Patent ID: 8595384

Claim:
A system for controlling access to a printing environment comprising: a directory server coupled to a first network via a first router, wherein said first router enforces a first firewall, the directory server comprising: a memory; and a message processor configured to register identification information in a directory table in the memory; at least one client device coupled to a second network comprising a wide area network (WAN); and at least one printing device coupled to a third network comprising a local area network (LAN) via an additional router, wherein said additional router enforces at least one additional firewall, wherein the LAN is configured inside at least one additional firewall, wherein the directory server is configured outside the at least one additional firewall, wherein said at least one printing device is configured to print at least one file from said at least one client device only after receiving necessary configuration information, and wherein said LAN and said WAN network operate using non-homogeneous communication protocol; wherein the directory server message processor is configured for registering identification information that at least partially comprises availability information and configuration information; wherein said at least one client device is configured to send a discrete request to the directory server, said discrete request comprising an availability inquiry about the printing-availability of said at least one printing device; and wherein the directory server message processor is configured for processing the discrete request and issuing a discrete reply message to the at least one client device, wherein the discrete reply message comprises configuration information for the at least one client device to configure the at least one printer to print files from the at least one client device.