Print Monitoring Architecture

This section covers PaperCut MF print monitoring architecture from a technical perspective. Knowledge of advanced networking is expected.

PaperCut MF is designed using the latest software design principles. An important design principle used is Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). PaperCut MF divides key operational areas into components. These components communicate using an XML Web Services standard. Two of the main services are:

Service/ComponentDescription

The Application Server

The central logic service responsible calculating user costs and providing the web and admin interface.

Print Provider Service

A service responsible for monitoring and analyzing print jobs and reporting this information using XML Web Services to the application server.

Table 19.1. PaperCut MF services/components

In a single server setup, an administrator does not need to be concerned with the two components as they automatically act as one (it's only noticeable in that two processes are running on the server). On a multi-server/system environment a deeper understanding of the architecture is required.