Image forming apparatus with print server function, print server activating method in a network, and computer program product

Abstract

In a network environment having a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected thereto, an image forming apparatus that can reduce down time related to printing without increasing burden on system construction is provided. An image forming apparatus includes a communication unit communicating with other apparatuses through the network, an image forming unit connected to the communication unit through a bus, a print instruction management unit connected to the communication unit through the bus and capable of transmitting a print request, received through the communication unit, to designated one of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network, and a server setting unit determining, by a prescribed procedure, which of the apparatuses having the print server function connected to the network, to be the print server. The print instruction management unit enables or disables the function of the print instruction management unit mentioned above, in accordance with the determination by the server setting unit.