Password Protected Print Queue

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Hello,

I work in a computer lab at the University of Minnesota and we just
bought a new color printer. However, we only want to allow it to be
used after one of the lab's TAs authorizes the print job.

Here is the setup:

~30 Computers running Windows XP Pro connected to a local server
(running Windows Server 2003) that serves the entire lab plus the TA
machine.

Printer Model:
HP DeskJet 6980

Two possibilities to connect printer
1. USB to TA Machine
2. Ethernet cable to TA Machine
3. Ethernet cable to Server (however, TAs are not authorized to log
onto the server itself to authorize print jobs)

TAs have individual accounts with administrator privileges on the TA
machine and have access to administrative accounts on all of the
individual workstations.

What we would like to do is when a user is logged onto an account (we
have a universal account users must log on with to use the computers)
where they can print to our three LaserJet printers with no password
(what we have right now). However, since a color inkjet costs much
more to use than a black and white LaserJet and to curb abuse, we want
to have the TAs either enter a password at the individual workstations,
or (even better) to have our TA machine act as a sort of print server
where we could preview the documents and authorize the printing from
the TA desk.

We are looking for a built-in or freeware solution for this since we
are on a budget.

Having the users transfer files to the TA machine directly via USB
drive poses a security risk which we do not wish to take.

Another possible option is to run a virtual Linux box off the TA
machine using VMware. This is more of a last resort option however.

If requested, I can describe more in depth the issue we are having or
answer questions.

Thanks in advance,
-dxmnkd316

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Question about containers and User Groups
    ... The email server is called SmarterMail. ... If it were really integrated with AD it would USE the AD accounts ... When it finds the user in the Users Container it ... called Computers. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Re: Question about containers and User Groups
    ... The email server is called SmarterMail. ... If it were really integrated with AD it would USE the AD accounts directly. ... When it finds the user in the Users Container it ... Users) or OUs containing the Computer accounts (to affect the Computers.) ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Re: Active directory migration tool, access denied
    ... Yes, I can always do that, but the accounts on the machines right now won't ... I also have issues with a couple of 98 machines. ... I also have ISA server issues, but that is for another post. ... You can always fix those other computers. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Windows 2003 open to DOA attacks
    ... since a few days for several times all our accounts on our Windows 2003 ... Server domain have been locked by the system. ... Several computers in our university network, ... anonymous and retrieve all valid user accounts in our domain. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.security)
  • Sending email to mydomain.com
    ... They do not offer an smtp server, ... different from the user account names for the exchange ... I added one user account in the POP3 Mailbox Accounts ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)