a network peripheral support method including a client with a general purpose software capability and a server connected to the peripheral . the server of the present invention waits for a client to attempt to open a connection with the peripheral . the client sends a peripheral connection request via a data packet to the server , and the server accepts the connection . the server determines an availability of the peripheral and locks the peripheral so that it cannot be used by other clients . thereafter , the server opens a connection with the peripheral , if it is available , and notifies the client of the peripheral availability . the server then waits for predetermined data from the client , which when received , results in the client having control of the peripheral for at least a first predetermined time period , and when received sends the data to the client . the server closes the connection with the client upon completion of sending the data to the client .