networking an all in one printer

[fractilian]

Hi all. I have a all in one printer(printer scaner copy fax). I would like to hook it up to a print server but I am not sure if that is possable. I don't want to scan over the network. I just want to share the printing abilities with my network while still being able to scan on the main computer. I dont keep the computer runnen 24-7 so I cant just share the printer through windows. Most of the computers are W2K and one with Win ME. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[JackMDS]

If All in One is Not Network able you can use USB printer server (Linksys, D-link and others make it). Usually you can use the Fax when it is installed to the Network since it can work directly through the phone and does not need the Network.

As far as the scanner goes it will not work through the network. You can first install the printer on the computer that you intend to scan into, doing so will make the drivers and software available for the printer. Then install the printer with USB server as a Network printer.

When the scanner part is needed, unplug the unit from the server and plug to the computer.

:sun:

 

[InlineFive]

What kind of printer do you have and how many ports does it have? For example:

One USB port: Do as JackMDS suggests, there is no other option.
Two USB ports: Plug your main computer into one port and your network printer server into the other.
One USB and one Parallel port: Plug your main computer into the USB port and buy a parallel port printer server for the parallel port. This is because printing will work at decent speeds with parallel but scanning would crawl.

!

 

[fractilian]

thanks for the ideas. It only has one USB port. I was hoping that someone made some sort of pass through usb device or a reverse hub.
Thanks for reading and putting in your two cents.