Setting up Print Server (Wired/Wireless Question)

truz · Post by **truz** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:48 pm

Hello,

I have a question regarding a wireless print server. I'm getting ready to wire a new house for data and phone as well as the tv/satellite.

My main question is, how does a print server work? if I had a netgear or say any wireless router could I setup a wireless print server and it work where I have wireless internet? I plan on setting up accesss points on the house so wireless internet will work everywhere around the house as well as have hard wiring threw the house.

Also, if I had a wired print server, would I plug it into my data line I wired for broadband? Would it work with every computer connected via hard wire or would it work with both hard wire and wireless?

twwabw · Post by **twwabw** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:33 am

My experience with the cheap home wireless print servers has not been great. They required proprietary software to be installed at each connecting PC; and some even require you to use addt'l protocols (ie:ipx/spx). Most require some fiddling if your printer has communication / monitoring software to even work.

Wired print servers are much better and easier to use, IMO. You plug them into an available data port on your LAN, and they will some software to help you set them up with an IP address. Generally, you only need the software for the initial installation and setup. After that, you can access most via IP address, and they have a configuration page to open in a web browser. I would consider using a fixed IP address for the printer, instead of DHCP. Makes it simpler and avoids the possibility its IP will change after a restart. All give you this option.

I prefer HP print servers above anything else. Rock solid, and relatively simple to set up. Although they're pricey new, E-Bay is your friend and you can find them all the time for under $100.00 used.

AwDxTc · Post by **AwDxTc** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:45 pm

I agree I would go with a wired print server. If you are planning on using wireless through your house as well I would just connect all of your components as one. Mine is setup as follows:
-Linksys router which is uplinked to cable modem.(I use static IP's for all my comps connected to my network since RR which I have will let you connect three comps through DHCP)
-Both my netgear wireless router and switch run are connected to my linksys.
-My linksys print server is then connected to my netgear switch.

All you need to do is assign an ip to your printer and then map your printer to each computer you have connected to your network and whaalaa... network printing.