Recomended Max Queues on Print Server?

[Nathan Mirro]

Is there a recommended maximum number of printers or
queues that should be setup on a print Windows 2000 print
server? We currently have one server with 54 queues that
it manages and although there are no cpu or memory
problems that are visible; the server's performance is
not quite what it should be. It is very difficult to
start or shutdown services, system periodically freezes,
etc. New HP Proliant server with two 3ghz zeon & 2Gb RAM.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Rebecca Chen [MSFT]]

Hi Nathan,

Based on my research, I have not found any document explicitly addressed
the limitation of printer can be installed on one win2k server. You can add
printers on win2k server if server is powerful enough.

When you add a network printer to win2k server, the system will add a link
in the registry and copy the printer driver to a specific folder. In some
views, add a network printer to a server is similar to create a folder.

Whereas, when the clients connect to the win2k server to process a job,
remote print jobs are intercepted by a print server service before passing
to the server spooler. If many clients process the print jobs
simultaneously, the system performance will drop down since the printer
spooler will occupy the system resource, including the memory CPU etc. For
more details, please refer to the following link:


Network Printing
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/
en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en
-us/core/fnbe_prn_cvta.asp

Chapter 14 - Printing
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/2000/professional/r
eskit/en-us/part3/proch14.mspx

I suggest you open the Task Manager when you observe the system performance
goes slowly to see which process has taken the system resource. In
addition, Application and System event logs will us more details to cause
the system performance down since it is possible that not the printer
service has cause the performance issue. You may consider saving the
application and system logs and send to (e-mail address removed) for research.
I will do my best to see if we can find any clues in the event logs.

However, please know troubleshooting performance issue could a
time-consuming task. If it is an urgent issue, I suggest you contact
Microsoft Product Support Services via telephone so that a dedicated
Support Professional can assist with your request. Please be advised that
contacting phone support will be a charged call.

To obtain the phone numbers for specific technology request please take a
look at the web site listed below.

<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;PHONENUMBERS>

If you are outside the US please see http://support.microsoft.com for
regional support phone numbers.

Any update, let us get in touch!

Best regards,

Rebecca Chen

MCSE2000 MCDBA CCNA


Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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[Nik]

Microsoft has done a internal test for w2k and w2k3 and the result was
W2K max throughput: 2.2Mb/sec / 350 Jobs submitted/minute.
W2K3 max throughput: 8.5Mb/sec / 600 Jobs submitted/minute.


/nik

 

[Rebecca Chen [MSFT]]

Hi Nathan,

Frankly, I have not seen any published numbers on throughput as they would
be highly dependent on NIC/Toplogy/Printers, etc¡­ Lots of variables.

Based on my further research, I suggest you take a look at the following
whitepaper.The maximum load and performance level of a Windows print server
is greatly dependent upon key configuration decisions. Although this paper
does not provide exact formulas for calculating maximum loads, it does
provide information that helps you size a server to meet an organization's
needs.

Print Server Sizing whitepaper

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/printservscal.m
spx

Any update, let us get in touch!



Best regards,

Rebecca Chen

MCSE2000 MCDBA CCNA


Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

=====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Nathan Mirro]

Thank you for all your help. It seems that quite a bit
of our problems have been traced back to a Lexmark
Service that was installed when a tech installed the
printer on the server. The lexmark service in question
made itself the head of a dependancy chain for the
spooler and tcp/ip printer services. Why we are having
the other issues related to services shutting (Network
Connection service) down we still cannot determine and
may eventually have to open a trouble ticket with
Microsoft about. The two may be completely unrelated but
we are not discriminating against any possible
combination of smaller issues creating a larger one.

The information provided has been very helpful in
tracking down capacity of a MS 2000 Printer Server which
is what I requested. Thank you.

Regards,

Nathan Mirro
Manager of Information Technology
Anderson Hay & Grain Co., Inc.
http://www.anderson-hay.com

-----Original Message-----
Hi Nathan,

Frankly, I have not seen any published numbers on throughput as they would
be highly dependent on NIC/Toplogy/Printers, etc¡­ Lots of variables.

Based on my further research, I suggest you take a look at the following
whitepaper.The maximum load and performance level of a Windows print server
is greatly dependent upon key configuration decisions. Although this paper
does not provide exact formulas for calculating maximum loads, it does
provide information that helps you size a server to meet an organization's
needs.

Print Server Sizing whitepaper

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overv iew/printservscal.m
spx

Any update, let us get in touch!



Best regards,

Rebecca Chen

MCSE2000 MCDBA CCNA


Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

=====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and

confers no rights.

 

[Rebecca Chen [MSFT]]

Hi Nathan£¬

Thanks for keep us updated!

I understand you have already isolated this issue to Lexmark service, I
agree with you that it would be better to contact our phone support
engineer to resolve this issue more efficiently. Please take a look at the
web site listed below to obtain the numbers to contact Microsoft phone
support engineer:

<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;PHONENUMBERS>

If you are outside the US please see http://support.microsoft.com for
regional support phone numbers.


Personally, I suggest you try the latest Lexmark driver to check the
status. You may also consider contacting Lexmark support to get more
information about Lexmark service. For your convenience, I have listed the
Lexmark contact below:

http://www.lexmark.com/US/corporate/customer/

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find
technical support. This contact information may change without notice.
Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact
information.

Further update, let us get in touch!

Best regards,

Rebecca Chen

MCSE2000 MCDBA CCNA


Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

=====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.