Method, apparatus system and computer program for saving and retrieving print data in a network

摘要

Printing data for a printing job is transmitted block by block from a data source (6a-6c,9) to one or more print servers (2-5) interlinked via a network (8) where it is saved. Control data regarding the respective printing data transmitted to the print servers is recorded and saved in the network. The print servers use the control data to read the printing data block by block from each server as well as to process it and put it in a buffer, as required, and then later to forward it to processing devices (10-13,16). Independent claims are also included for a system for processing printing data with a network of print servers with a master print server and for a computer program for running on a server for printing data.