Is CUPS the right choice to me ?

[Daniel Kasak]

xyko at ipiranga.com.br wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I have no experience with CUPS in a large environment.
> 
> I need to implement a print server that will have to manage about 1000 printers. I'm planning to configure an Intel server running Linux/CUPS to do that job. I'm afraid that such configuration may not have performance nor stability. Does anybody has something to tell about that ? What do you thing about the needed hardware configuration ?
> 
> If somebody has another idea to solve that problem please tell me what it is.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> José Francisco (Xyko)

With that many printers, I'd suggest checking out Easy Software 
Products: http://www.easysw.com

They're behind CUPS, and would be able to offer you some kind of 
concrete tech support, management software, etc.

That's not to say that CUPS wouldn't do exactly what you want, but:

a) the cost of support will me minimal for a company that can afford 
1000 printers

b) it's good to have a company backing a large solution

c) it's good to support companies that support open source

With regards to your questions about performance / stability, I don't 
think you'll have issues with either of them. I think the main thing 
will be configuration and management. At least I haven't had any issues 
with performance or stability ( apart from a dead-slow HP Color Laserjet 
5, but that was a memory issue on the printer ).

Maybe someone else has used CUPS with a large network of printers and 
wants to share their experience?

Dan