributes describe all relevant information about the print job, such as job identification, job scheduling, printer selection, current job status and document production instructions. The print server supports the concept of logical and physical printers. Logical printers represent input queues of the print server. When a print request is submitted, the name of a logical printer should be specified.
Physical printers correspond to output devices controlled by the print server.
The flexible way is provided to establish and manage associations between logical and physical printers. Various types of associations are possible. For instance, one logical printer may be associated with several physical printers, thus forming a printer pool. For each job requesting that logical printer the print server selects an associated physical printer most suitable to render this job. On the other hand, a group of logical printers may be associated with the same physical printer.