Wireless Print Server
"I have a printer that I want to connect to my wireless network, but the printer does not have wireless capability -- just a USB connection. Is there a gadget I can buy to allow my printer to connect wirelessly?"
What is a Wireless Print Server?
Yes, a wireless print server will do the trick, effectively converting a standard USB-only printer to a wireless printer. Some printers, like my HP Officejet Pro L7780 have wireless capability built in, so they can connect directly to a wireless router. That allows me to put the printer anywhere in my house, and print to it from any computer, without running miles of USB or networking cabling all over the place.
But if your printer has just a wired USB connect option, and you want to connect the printer wirelessly to one, two, or more computers, then you have these options:
- OPTION ONE is to connect the printer to one of the computers directly, with the USB cable. You can then share the printer, making it accessible to other computers on your network, such as a wireless laptop. (See my article Wireless Printing for detailed instructions on how to configure shared printing on your home network.) In this scenario, when you print from the wireless laptop, your data stream goes from the laptop to the network router, to the other computer, and then to the wired printer. It works fine in most cases, but it does require that the computer with the printer be always powered on.
- OPTION TWO is to use a wireless print server. In a nutshell, you connect the wireless print server to your printer's USB port, and then connect the print server to your network, either by ethernet cable, or wirelessly. The wireless option lets you put your printer wherever you want to, without having to run cables, and without the need to keep a second computer powered on all the time.
Some Wireless Print Servers
The Linksys Wireless-G Multifunction PrintServer is designed to allow multiple users to print anytime, or have exclusive use of fax, copy, or scan functions. The Setup Wizard helps make installation easy, and your wireless data is protected with encryption. This model, compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista, has a three megabyte print buffer that will handle large graphics-intensive print jobs. It retails for around US$99, you can find it for less at many online outlets.
Other wireless print servers include the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless Print Server, and the HP Wireless G Print Server, which both retail for US$79.
If you are looking for an internal wireless print server that is compatible with HP printers then the HP Jetdirect 690N Wireless Print Server is a good, but expensive option. It retails for over $400. It is compatible with wireless 802.11g networks and Fast Ethernet networks so you do have some flexibility in your networking options. For this model to work for your office you will need an HP printer that has an open EIO slot. If you are not technically inclined then you will also need a technician to install this wireless print server for you. This means added cost to the already high price tag, but the quality and dependability of this model may be worth the investment for larger offices.
Got something to say about wireless print servers? Post your comment or question below...
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Posted by Bob Rankin on July 2, 2009 09:16 PM
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- Wireless Print Server (Posted: July 2, 2009 09:16 PM)
Source: http://askbobrankin.com/wireless_print_server.html
Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
Most recent comments on "Wireless Print Server"
Posted by:
John Griner
03 Jul 2009
I have HP printer and I use a Bluutooth Adapter with my laptop, which is also Bluetooth inabled, and it works fine for me. I think it cost around $25.00. No problems so far. Thanks, John Griner
Posted by:
John
03 Jul 2009
We have 2 old "snowball" iMacs hardwired to our Linksys G wireless router. One is connected via usb to an HP Laserjet 1300, a 2-yr-old macbook, and a 2009 iMac which is hardwired to a Canon MP830 inkjet all-in-one. Can print to either one from each printer. We try to print B/W to the HP due to the cost of Canon color inkjet.
Posted by:
Steve Stephenson
03 Jul 2009
How do I connect the Print server (which is hardwired via USB to my printer). I am using a wireless connection employing a USB adaptor from my PC to my ADSL modem.
It is correct to think that there needs to be a wireless connection setup from Printer server to ADSL wireless modem, how do I configure the PrintServer, does it need a usb connection or is there a simple method I'm not able to understand.
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can connect the print server to your router with a network cable, or a wireless connection.
Posted by:
Harry Geist
05 Jul 2009
If your printer is actually a multi-function device, you may find that a wireless print server only allows you to share the print function on your wireless network, not the scan or fax function.
Posted by:
Mark Jacobs
09 Jul 2009
I have a FritzBox router which has 1 usb plug but can support up to 3 usb devices with a hub. I have a printer, and 2 external drives plugged into it. It's a little funky to access as only one computer can access a device at a time but for home use that's usually not a big problem. Although we sometimes have to ask each other to release the printer or back-up drive so we can use it. Keeping a computer on all the time as a server is a very energy-inefficient solution.