Have any of you used print servers for personal use?

[johnjbruin]

We have a decent laser printer at home but it only has a parallel port. I want to set it up so that all the people in my house can use it without having to turn on my computer.

Have any of you used print servers that connect parallel port printers to a network and sort of make them a network printer?

Something like this I guess: http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4095892

Have you used anything like this before. Which one would you recommend?

 

[drnickriviera]

I just setup a linux print server on a old Cyrix P166. Runs like a champ, no need for a HD, runs from floppy

http://www.pigtail.net/LRP/printsrv/
I plan on adding a second parallel port to add another printer to the network

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
I just setup a linux print server on a old Cyrix P166. Runs like a champ, no need for a HD, runs from floppy

http://www.pigtail.net/LRP/printsrv/
I plan on adding a second parallel port to add another printer to the network

that is pretty neat.

i would give it a try but i dont have a old computer sitting around - and i sorta wanted to turn off the computer while leaving the printer on the network.

 

[Batti]

These work well - Netgear PS101

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: Batti
These work well - Netgear PS101

I was reading that some of these(similar ones too) might have issues with non-postscript printers. We have an HP LaserJet 1100 and I am wondering if that will work with these.

 

[oboeguy]

I setup the folks with something like this a while back (forget exactly which, but that was the brand). Works great, no problems since setup more than a year ago.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I've used 3 different home routers with print servers and they've all worked great. Cheap too.

SMC ABR7004
SMC 2804WBRP-G
D-Link DI-704P

 

[EyeMWing]

I've never had more than whining and complaining and problems out of so-called print servers. Documents like to get stuck in the queue until you hard reset them. A proper share on a Windows box, or a *nix server, or a printer with onboard NIC are the only way to go as far as I'm concerned.

 

[johnjbruin]

Thanks guys. I am gonna go to Fry's tomorrow and see if i can pick one up.