Printing Infrastructure

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

This is preliminary documentation and subject to change.

The printing infrastructure for a print server enables local and remote users to print to the server and to manage printers and all aspects of printing.

Hierarchy of Managed Entities

Managed Entities

Name Description

Print Queue

A print queue is a representation of a print device (physical printer) in Microsoft Windows. Opening a print queue displays active print jobs and their status.

Print Spooler Service

Each print server has a single print spooler service, which manages all the print jobs and print queues on that server.

Print Server Failover Cluster

A cluster is a group of independent computers that work together to increase the availability of print services or other services. If one of the clustered servers fails, another server begins to provide service, a process known as failover.

Printer Driver

To print to a physical print device (a printer), each print queue requires a printer driver.