Deploying IP Printers via GPO - Not as easy as it used to be.

I used to be a big fan of deploying printers via GPO, and preferred using the direct TCP/IP method rather than relying on a print server. The process was a little strange, because you still needed to have a "print server" for the desktop to get the driver from, but at least once the policy would apply, it would be done, and print jobs would print directly to the printer without relying on a print server. (and also, "Color Laser Printer on FILESERVER1" just looks so messy.)

This process used to work perfectly, and saved us tons of time deploying new printers or deploying new computers. But now it seems to have become a LOT more problematic, and more trouble that it's worth. It seemed to start with a few specific printers.

I remember about a year ago hearing on Security Now there was a vulnerability regarding networked printer drivers,...