What do I need to share this USB printer?

[Civic2oo1x]

I have the HP Laserjet 1000 in my computer room and I also have two computers in this room. My gf doesn't like switching the USB cable all the time, so what do I need to share this USB printer to both? Is there some kind of HUB/Switch that will do this and also be a router? Or will I need two different components? Thanks.

 

[BCYL]

You can get a router, and setup a network between the 3 computers...

The router will act as a hub/switch, then you can plug your printer into 1 of the computers and setup network printers on the other boxes...

 

[TheCorm]

If you don't need the functionality of a router then a normal 4/5 port switch would be fine. Once it's all done, you go into printers, right click and click on sharing.

Corm

 

[Civic2oo1x]

Do both computers have to be on at the same time?

 

[Tallgeese]

Originally posted by: Civic2oo1x
Do both computers have to be on at the same time?

Yep...the computer sharing the printer has to be on for the other one to be able to print to the printer.

You can also use an HP print server, like the hp jetdirect 175x, which supports USB printers, to connect your LJ1000 to an Ethernet hub/switch. That would make it available all the time, without requiring both computers to be running.

 

[Mday]

a stand-alone print server option is the best, but it;s not worth it if there are only 2 computers in the "network", this option requires the existence of a network, which means network adapters for the PCs, a print server, and a hub (switch is preferable, router is not meant to do this) not to mention the cables you need.

if you setup a 2 pc network, you can forgo the hub, and use a crossover cable, which directly connects 2 PCs ONLY in a small network. once the network is properly set up (workgroups etc) you can share the printer. the computer that the printer is directly connected to is taking the role of being a print server (as opposed to being stand-alone) and has to be on at all times the other PC requires something printed. here only the network adapters, and a crossover cable is needed. as well as the electricity...

there is another option, you can get a usb switch, this is a little box with a switch that changes what computer the printer is connected to... the switch is either a physical switch you click, or an electronic one that is "smart".. you will need extra cables for this as well... there is also a parallel port option for those printers that use the parallel port

summary:
1st paragraph: standalone print server is the best option, needs time to set up, NO maintenance, expensive
2nd paragraph: PC as the print server, cheapest, needs less time to set up, minor maintenance since the PC has to be on
3rd paragraph: usb switch, cheap, no time to set up, high maintenance to minor maintenance depending on the switch

ALSO:
some printers have USB and parallel port, the printer may be able to be shared if one PC uses the usb, and the other uses the parallel port. this requires only ONE pc to print to the server at any time. and this may not work at all, but is worth investigating since it's cheaper than those more sophisticated options. (cost = buying a cable)

ps:

once you have made up your mind, if it involves networking, and you need help, go to the networking forum to ask questions, continuing this thread wont help =)

 

[Tallgeese]

Originally posted by: Mday
a stand-alone print server option is the best, but it;s not worth it if there are only 2 computers in the "network", this option requires the existence of a network, which means network adapters for the PCs, a print server, and a hub (switch is preferable, router is not meant to do this) not to mention the cables you need.

Ummm...no disrespect, but his original post assumes there will be some kind of network.
He asked:

Is there some kind of HUB/Switch that will do this and also be a router?

To me, that spells network, since he wants a router (ostensibly to share Internet connection, altho not explicitly stated).

IMHO, you're right, in that dedicated print servers are expen$ive and tough to justify for only two computers.
That is, until your wife/gf/whatever can't print something she needs ASAP for school/work/whatever and you get the frantic call at the office/gym/wherever to get it working NOW!

Suddenly, an "always-on" print sharing solution doesn't seem so expen$ive after all.

USB switches and the way they actually work (how signal is transmitted, power draws, etc.) varies so widely....I don't recommend them to clients for printer sharing. They end up having to unplugged, turned off, all devices unplugged, then switch powered on, devices plugged back in, etc. etc.

And:

once you have made up your mind, if it involves networking, and you need help, go to the networking forum to ask questions, continuing this thread wont help =)

Agreed. We'd be more than happy to lend some advice over there.