Network Setup Dialog

Use the Network tab to configure some of Printer Maestro's network and data storage settings. These settings affect how Printer Maestro interacts with its peers. A peer is another computer that is running the Printer Maestro service.

Network Settings

• Share printer status with other computers: Specifies that the printer status is automatically shared with peers in the network.

• Add new computers automatically: Specifies that new peers are recognized and added to the network automatically.

• TCP/UDP Port: Specifies the TCP/UDP port that is used for network communication. Printer Maestro sees peers and is seen by peers only on the same port. This setting can be useful if you would like to use Printer Maestro in smaller sub-networks. The default port is 7170.

• Maximum Connections Per Second: Specifies the maximum number of Printer Maestro peers on the network that can be queried each second. The more peers that are queried each second, the faster the Printer Maestro user interface is updated with new information. This functionality comes at the cost of increased network traffic. You should find the setting that gives you the right balance between timely user interface updates and an acceptable level of network traffic.

• Reset to Defaults: Returns the Network Settings controls to their default settings.

Data Storage Location

• Distributed between clients: Specifies that the data for individual Printer Maestro installations are stored on the local computer and then propagated to all peers. You must use this option if you have no computer that serves as a central Microsoft SQL Server server. No additional software is required for this option.

• Microsoft SQL Server: Specifies that the data for all Printer Maestro peers are stored in a single SQL Server database. You must purchase and install SQL Server separately. If you store Printer Maestro data on a centralized server, performance on larger networks improves.

• Database Setup: Displays the Database Setup dialog, which you can use to connect to a SQL Server database.

If you switch data storage locations, you should first back up any database settings by using the Export option on the Administration tab. After you change the data storage location, you can restore these settings by using the Import function.

Use the Administration tab export or import Printer Maestro settings to a file. You can also restore the selected settings to their default configurations.

• Import: Opens the Import Settings File dialog, which you can use to select a Printer Maestro settings file that you can use to import settings into the running instance of Printer Maestro. Only those settings that are selected are imported from the settings file.

• Export: Opens the Export Settings File dialog, which you can use to save the selected settings to a Printer Maestro settings file.

• Reset to Defaults: Resets the selected settings to their default values.

The settings on the Diagnostics tab are intended to help the Technical Support team investigate any problems that you encounter with your installation. Do not use or adjust these settings unless you are instructed to do so by a support technician.