What are the functions of a print server?

A print server can be a very useful thing in a situation where many people share a closed network of computers that are going to be printing to the same printer. This is especially true of an office setting or a school setting. The functions of a print server include providing print resources to all connected client computers and to store print jobs in a queue until the printer is ready to print them.

With the addition of a print server a single printer can be utilized to serve many people efficiently instead needing to have multiple printers. One of the most convenient things is that a print server is able to queue up jobs so that each job needing to be printed is in line to print when the printer is not busy.