Restrict Access to Printer Based on Program

[KenGr]

Hi:

I have no idea where to post this thread so I'm going try here. It's part networking and part printer problem and part programming.

Yesterday I setup an HP 1320tn printer on my network. The main purpose of this printer is to print payroll and accounts payable checks. I can control which tray and which printer a print job goes to from my accounting program. What I want to do is to stop people from printing to this printer from programs other than my accounting program(e.g. Excel, Word, etc.) So, if a user tries to print to the HP from Excel they will get a message that they cannot.

The only way I can think of to do this is to write a script that would intercept the print request and test to see if the printjob should go to the specified printer. Does anyone no if you can accomplish this through security rights in Win2k? Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[PrntRhd]

If you set up the printer as a Local printer instead of setting it up on a print server, you should be the only one who prints to it from your client PC because it will be the only client porting to that printer. (You need to have a static IP assigned.)
If user permissions do not allow others to add printers you should be ok.

[KenGr]

PrntRhd:

Actually, I have to share this printer among three users.

One thought I had was to put the users that need this printer in a seperate group; however, that will still not stop them from sending printjobs from Excel, etc. to this printer. Could I set up a Linux router or print server that would block print jobs, maybe by port?

[PrntRhd]

I am having a difficult time tonight understanding your needs:
You don't want to share the printer because you may have payroll check stock in it to print the payroll,
Yet you also say you need to share the printer with three other users?

[pave_spectre]

If you went with a linux based server you would need something like SAMBA/CUPS, which should then allow you to block clients by IP or allow only selected users and block everyone else.

But I don't know of any way to block specific applications from printing.

[KenGr]

Sorry for the confusion. I'll admit it is a rather odd thing I'm trying to accomplish.

In the end, I think I will have to write a program or script that can detect where an individual is trying to print and display a confirmation message(e.g. "Are you sure you want to use this printer?") which would allow the user to continue or cancel. Not perfect but it might work.

Thanks for your help!