Question : Problem: Network Printer Queue

When setting up a network printer queue do you have to know each user that will use the printer?  I would think if the printer has an ip address it will show up on the network and whoever needs to use the printer can map the printer to the user's computer.  I'm not understanding how setting up the printer queue works in this case.

Answer : Problem: Network Printer Queue

If the printer has its own IP address, you can set it up either via the server, or direct on each PC. If going via a server, that's where the queueing (spooling) happens; if going direct from a PC, the PC will do its own spooling. Spooling only puts a very small load on the processor, and anyway, the spool file is the same file that is sent to the server if you're using one. If multiple PCs try to send print jobs simultaneously, the printer will accept them on a first-come-first-served basis.

To connect, all you need to do is to create a Standard TCP/IP port when you install the driver. This port is only needed on the system that does the spooling. You can create it during or after driver installation. If after, go to printer Properties > Ports and click on the Add Port button. Select Standard TCP/IP port, and enter the IP address. You can give the port a name, but a default one is assigned automatically.

Using a server has 2 main benefits: the system administrator has control over who gets access to the printer, and you don't need to load driver files on each PC (installing from the server automatically loads the files onto the PC).