printer server recommendation

[Jean]

Happy New Year everyone,

I already have a LAN setup at home with cable modem, netgear router and everything is working properly. It is too inconvenient to turn two computer on just to print a few pages and turn them off. I am wondering if anyone of you use a stable, reliable and easy to setup printer server for your SOHO server. If so, your input (Brand name and model number) is greatly appreciated.

 

[thermite88]

A good print server from HP or Intel, the two most popular brand, will probably set you back $100+.

I use the SMC Barricade 7004BR broadband router, which has a built-in print server. I have been very happy with it both as router and print server.

The SMC router is typically $79 at the net, but I got mine for $49 with a MIR. Selling your Netgear and buying a SMC is probably cheaper than a print server.

If you still want a separate print server, check Ebay for possible good deal. Before you buy, go to the manufacturer's web site to check support first. Avoid a print server model which is too old to get new support for OS.

 

[heartsurgeon]

i agree with thermite88, the cheapest way to get a printer server seems to be to get a switch or router that has a printer server built in. i got a 4 port linksys switch with an integrated two port printer server for cheap. lots less than getting a printer server alone. don't ask me why. the smc router souinds like a good way to go as well (no personal experience with it however). i looked at printer servers on ebay, but by the time you add up the cost, the shipping, etc, hard to beat the price of the linksys or smc.

 

[BreakApart]

This is what i use on my home LAN --> Linky

EFSP42 - EtherFast® Switched 2-Port Print Server w/ 4 port switch built-in. $114 @ buy.com

My setup at home is:
Cable-modem to
Netgear router then 1 cable runs to the far side of my house where my PCs are to
EFSP42 connected to 3 PCs, laserjet, and color inkjet.

Regardless what computer/OS i am using i have full print and network resources. Makes life so much easier....

 

[GreenGecko]

I would go with a SMC Barricade 7004BR or 7004ABR Router as both have a built in print server.

Good Luck.

 

[Jean]

BreakApart: could you please e-mail me the connection that you are currently running for the print server? I have problem to phisically picture it where the print server are going to be in my network.

I had three computer and one printer. My current setting is:

1. Cable modem -> Netgear RT314 Wan Port -> Netgear Port #1 -> Computer #1 (Dual PII 266, 396MB RAM, 30GB IBM GXP75, SMC EZ 10/100 Ethernet card) Ethernet.
2. Netgear port # 2 -> Computer #2 (TBIRDS 800, 256MB MUHSKIN HI-PERF. II CAS 2, 30GB IBM 75GXP & 40GB IBM 60GN, Intel Pro100+ ethernet card) Ethernet card (the HP Deskjet hook up to this computer)
3. Netgear port #3 -> Computer #3 (Inspiron 8K, 512MB RAM, Actiontech 10/100 modem/ethernet combo, 20GB TOSHIBA)

Questions:
A. How many port (Lan and Parallel) do I need for the print server?
B. Where is the Print server locate (1, 2 or 3) in my current setting?
C. The printer will be hooked up to the parallel printer port server. What RJ45 Printer sever port do I use to hook up to the Netgear port #4?

Thanks in advance for your time and help.

jchennj@hotmail.com

 

[oldfart]

You mention HP Deskjet. Better check on compatibility. I hooked up a SMC router w/print server and it wouldn't work. I called SMC and found that there are *some* HP printers that wont work with it. The one I was working with was among them. I wound up getting an HP Jetdirect and it works fine. Whatever you decide to get, check to be sure your printer will work with it.

 

[BreakApart]

<< Questions:
A. How many port (Lan and Parallel) do I need for the print server?
B. Where is the Print server locate (1, 2 or 3) in my current setting?
C. The printer will be hooked up to the parallel printer port server. What RJ45 Printer sever port do I use to hook up to the Netgear port #4? >>




Here use this image so you can see how it connects --> Linky

You have a number of choices for the setup (based on your questions)
(A) only need 1 port from the router to connect the switch/print server
(B) you could connect it (3) different ways
--keep everything connected to the netgear just like it is, just connect the print server to port #4 it will work just fine
--connect (1) port from the netgear to the print server and use the print servers (4) ports, to connect your computers
--connect the print server to ANY (1) port that a computer currently uses, set it up near that computer and connect just that computer directly to the print server.
(C) the parallel ports on the print server go directly to the printers you will use

Any of these setups will make the print server appear on the network just like another PC would. Load the print server software, so the PCs can see it on the network then setup the printers.

 

[Damascus]

I got a laser printer hooked up to the parallel port on my SMC7004ABR 4-port
router. Works great.

 

[Jean]

Oldfart: thanks for the info. Based on a telephone conversation with Linksys tech, I have to wait another month or se for Win2K and XP driver for the print server. I will double check to see if my printer will work with their print server.

Breakapart: thank you for your detail information. I can picture it now.

Thanks everyone for your time and help.