I'm setting up a Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 print server. I'm able to add printers, install them on workstations, I can print, all the plumbing seems to be in place.
What I don't understand is what purpose the "Share name" on the Sharing tab of an installed (on the server) printer is for. When I add the printer to a Windows 7 workstation, the printer is installed as "the_printer_name on the_print_server". For example, "LaserJet 4100 on PRNTSRVR". If I change the "Share name" of the printer on the server there appears to be no effect on the workstation, no effect on searching (in the Add Printer dialog, "Select a shared printer by name" dropdown), the printer mapping is not lost.
What purpose does the "Share name" serve in this context?
Best Answer
Ah, I do see the printer listed by its share name when I browse the print server from Windows Explorer. And when I "Connect..." it it's installed as its Printer Name, not its Share name.