print server that handles status monitoring? handles a scanner?

[JimS]

Maybe I'm asking too much of consumer equipment (and I'm not willing to buy pro equipment), but I'm looking for a printer server that handles multiple printers AND allows the computer to monitor the printer's status as if it was directly attached. My first printer is a Brother HL-5150 laser and I couldn't care less if I could get status from that, as anything that went wrong would be indicated by the lights on it. My second printer is a Canon Pixma iP4600 photo inkjet, and I pretty much NEED status monitoring on it, because it's the only easy way to tell if the ink is getting low. But so far, reviews for all the cheap print servers I've looked at say that they don't support status monitoring.

My second question is much more unlikely, but, is there any printer server that would also allow me to access an Epson Perfection 1260 scanner remotely? (Yeah, I know, I should just buy a network-ready multifunction printer, but I don't think my girlfriend would approve of getting rid of a bunch of working cheap equipment to buy something else, but she'd like to not have my desktop system running 24/7 as a server either.)

It would be ideal if someone would just make a box that acts as a remote USB port rather than trying to be a printer server itself, but I've never heard of such a thing. Why don't they do that?

 

[Nocturnal]

We use a Windows Server box for our print server. Not sure if you have access to one but if you do, set it up as a print server and you get all the monitoring that you need.

 

[gsaldivar]

Many modern networkable printers have embedded webpage that you can simply point a web browser to and check ink status, jobs printed, etc.

I use CUPS which is a linux-based print server that is part of the eBox distro for high volume printer management. However this solution might not support many USB printers:

An old spare computer should serve nicely as a server, and provide any office printing numerous large documents (law offices, accounting offices... etc) with a noticeable improvement in productivity.

Good luck!

http://www.cups.org/
http://www.ebox-platform.com/
http://www.howtoforge.com/running-a-file-and-print-server-with-ebox-on-ubuntu8.04-server

 

[JimS]

Guys? What part of "don't want a full-blown computer on 24/7 as a server, don't want to buy a new printer" didn't come across in my original message? If there's no solution, fine, but neither of you has proposed one that addresses what I said.

 

[gsaldivar]

Guys? What part of "don't want a full-blown computer on 24/7 as a server, don't want to buy a new printer" didn't come across in my original message? If there's no solution, fine, but neither of you has proposed one that addresses what I said.

I read your post and provided one possible solution. A dedicated 24/7 computer is one way (but not the only way) to run CUPS...

With all due respect, "enthusiastic" responses like yours are the reason why people who know how to do things, don't always rush to help out people who don't... 🙂

 

[imagoon]

It would be ideal if someone would just make a box that acts as a remote USB port rather than trying to be a printer server itself, but I've never heard of such a thing. Why don't they do that?

http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp#models

Giving virtual servers USB ports for years.

 

[JackMDS]

With 3rd party printer servers, you will be lucky if you just get basic printing.
Lo and behold having all the functions including Monitoring supported.

In fact, there are hardly any new releases of 3rd party printer servers since there is No point in buying iffy product that cost half of the price of a full Network ready printer.

My rule is if something is functionally important, you pay for a solution.
You do not want the pay, it a Signe that you do not generate anything of value with it and thus it is not important.


😎

 

[seepy83]

http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp#models

Giving virtual servers USB ports for years.

But the AnywhereUSB device can only be used with 1 host.

The problem the OP has is that he need to manage and share his printers between multiple computers, but does not want one of the computers to be running 24/7 to operate as a print server.

OP - There are dozens of USB print servers on the market, but I've never used any of them so I can't comment.

Best solution is to save money and buy a multi-function printer that has a built in NIC / print server. Then just point your hosts to it via TCP/IP printer port.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

But the AnywhereUSB device can only be used with 1 host.

The problem the OP has is that he need to manage and share his printers between multiple computers, but does not want one of the computers to be running 24/7 to operate as a print server.

OP - There are dozens of USB print servers on the market, but I've never used any of them so I can't comment.

Best solution is to save money and buy a multi-function printer that has a built in NIC / print server. Then just point your hosts to it via TCP/IP printer port.

The solution is simple, he doesnt want a full blown print server running 24/7 so he either has to deal with the shit solutions out there or suck it up and go server.

Bottom line, he wants tons of features cheaply and it isnt going to happen. Him being rude about it doesnt help either.

 

[imagoon]

But the AnywhereUSB device can only be used with 1 host.

The problem the OP has is that he need to manage and share his printers between multiple computers, but does not want one of the computers to be running 24/7 to operate as a print server.

OP - There are dozens of USB print servers on the market, but I've never used any of them so I can't comment.

Best solution is to save money and buy a multi-function printer that has a built in NIC / print server. Then just point your hosts to it via TCP/IP printer port.

You can install the driver on multiple computers. I wouldn't really recommend it but I can be done. First computer that connects gets full access like it is attached. You can disconnect in the Digi control panel etc. What you said is the 'correct' way though. There is no standard for "USB Printers" as such look at the level of Linux support for them... it is often pretty spotty. As such most USB print servers only work with a select few models.