| Q. |
What is NDPS? |
| A. |
Novell Distributed Print Services™ (NDPS®) is a product built on Novell's next generation printing architecture that allows administrators to take advantage of built-in printer intelligence to centrally manage network
printing resources, improve network printing performance, and reduce the hassles of network printing for end-users. The NDPS architecture was designed in partnership with Hewlett-Packard Company and Xerox Corporation to leverage
their expertise in network printing. |
| Q. |
When and how will NDPS be available? |
| A. |
NDPS ships with NetWare 5 and NetWare 6 only. It is not available as a stand alone product. |
| Q. |
What workstation environments does NDPS support? |
| A. |
NDPS supports current NetWare® printing environments with current printing functionality intact. Windows 95/98, Me, NT4, 2K and XP workstations can take full
advantage of the NDPS features with this initial release. |
| Q. |
What version of NetWare is required to use NDPS? |
| A. |
NetWare 4.11 or higher (IntranetWare is based upon NetWare 4.11) |
| Q. |
Is NDPS software required on every server in the network? |
| A. |
No, it is not necessary for a network administrator to install NDPS on
every NetWare server. But a connection to a NetWare server with NDPS is required
to have access to the full functionality of NDPS. |
| Q. |
When installing NDPS, will the current NetWare printing environment need to be replaced immediately? |
| A. |
No, NDPS completely supports the current NetWare queue-based printing environment and thus will allow the administrator to migrate to NDPS as fast or slow as needed. |
| Q. |
What are some of the Novell Developer Print Services benefits? |
| A. |
NDPS allows the network administrator to centrally manage printing services from a single location.
Administrators create printer agents, allowing users to submit print jobs directly to printers. NDPS supports bidirectional communications. Configurable event notification includes e-mail, pop-up windows, event logs and other methods, including third-party methods, such as beepers and faxes. Events reported are limited only by a printer's capability. There is extensible framework for print devices, including snap-in interfaces. Plug-and-print option is available for installing public access printers using especially designed third-party gateways. |
| Q. |
Will the network printers need to be reinstalled or replaced when installing NDPS? |
| A. |
No. All existing printers can be used in the NDPS environment. |
| Q. |
How is a printer added to the network? |
| A. |
An NDPS printer agent is created to represent the physical device. Hewlett-Packard's gateway software may be configured to detect HP JetDirect connected printers when they are added to the network and create NDPS printer agents automatically. Xerox's gateway software utilizes a setup wizard integrated with NetWare Administrator to create printer agents. The extended features of the printers can only be accessed through vendor-supplied gateways. Novell's gateway software creates printer agents for all other printers. |
| Q. |
How will users be able to know when new printers are added into the NDPS environment? |
| A. |
With the new IntranetWare client, the user has access to NDPS client software that provides a display of currently connected printers and information about printer status, job status, and features. |
| Q. |
Is a network administrator able to monitor and control print jobs? |
| A. |
Yes, through Novell NetWare Administrator, the network administrators can receive print alerts direct from the server or through e-mail. They also can move, copy, delete, prioritize, and pause print jobs. |
| Q. |
Is a user able to monitor and control their own print jobs? |
| A. |
Yes, users can monitor and re-route print jobs via the NDPS client software. |
| Q. |
Will NDPS support printing to remote printers or printers located on
WANs? |
| A. |
Yes. Because of the advantages Novell Directory Services™ (NDS) brings to
networks, NDPS can provide full access to printer management across the whole
network, including remote printers and WANs. |
| Q. |
Does NDPS support print-job scheduling? |
| A. |
Yes, NDPS provides different scheduling capabilities such as first-in first-out
and smallest jobs first. Additional schedulers can be supplied by third parties. |
| Q. |
Will NDPS reduce the network traffic associated with SAP broadcast? |
| A. |
Absolutely. Through HP's gateway, JetDirect cards are no longer required by SAP,
which will greatly reduce network traffic. |
| Q. |
Into what languages will the NDPS software be localized? When will the
product be further localized? |
| A. |
NDPS is available in all languages supported in the NetWare product that it ships. |
|
