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Streamlining Large Scale Printing at CERN: The Experience and Implementation of a New Printing Service

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20 diapositives · 342 Views · Nov 02, 2014

This document presents the implementation of a Large Scale Parallel Print Service at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Authored by Ivan Deloose, David Foster, and Ignacio Reguero, it details challenges from the previous print infrastructure, emphasizing reliability issues and complex job paths. The solution involved a unified server architecture using Linux and the LPR protocol, enhancing scalability and user experience. Key features include automated driver installation, a centralized printer database, and improved job information tracking for UNIX and Windows clients, ensuring stability and ease of use across 5000 PCs.

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  1. European Organization for Nuclear Research Geneva - Switzerland Large Scale Parallel Print ServiceIvan Deloose – David Foster – Ignacio Reguero CHEP 2000 – 8 February 2000 – Padova (I) Presented byIvan Deloose - CERN IT Division PC UNIX TCPIP Mac Novell Appletalk

  2. Agenda • Some Figures • The Previous Situation • Problems • Project Requirements and Implementations • Server Backend • DNS & Clustering mechanism • CERN Windows Printing Package • Unix Clients • Conclusions

  3. Some Figures • 1200 Printers • HP, Apple, QMS, Tektronix, Xerox… • Netports, remote, ... • Protocols • Appletalk, IPX, TCP… • 5000 PCs running Windows 95 and NT • 2500 Unix boxes • 1700 X-terminals

  4. Situation before 6/98 Novell Appletalk Appletalk TCP/IP IPX Appletalk TCP/IP Springer IPX TCP/IP Mac PC

  5. Major problems • Reliability poor for PC users • connections to the print server lost (mostly IPX) • Multiple servers accessing the same printer creates conflicts • Multiple queues for the same printer (UNIX, PC) makes for unpredictable time estimation • Complex job paths make problem determination difficult • Single Points of Failure • Performance issues

  6. Requirements - Implementations • Support both Windows and Unix clients with single protocol • Unique RFC1179 (LPR) protocol chosen • Unify server back-end for Windows and Unix • Single server type : Standard commodity PCs running Linux • No single points of failure • Array of identical back-end servers • Scalable • DNS for dynamic naming resolution • Automated driver + printer installation on Windows clients • CERN Windows Printing Package

  7. Initial proposal withintermediate NT servers

  8. Final implementation:Single server architecture

  9. Server back-end • Array of PC servers • Each server running the Linux OS • LPRng spooler • CAP V198 + DDP Linux module for Appletalk + CERN patches • Powerful set of filters for UNIX clients: papif, CTI-ifhp, qfilter… modified for integration and device support • Accounting, banner programs • Automated kickstart + SUE server installation • Configuration management

  10. Server Clustering and DNS

  11. Clustering: Recovery

  12. CERN Windows Printing Package Windows Client Components Printer Management Tools Applications Printer Wizard LPR Client Service Job Information Printer Database & Driver Repository UNIX queue server cluster Network Printers

  13. Package Components • Central Database • Defines all centrally maintained network printers • List of available printer drivers, linked to printer driver repository • Single driver repository • Single entry point for all W9x, WNT4 & 2000printer drivers (no OS installation CDs needed). • Printer Manager • Printer object creation andconfiguration • Add third party drivers

  14. Package Components • Printer Wizard : The main application for client printer installation and configuration. • Simple drag & drop to installany centrally supportednetwork printer • Unique version (9x,NT4-5) • Uses local DB copy + automated version update • Dynamic driver & port updatefrom database at startup • Loads printer drivers fromrepository on the server

  15. Package Components • Job Info : Printer job information tool. • Returns status about all network and local queues & jobs • Scans ports redirected to Novell, NT & UNIX (LPQ) printer servers • Printer job handling : job(s) deletion • Includes printer setup capabilities : document default settings • Multi-threaded job scanning : UI never blocked

  16. Package Components • LPRSERV (LPR client Service) • Gateway between applications and UNIX print servers • Apps jobs to local file • filename = queuename • Job detected & renamed • queuename -> hostnameusing DNS • Job sent to UNIX serverusing LPR protocol • Job History • Appears as single iconduring job transmission

  17. Installation and Updates • Installation from • Distribution folder (network share) • FTP Server via Web page • Updates and maintenance • Program package • Automated version check and updatedif needed at every logon • Manual update possible via About dialog • Local database • Automated version check and updatedif needed at every startup of the Printer Wizard. • Non-availability of database server • Package runs using current program and database version • Taskbar icon indication

  18. Unix print Clients • From LPRng • Modified to support DNS resolution for print server addressing • -P printername => -P printername@printername.print.cern.ch • Lightweight • no spooling configuration • Backwards compatibility implemented • CERN’s XPRINT adapted

  19. Conclusions • Server back-end based on cheap commodity hardware and ‘Open Source’ software (LPRng) • User benefits • No specific CERN configuration required, any visitor can run it • Runs on any Windows PC having TCP/IP installed • No Netware or NT client required • Stability : runs from the local hard disc • Reliability : database server not required to run the package • Supports other preinstalled printer objects (Novell, NT) • Maintenance benefits • Same binary on W9x, NT4 and Windows 2000 (MSI package) • Centralized management for all Windows platforms • Complete package can easily deployed at other laboratories • http://cern.ch/printpackage • General user satisfaction at CERN.

  20. Contacts • ivan.deloose@cern.ch • Windows Printing Package • Download and information:http://cern.ch/printpackage • ignacio.reguero@cern.ch • Print Server backend and UNIX clients