Net printing standard advances

Microsoft (MSFT) and Hewlett-Packard (HWP) have submitted a proposed Internet printing standard to the Internet Engineering Task Force working group that is studying Web-based printing proposals.

The protocol allows a user to complete secure printing tasks over the Internet by linking themselves to a printing business that has appropriate reproduction equipment, for example. The user could order a print job over the Internet using the HP and Microsoft-submitted Simple Web Printing (SWP) protocol and the appropriate printer drivers. The printer essentially operates as a Web server.

The proposal can be viewed at Microsoft's Web site.

The Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) working group within the IETF is working on ways to implement secure printing techniques over the public Internet. Other companies participating in the working group include Adobe Systems, Canon, IBM, Lexmark, Ricoh, and Xerox.

A standard is expected to be introduced to the IETF by August.