Computer Name Match rules and considerations

Computer Name match rules

Computer name-based deployment uses Computer Name Match rules to determine which workstations receive a Secure Print Direct queue. The match type dropdown lets you choose how the value is evaluated, including Starts with, Ends with, Contains, Regular Expression, and All.

The default match type is Regular Expression. If you enter plain text without regex operators, the text matches anywhere in the workstation computer name. For example, entering RECEPTION matches workstation computer names such as UK-RECEPTION-01 and RECEPTION-LOBBY. You can use regex operators when you need more precise or complex matching.

Simple matching

The Starts with, Ends with, and Contains match types are useful when workstation names follow a predictable naming convention and a simple string match is sufficient.

Match type Value Matches Does not match
Starts with ^HOSP-WARD-A HOSP-WARD-A-001, HOSP-WARD-A-042 LAB-HOSP-WARD-A
Ends with -KIOSK$ SHARED-KIOSK, LOBBY-KIOSK KIOSK-01
Contains RECEPTION UK-RECEPTION-01, RECEPTION-LOBBY RECEPT-PC
All .* Every workstation
No value Blank No workstations All workstation computer names

Regular expression matching

Use Regular Expression when you need to match multiple naming variations or patterns that cannot be expressed with the simple match types.

Pattern Matches Intent
^MFG-LINE-[12]- MFG-LINE-1-PC01, MFG-LINE-2-PC07 Match workstations on Production Line 1 or Line 2.
^(AUCK|ROCH)-RECEPTION-[0-9]{2}$ AUCK-RECEPTION-01, ROCH-RECEPTION-12 Match reception workstations in selected locations when the name ends with a two-digit number.
NoteTest regular expression patterns before deploying them to production to avoid matching unintended workstations.

Important considerations

Configure an explicit matching rule

For a printer or queue deployed by computer name, configure an explicit Computer Name Match rule. A blank value does not match "all workstations." Use the All option when the printer or queue should be available to every workstation.

Use a supported Print Scout version

Computer name-based deployment requires a Print Scout version that reports workstation computer names. Use Windows Print Scout 8.5 or later. If the workstation computer name is not reported, HP Insights cannot evaluate Computer Name Match rules.

Check inheritance before troubleshooting

By default, queues inherit their Target and Computer Name Match settings from the parent printer. If a queue is not behaving as expected, check whether it is using inherited settings or queue-specific settings configured through Override.

Target can’t differ between queues on one printer

The printer’s Target (User or Workstation) is set on the printer, and all of its queues follow it. You can’t make one queue on a printer user-targeted and another workstation-targeted. Only the Computer Name Match rule can be overridden for an individual queue.