How to limit printing hours in NDPS

[tmattson]

I have several printers that I need to setup where access is limited to certain hours of the day. Can this be done through NDPS? Can't seem to figure it out.

TIA

 

[edpatterson]

Odd request. I assume these are controlled access printers and that the uses can be authenticated during the no printer period?

Ed

 

[tmattson]

I'm not sure why this would be an odd request. We simply do not want off shift users using particular networked printers (color laser in this case).

Yes the users are authenticated and are currently able to print to these printers at any time. In windows it is a simple thing to limit the access times. In Novell I am unable to find any parameter that does this same thing. Suggestion?

 

[marvhuffaker]

I have never been aware of any time controls, but what I would do is use access controls on the NDPS printers to only give certain people permission to the color printers in the first place. You can also make it so when they are logged in, the printer isn't even installed. That's not hard to do at all.

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[tmattson]

Thanks Marvin. That's what I was afraid off. The reason is that the workstations in question are authenticated using a generic login (factory floor) and it is important for this to remain that way. The workstations need to have access to these printers but only during the day shift. I hoped that NDPS could control this, otherwise I will need to do this from the workstation side.

 

[edpatterson]

When I had problems with color laser printers (banners, signs, etc) I simply implimented logging then presented the logs to the supervisors. Solved the problem in under a week. Each user had a unique login, don't think it would work in your case.

Actually in one case it was a (ex)supervisor...

Try puttin the printers on a time clock? Kludgy but effective.
-or-
Hire trust worthy staff.

ED

 

[marvhuffaker]

To me, this is more of a politics and security issue.

On one point, you are saying that it's critical for everyone to have the same login. On the flipside, you're saying that you don't trust some of these people with certain company resources. The whole point of authentication and security is to control access to resources. If you make everything generic so everyone has the same access, you're opening yourself up to numerous security risks. It goes far beyond your need to control one color printer.

Maybe you could use ZENworks to implement the time restrictions via the Group Policy that I assume you were talking about on the Windows platform.

good luck.


Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[tmattson]

Don't have Zenworks installed yet, but it is planned for next year. I don't think this issue has to do with dishonesty...even "honest" people make bad choices. Nevertheless, security is at the heart of the matter. With a Windows background and new to Novell I assumed that this type of thing would be inherent to a file/print NOS. With Windows you simply enable the 'available from' option on the advanced tab of the printer properties. This is what I'll have to do at each of the workstations involved.