The IT department of a medium-sized company is setting up a shared printer to handle extensive printing needs across different departments. The printer has an Ethernet port and is to be accessed over the company's local area network. The IT specialist decides to use a dedicated computer as a print server to manage print jobs and printer access. What is the primary reason for configuring a dedicated computer as a print server rather than connecting the printer directly to the network and assigning it an IP address?
It increases printing speed because a dedicated computer can process data more quickly than a network printer.
It reduces network congestion by storing all printing jobs locally on the computer's hard drive before sending them to the printer.
It is a necessary security protocol required by the IEEE to prevent data breaches through networked printers.
It provides centralized management capabilities, allowing for queue control, user authentication, and detailed audit logs.