220-1101 Question 377
Single answerShared resources vs. dedicated resourcesA small office has one high-speed color laser printer connected to the network and used by all employees. The office manager complains that large print jobs from the graphics team often delay payroll and shipping documents. Management wants payroll prints to be available immediately without being affected by other users' jobs, but they do not want to replace the existing shared printer for general office use. Which solution best meets this requirement?
- A
Install a second printer dedicated to the payroll workstation or payroll department
- B
Increase the paper capacity on the existing shared printer
- C
Set the existing shared printer as the default printer for only the payroll workstation
- D
Move the existing shared printer closer to the payroll department
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests the practical difference between shared and dedicated resources. A shared resource, such as a network printer used by the entire office, is cost-effective but can create delays when many users compete for access. A dedicated resource is reserved for a specific user, team, or business function and is the better choice when guaranteed availability is required. In this scenario, payroll documents are time-sensitive, so assigning a dedicated printer is the most appropriate solution. This aligns with common IT support best practices: use shared resources for general access and lower cost, but deploy dedicated resources when a business process requires predictable availability, reduced contention, or greater confidentiality.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A dedicated printer or dedicated print resource for payroll ensures that payroll jobs are not delayed by other users' print jobs on the shared device. This directly addresses the difference between shared resources, which are accessible by many users and subject to contention, and dedicated resources, which are reserved for a specific user or function.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Adding more paper may reduce how often the tray must be refilled, but it does not prevent print queue delays caused by multiple users sharing the same printer. The problem is resource contention, not paper availability.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Making the shared printer the default for payroll does not give payroll any exclusive access or priority. Other users can still send jobs to the same shared printer, so payroll documents may still be delayed in the queue.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Relocating the shared printer may improve convenience for payroll staff, but it does not change the fact that the printer remains a shared resource. Print jobs from other departments would still compete for the same device.