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Message |
    
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 855
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 8:04 am: |     |
Is it better to add a print server or to use print sharing? I have multiple computer networked and want to add two printers to our home network. Thanks in advance |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 782
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 8:38 pm: | |
If you use print sharing, you will have to keep the computer that the printers are attached to running all the time.
Print servers are usually harder to set up.
I have a dedicated Win2003 Server that is running all the time, so I'm using printer sharing.
Many print servers don't support printer feedback to the computer, like ink levels, etc.
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1716
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 9:15 pm: | |
Our printer has its own network card and therefore its own IP address. So, any of the computers on the network can use it without any of the other computers being on. No print server needed. You do have to purchase the network card for the printer, however, if it doesn't already have one. |
Rick B
Citizen
Username: Ruck1977
Post Number: 406
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 8:19 am: | |
printers that have network cards too (in my experience) are typically a bit more expensive. I would attach your printer to the computer that is on most often in the house and share it through there. |
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 856
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 11:06 am: | |
Great thanks, think I will go the print share route and see how it works.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 4834
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 5:31 pm: | |
I have TWO spare print servers I will sell cheap. It turns out they don't speak Appletalk, which was a requirement for me. I am using a print server that speaks Appletalk, since we have a system that runs Mac OS 9.
I prefer the print server method. You never know when your computer attached to the printer will go down, and it could be down for a while, and then no one can print. It can be a big problem.
I don't think setting up print servers is very hard, generally speaking. Setting up sharing is usually easy but it also can get complicated. |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 439
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 1:32 am: | |
You could always build your own print server,
http://pigtail.net/LRP/printsrv/
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 4844
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 12:13 pm: | |
Monster, this is a good idea for some, but only a few. It assumes you can get an old computer cheap or free. It also ignores the cost of running such a system. Little tiny special purpose boxes use a lot less power than old, general purpose computers.
Then again, you could use the computer during the heating season and reduce your heating bill by running the computer. And you could use the more power-conserving box in the summer.  |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 441
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 12:28 pm: | |
I wasn't really being serious, though it could make a great foot warmer.
Another option is to take a look at whatever router you may have, the SMC Barricade I have has a print server as part of the package, http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewProduct&localeCode=EN_USA&cid=1&scid=3&pi d=881
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 4845
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 12:35 pm: | |
That's one sexy gadget! I'm pretty sure boxes with all those features didn't exist a year and a half ago when I bought my router. |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 442
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 1:27 pm: | |
I've had the Barricade for at least 3 years now,
a few months ago I got the Buffalo WBR2-G54 for $9.99, http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=11&categoryid=6
It was a great deal, and I thought the SMC might be on its last legs (it kept losing the connection), but wouldn't you know it...ever since I got the Buffalo the SMC has been working flawlessly.
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