forward all print jobs to "master" print server

[AMI_5]

Hi, ‎
I am new in hp-ux and I have already a "big" issue I am trying to work out:‎

We have a HP-UX 11.11 server which acts as a print server with several (> 20) ‎remote and network printers configured on it (we are NOT using HP Distributed Print ‎Service). In addition, we have 3 other HP-UX 11.11 server which act as db, file ‎and application server. Now my task is to make those network and remote printer also available to the ‎other server. ‎
Now, as I see I have 3 options:‎

‎1) Declare each printer on all other server just like on the print server.‎
cons: time consuming, changes must be applied to 4 instead of only one server, not very ‎elegant

‎2) Write a script which cp and updates all configuration files on the remaining 3 ‎server.‎
cons: very fault-prone and hard to realise

‎3) Configure the 3 other server to forward all requests directly to the main print server.‎

I prefer option 3. It's the most elegant but I'm not sure if it's possible at all. Crux on the matter is that I didn't configure/install any of the server myself to know where the ‎problems are.‎


I really appreciate any help and I'm looking forward to your suggestions. ‎


Thanks

AMI

[Jonathan Fife · Accepted solution]

I would go about it by adding all the printers to one of the file/app/db servers manually as remote queues pointing to the print server queues.

Then follow the instructions in this thread to copy the queues to the remaining 2 servers: http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1049599

This way, all queue configuration changes (ie. changes to the model scripts and the like) would only have to be made on the print server, as all the others would just blindly forward requests to it and the print server would format and print them.

The only caveat with this configuration is that any network changes or printer additions/deletions have to be propagated manually to all the other servers. I don't see an easy way around this using your server model.

HTH

[Pete Randall]

I would agree with Jonathan's suggestion to add them as remote printers but I would add the caution that remote printers do not accept all the lp options, such as duplex printing (-o duplex), etc., etc., etc.

If it were me, I would add all the printers to each of the servers as network printers, using the HP Printer Installer, then use a script to maintain them. I'm attaching a script that I use. It sources a list of printers, assigns IP addresses to them and then proceeds to add them. I run this script (via nfs) on every new server to keep all my printers defined exactly the same on every machine.


Pete

[AMI_5]

Thanks for your fast replies!! Both are gold worth.

I guess I will try Pete's solution first.

Again, thanks a lot !!

AMI

[AMI_5]

Thanks four your help!