Looking For A Print Server

P

parityboy

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 13, 2010
Messages
390
I currently have a Linux VM running on an old iMac for print server duty. The iMac is actually quite power hungry and since it's too old for iOS development, I would like to decommission it. That being said, I now need something else to handle print server duty. I've see a couple of wireless USB print server units from D-Link, HP and StarTech, but can anyone recommend one?

Thanks. :)
 
parityboy said:
I currently have a Linux VM running on an old iMac for print server duty. The iMac is actually quite power hungry and since it's too old for iOS development, I would like to decommission it. That being said, I now need something else to handle print server duty. I've see a couple of wireless USB print server units from D-Link, HP and StarTech, but can anyone recommend one?

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...
I hope the OP doesn't mind if I jump in on this thread. My home LAN is all Windows 10, all Wi-FI. I used to use a very old D-Link router as a print server to connect to my HP 400dn printer which has a Ethernet connection but no Wi-Fi. But the D-Link died a few months ago, and I've discovered that sharing the printer off my system is very inconvenient for all the other systems on the home LAN. So I need a low-cost print server or router that supports bridge mode.

I don't need anything fancy, as long as the server (or low-cost router) speaks WPA2 in bridge mode. 5.0 GHz support and 802.11ac support are nice to have, but I can't spend big bucks just for a print server.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

x509
 
x509

I don't mind at all. :D

I did a quick search on eBay and it yielded these results. :)
 
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Sorry this may be a dumb question, but if you have a network printer why do you need a print server? Just direct print to it
 
He never said he had a network printer, just a print server. If the printer is USB-only then OP needs a print server for multiple devices to access.
 
rtangwai said:
He never said he had a network printer, just a print server. If the printer is USB-only then OP needs a print server for multiple devices to access.
Click to expand...
Actually this printer is both USB 2 and Ethernet. Problem is, my entire LAN is now Wi-Fi based, so I need an inexpensive box that speaks WiFi and either Ethernet or USB (or both). Plus support for WPA2 and bridge mode.

I want to get something currently on sale for hopefully up to date security via a firmware update. Too many bad actors out there.
 
BlueLineSwinger said:
What about a Raspberry Pi? Your current config should simply transfer over.
Click to expand...

As long as you are just doing some basic printing something like this isn't a bad idea. If you are printing big files though it can be an issue.
 
The Lurker said:
OP needs this: https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-Portable-Travel-Router/dp/B00TQEX8BO could probably power it off the printers USB port.
Click to expand...

Good suggestion, although it won't power from the printer's USB port as most printers have USB-A connectors and normally don't provide power at all.

OP, how far away is the printer from the nearest switch/router? If you can run an Ethernet cable then you don't need the bridge at all, the WAP/router itself acts as the bridge.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
swatbat said:
As long as you are just doing some basic printing something like this isn't a bad idea. If you are printing big files though it can be an issue.
Click to expand...


Eh, unless maybe you've got some OMG-complex docs the only limiting factor really is storage space for the print spooler. Use a large enough microSD card and it's not an issue. CUPS doc conversion/filtering doesn't take a lot of effort, really. If all these dinky little devices from the likes of TP-Link, Netgear, etc. can do it, a RPi certainly can.
 
Some NAS units include the ability to connect and share a printer. On the off chance any of the folks needing a print server have or are considering adding a NAS.
 
rtangwai said:
Good suggestion, although it won't power from the printer's USB port as most printers have USB-A connectors and normally don't provide power at all.

OP, how far away is the printer from the nearest switch/router? If you can run an Ethernet cable then you don't need the bridge at all, the WAP/router itself acts as the bridge.
Click to expand...
The router is on the first floor of the house but the printer is in a home office on the second floor. Ethernet is not an option since I don't want to bust open the walls.
 
Eickst said:
Sorry this may be a dumb question, but if you have a network printer why do you need a print server? Just direct print to it
Click to expand...
To answer this post, I have four systems in my home LAN, and two are laptops that move around a lot. I'm totally committed to WiFi at this point.
 
x509 said:
To answer this post, I have four systems in my home LAN, and two are laptops that move around a lot. I'm totally committed to WiFi at this point.
Click to expand...

I print from my laptop to a printer on the network all the time, so not sure what you mean. The printer has an IP on the lan, you just set up the printer with an IP port and print over the network.
 
Eickst said:
I print from my laptop to a printer on the network all the time, so not sure what you mean. The printer has an IP on the lan, you just set up the printer with an IP port and print over the network.
Click to expand...
My printer is an HP 400dn. It has only USB and Ethernet, but not WiFi.

x509
 
^ that is probably your simplest solution. add one to your wifi network, plug the printer in, give printer a fixed ip and point systems to it.
 
IdiotInCharge said:
So you haven't picked up a wifi bridge yet?
Click to expand...
Not yet. Just yesterday just made a decision to go all-in on streaming and I'm reading that I might need a much stronger router because of the distance between the router and our bedroom. So if that happens, I woluld repurpose the current router as a bridge.
 
Dead Parrot said:
Some NAS units include the ability to connect and share a printer. On the off chance any of the folks needing a print server have or are considering adding a NAS.
Click to expand...
My QNAP NAS's have print server capability using a usb2 connection to the printer. So if you need an NAS and a print server, that's the way to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top