USB printer + USB nic = network printer?

[palidor]

just got one of those $70 lexmark e210 laser printers, and i was wondering whether or not a usb nic attached to this thing would make it work like a network printer

i'm thinking not, but for some reason it seems like it might just work..which is why i am asking

thanks,

jason

 

[sohcrates]

well, USB cables have 2 different ends i do believe...

and i see where you're going, but it seems to me that you would end up trying to connect them with ends that don't fit

(i.e. the end that's meant for a usb port would be trying to plug into the printer, which is not a usb port such as would be found on a computer)

follow?

so i personally don't think you could do it, plus there'd be no real way to install drivers.

good thought though!

 

[LethalWolfe]

<< well, USB cables have 2 different ends i do believe... >>



It depends. If the USB cable is also providing power to the device then both ends will match. If the USB cable is not providing power then the ends will not match. IIRC they called are A->A and A->B cables, respectively.

And I don't think that slapping a USB NIC on the printer is going to work 'cause, as mentioned before, there is no way to install drives to tell the NIC what to do. But you could, I believe, buy a hub and plug the printer and all the computers into the hub.


Lethal

 

[Wolfsraider]

my network printer is hooked up by usb to my computer and shared by crossover cable to another computer nic to nic in xp both share the printer but are connected by nic cards


hope this helps

 

[Pauli]

I have a 4-port USB switch that I got for US$29 to share a USB printer between 3 computers. I don't think a regular USB Hub will allow you to do this.

 

[kehi]

where can you get that printer for $70. PLease lmk

 

[Sukhoi]

No way, how's the USB NIC going to pick up an IP when it's not even connected to a computer? You need some type of print server to connect a printer directly to a network.