Secure Printing Using SSL

Secure printing takes advantage of SSL, which requires users to authenticate using their eDirectory usernames and passwords. Users authenticate once per eDirectory tree per session. The print data is encrypted, and all print communication uses port 443. Without secure printing, the printer is available to anyone inside the firewall on the network and the print data is not encrypted. Secure printing works in conjunction with the security level set for the printer.

The following table shows how access is determined, depending on the level of printer security and if secure printing is enabled or disabled.

Table 3. Effects of Printer Security with Secure Printing Enabled

Printer Security Level	Secure Printing Disabled (No SSL)	Secure Printing Enabled (With SSL)
Low	Full access	eDirectory authentication
Medium	Check of user's effective rights	eDirectory authentication and check of user's effective rights
High	Users must use SSL and authenticate to eDirectory Users will receive an error if they do not use SSL	eDirectory authentication, check user's effective rights, and connection verification

Printer Security Level

Secure Printing Disabled (No SSL)

Secure Printing Enabled (With SSL)

Low

Full access

eDirectory authentication

Medium

Check of user's effective rights

eDirectory authentication and check of user's effective rights

High

Users must use SSL and authenticate to eDirectory

Users will receive an error if they do not use SSL

eDirectory authentication, check user's effective rights, and connection verification

For more information on Printer Security Levels, see Setting Printer Security Levels in the Novell Distributed Print Services Administration Guide.