Design Network printers are sometimes called workgroup-class printers. Their print engines are designed for sustained use and have long life-cycles. By contrast, most printers designed for individual use (such as most ink-jet printers) are designed for occasional printing.

Interface The printer must have an internal expansion slot that supports the EIO or MIO standard. Since EIO is a replacement for MIO, new printers should support EIO.

Print server The print server must support the proper network interface, support multiple protocols (IPP, NDPS, LPR), and must be able to have it's firmware upgraded to correct bugs and add features.

The University currently supports internal Hewlett-Packard JetDirect print servers. Existing Emulex NetQue print servers are also supported, but they are a discontinued product. They will be replaced at the first opportunity.

Moving or Turning off printers

Do not move a network printer or turn off the power to it without consulting with IT staff first. Network printers are shared resources and managed network devices. OIT or your distributed IT support staff will coordinate moving these devices if necessary. The IT staff will determine if the printer meets the criteria to be reconnected to the network in it's current configuration and will either recommend modifications or decommissioning.

Purchasing a new printer

Please contact your Distributed IT Support Staff before purchasing new printers. They will help coordinate a proper purchase and will help determine if a special-case variance may be allowed. All new networked printer purchases must also be approved by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Services.

Decommissioned network printers

Printers that no longer meet the minimum criteria for a network-attached printer may be connected to a single computer for use on that workstation only. From that point on, advertising or sharing the printer over the campus network by any means is prohibited.