Control point, image forming apparatus, and method of controlling printing

A method of performing an operation in a network including a first device and a second device, the method comprising:

• generating, by the first device, a request for the second device to perform a function of the second device;
• transmitting, by the first device, the request and information comprising at least one of manner of ending connection, time to start connection, time to end connection, time interval between connected status (ON) and disconnected status (OFF), and reception information of the first device, to the second device;
• determining, by the first device, whether data related to performing the function of the second device is to be transmitted to the second device from either the first device or a third device external to the first device;
• and
• controlling, by the first device, a network connection between the first device and the second device by selectively disconnecting the network connection according to the information and the determining,
• wherein the controlling the network connection between the first device and the second device includes:
• if the first device determines the data related to performing the function of the second device is to be transmitted to the second device from the third device external to the first device, disconnecting, by the first device, the first device from the second device after the first device transmits the request and the information to the second device, and
• if the first device determines the data related to performing the function of the second device is to be transmitted to the second device from the first device, maintaining, by the first device, the network connection between the first device and the second device during a corresponding operation of the second device.