Networking printers question

T

ThirtySixBelow

Gawd
Joined
Dec 4, 2004
Messages
846
I want to use one printer for my home network and was wondering if i have to get a special printer that says it has networking capabilities or if any printer will work.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-P.../sem/rpsm/oid/99795/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

that one is probably all the more i need printer wise, but it doesn't say anything about networking capabilities

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-P...sem/rpsm/oid/111872/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

that one on the other hand costs about 100 dollars more but has "built-in" networking capablities. Any suggestions on printer idea's are welcome, I just don't want to have to spend 100 dollars more if i dont have to since the first one would be sufficient. Thanks
 
You can either get a printer that will connect directly to the network just like a computer would (which would be the second link) or you can get any printer (the USB only printer), connect it to a computer and share that resource to the rest of the network.

Keeping in mind that the computer sharing the printer will have to remain on for others to use it.

"Most" home uses don't need a network capable printer, since they can share one just fine.
 
Or you can get a serial/usb print server. If you have to have the device accessible at all times, get a network ready printer or a print server. Otherwise, just hook it up to a PC and share it out.
 
I already have a 4 port router, but all 4 of my routes are already taken up, so I wouldn't be able to plug in the printer anyway. I would just have to do file and printer sharing on all of the computers and I will need to keep that PC on anytime someone else wants to print, correct?

How do those print servers work? I found one with what looked like one ethernet plug. How would I hook one of those up?
 
If you do not buy a dedicated print server, yes you will have to keep the machine hooked to the printer and turned on when you want to print something.

They work by runnign a small application that acts as a print queue for windows. You have it plugged to an ethernet port, it is assigned an IP or netbios name and it sits there attached to your network.

Advantages, it stays on and doesnt rely on any other machines to control the print jobs.

Disadvantages, Cost, they are kinda expensive. However, I have been using this model http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-320-302&depa=5 for a year now. I use it as just a switch and AP (you can turn the AP function OFF) and print server. Its got USB or Parallel interface and with hacked firmware, it can use both interfaces for printer servers. I have my inkjet and laser hooked up and it works flawlessly.

I suggest this one because it works, you are out of ports so I suggest another switch that has the added bonus of a print server.
 
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