USB Print Server Configurations
A USB print
server can be configured in 3 different ways, all of these have
pluses and minuses.
1. Using a pc as a
printing server
When a USB Printer is connected to a computer it can simply be
shared with any other computers on the same network. Range is
not an issue as the actual connection is shared through a
network technology such as RJ45 type cable or Wifi, which offers
more flexibility than a USB cable. On the downside the computer
sharing the printer has to be left on when you need to print
from any other computer.
2. USB print
sharing/server box
From here you can generally connect up to 3 computers to one
printer, the boxes then switches to any computer wishing to
print. This type of printing setup does enable us to print
independently of other computers, but you are limited by the USB
cable restrictions, plus it’s an extra cable, unless you already
have a USB type network in place.
3. USB to RJ45 Jet
Direct box
This offer the best of all worlds, no restrictions on cable
lengths as it allows you to connect your USB printer into an
RJ45 type network, you can print independently of any other
computers.
Whatever printer you
need to share it’s worth making sure exactly what can be shared,
many PSC or printer scanner copiers will lose a lot of the
functionality to other computers when shared, and may only offer
pure printer functionality.
If you are looking
for a printer and you would like to network it, the easiest
solution is to look for one with a dedicated RJ45 network port,
it may cost more in the short term, but it will offer more in
terms of shared functionality.
Checkout our other
articles for more information
Checkout alternatives to a USB print
server
computer adviser
usb print server article |
