You manage printers on a Windows 2000 network and want a particular Windows 2000 printer to be searchable through Active Directory so that users can easily find it using the Find Printers feature. What must you do first before you can publish this Windows 2000 printer in Active Directory?

Introduction / Context:
Active Directory integration for printers in Windows 2000 allows network users to search for and connect to shared printers using criteria such as location, model and capabilities. However, only shared printers can be published in the directory. Understanding this prerequisite is important for implementing a discoverable and manageable printing infrastructure in a Windows 2000 environment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The server is running Windows 2000 and is part of an Active Directory domain.
• A local or network printer is installed on the server.
• You want this printer to appear in Active Directory searches.
• You need to know what action is required before you can publish the printer.

Concept / Approach:
Active Directory does not list individual printer devices; instead, it lists shared printers. Publishing a printer means creating an object in Active Directory that represents a shared printer resource. Therefore, the printer must first be shared on the server. Only then can you use the printer properties dialog to publish it in the directory. Network protocols such as NetBEUI are not required for this functionality, and specific document management permissions are not prerequisites for directory publication.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Install the printer on the Windows 2000 server, confirming it functions locally.Step 2: Open the printer properties dialog, and go to the Sharing tab.Step 3: Enable sharing by selecting the option to share the printer and providing a share name.Step 4: Once the printer is shared, use the option to list or publish the printer in the directory so that Active Directory clients can find it.Step 5: Recognize that installing additional protocols or assigning special permissions is not required to simply publish the printer.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you attempt to publish a printer that is not shared, the option to list the printer in the directory will not function as expected. After sharing the printer, you will notice that it appears in Active Directory searches performed from client machines using the Find Printers dialog. Documentation for Windows 2000 printing clearly states that printers must be shared before they can be advertised in the directory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Installing the NetBEUI protocol is unnecessary for standard Windows 2000 Active Directory networks, which rely on TCP/IP. Installing drivers for other operating systems is useful for cross platform printing support, but it is not a prerequisite for directory publication. Granting the Everyone group Manage Documents permissions relates to security and delegation, not discoverability in Active Directory.

Common Pitfalls:
Some administrators focus on complex protocol configurations or access control lists and overlook the simple requirement that printers must be shared to become network resources. Another pitfall is failing to provide meaningful location and description information when publishing printers, which makes search results less useful for end users. Ensuring that printers are shared and properly described enhances the overall user experience in a large Windows 2000 environment.

Final Answer:
Before you can publish a Windows 2000 printer in Active Directory, you must first share the printer.