Computing and Network Services supports the networking of laser printers for faculty and staff departments on campus. We recommend that departments purchase and maintain at least one networked laser printer for lower per page costs, speed, print quality, archiving, and printer availability when local office or desktop printers fail. Departments are responsible for costs of supplies, paper, and repair and replacement of laser printers out of their departmental office supply budgets.
By default, network printers are installed to be available to all users in the department that has purchased the printer, and access can be managed and given to other departments or students as well.
Offices wishing to take advantage of networking laser printers need an available network jack to connect the printer to the network. If there is an available network jack in the area, and the building has the required network capacity, it can be plugged in immediately. If there are no available network jacks in the area, an installation charge coordinated through Telecommunications will apply.
Drew supports Hewlett-Packard (HP) laser printers, which must be equipped with a network card. Please see the Computer Store for currently available models. In some cases, a network card can be added to an existing printer; please consult with the Computer Store for details and whether your existing printer is worth upgrading.
When your printer or printer network card arrives, the Computer Store will install the printer and connect it to the network. They will need to know your department name, the printer’s room location, and what other groups will require access to the printer. Networking support staff will then configure the printer and place it on to the campus network. Network printer installs are usually performed within 2 business days. A printer icon will then be available when browsing for “NDPS Controlled Access Printers” in the “Add a Printer” wizard in Windows XP. Printers are named with the syntax deptname_roomno_model, and should be easy to find. Simply selecting the printer in Windows XP will install the proper printer drivers and configure the printer for use on the network.