Possible to termporarily lock other users out of network printer??

[Annalyzer]

Here's the scenario: we have 5 to 8 people connected to one networked laser printer. At any given time, one of those people might be needing to print checks on check stock in that printer. The current method for doing this is that the check issuer must walk around to each workstation and notify everyone that they are putting check stock in the printer. Then, they put the check stock in the printer, go back to their workstation, print the checks, remove any remaining check stock and then walk around again letting everyone know that they are finished.

So, experts, when you are finished laughing at our "sneaker-net" method =D could you please tell me if there is any way - from a networking perspective - that the person printing checks can temporarly gain exclusive access to that printer for the duration of the print job? If so, could you direct me toward a resource that I, or our network guru, might learn how to accomplish this?

Thanks!!

[sicarie]

You could create a print server that will queue jobs that come in while maintenance is being done on the system...

Other than that, as this is a small office you can always bring down the printer - depending on how long the maintenance is for.

[Annalyzer]

What maintenance? Is this an answer to my question or perhaps someone else's question by mistake?

[sicarie]

What maintenance? Is this an answer to my question or perhaps someone else's question by mistake?

Ah, sorry, I did mis-read your question. I would recommend creating a Linux print server out of an old box and seeing if that helped, or re-cabling (either on a switch, or manually) when you don't want users to access the printer.

[Annalyzer]

Sounds like it's something that's going to need intervention from IT regardless. This happens as many as 4 to 5 times a day, so I think we'll just let them walk around to each person and tell them not to send anything to the printer. I was hoping there was a way to configure the printer that would give the user exclusive access so when they wanted to print checks, they could select that configuration and not worry about anyone else sending a print job. We've limited the number of people who have access to that printer so it's not a huge deal.

Thanks for trying!