Windows print server

[tomscloud]

Hi

I have a customer that wants to put his printer server on azure, and remove them onprem, what do you think on this? I would like to know how traffic between client server and printer really works, when a client send a document for printing does this document go to the server and then back to the onprem printer? or does the client send the document to the local printer?

thanks

[#2 · Accepted solution]

If you keep using a print server and configure all computers to print to that queue, the traffic will be computer -> Azure AD server -> printer. For some of our customers, I add all printers to their computers using Intune and the traffic pattern is computer -> printer. That way all traffic is directed towards the printer, there are no egress traffic costs from Azure back to on-prem, and printing is faster.

[#3]

But client --> printer means no server queue, hence no need for server at all
(I assume the printers are added to clients by IP in Intune management)

Seb

[#4]

Correct

[#5]

That makes almost zero control, would not work here

[#6]

Like rights on printers and logging for example?

[#7]

And reporting and archiving, and print release etc

Ah, and VLAN restrictions (only print server communicates with printers)

[#8]

Ah, ok... Then it will cause some egress data and costs I guess, not sure how much data it will be... Universal print could also be an option to assign printers, but the driver model has limitations

[#9]

That is why I keep on-prem server (makes life so much easier)

[#10]

If all servers are phased out or must be in Azure, then it's something else... But for performance in printing and for costs, on prem is easier

[#11]

Yes in my case the customer wants to dismiss all on prem servers, and have dc and printer servers on azure cloud on 3 vm connected to the onprem via s2s vpn, so some egress traffic is needed.

[#12]

I suggest having good reports on costs and comparing it later on to having universal print (if that's a good option for the type of printing) or distributing printers with local ip ports which is free but has some management costs for configuration