System and method for managing printer resources on an internal network

A system for routing print requests and managing internal printer resources on an internal network wherein global printer resource data is stored on an external network, the system comprising:

• a global server connected to the external network having a global printer resource registry for storing global printer resource data;
• a print traffic server connected to the internal network and the global server, the print traffic server having an internal printer resource registry for storing internal printer resource data, the print traffic server configured to update internal printer resource data from the global server if the internal printer resource data associated with the requested printer resource is invalid, and to route the print request to the requested printer resource based on location information in the printer resource data associated with the requested printer resource.

A client network device for accessing a printer resource on an internal network, the client network device comprising:

• a memory for storing program instructions;
• and
• a processor, that when executing the program instructions, is configured to send a message to a print traffic server on the internal network from the client network device, to submit the print request for the printer resource to the print traffic server if a reply to the message is received from the print traffic server, and to attempt to submit the print request for the printer resource to a global server located on an external network if the reply is not received.

A method for accessing a printer resource on an internal network from a client network device, the method comprising:

• receiving location information of a client network device at a global print server on an external network;
• identifying a print traffic server that is accessible by the client network device through the internal network based on the location information;
• sending a connection information for the identified print traffic server to the client network device.