Print servers?

[jammi]

might sound dumb but I want to use my canon usb all-in-one printer on my network what do I need a print server? how does it work, as atm I just have it connected to the fileserver and shared on the network but thats in the loft :(

[andyn]

If you have a PC you keep switched on all the time (whether a file server or just a regular windows PC) you should be able to just plug the printer into that and share it. If you don't have something fitting that description then yeah, you'll want a print server.

[jammi]

as i said above it is connected to the fileserver atm and shared that way but its a pain to go pick up you printouts from the loft, with a print server would i have access to the scanner function?

[michaelkenward]

just plug the printer into that and share it....

In other words, just share the printer in Windows.

Just how that works depends on your version of Windows.

[jammi]

In other words, just share the printer in Windows.

Just how that works depends on your version of Windows.

I get that but I should have been more clear, all my 24/7 on pc's are in the loft and via shared printer I can use the scanner and printer atm, its a pain to get the loft ladder down climb up scan or print something off. So was wondering if a print server would act like my current setup, windows shared printer?

[Sarky]

I had a netgear print server, was literally a switch with two USB ports, so you could use one of those and put it in a more convenient place along with your printer. I can't remember the model for it though.

[IanS]

Personally, for the price they can be had for now, I'd just buy a new wireless printer. Probably won't cost much more than a decent print server.

[doctorfonz]

Personally, for the price they can be had for now, I'd just buy a new wireless printer. Probably won't cost much more than a decent print server.

I would tend to agree with IanS here, but another option is to buy a print server dongle thingy... for want of a better description it has a USB socket on one side, and an ethernet on the other. -Dlink do them for a reasonable price, and so routers are starting to come with them inbuilt. Plug in an pray (sorry, it's play nowadays)

[jammi]

True, then again I sometimes find its cheaper to buy a new printer then get ink for my current canon, may just try to find a nice b&w network laser.

[Hax]

Run a long usb cable? Might need repeater(s).

If you choose to go with the network print server, make sure it can support your scanning function etc for your current printer.

[Faz]

IIRC USB is limited to 5 metres?? Or just loses power...

[doctorfonz]

IIRC USB is limited to 5 metres?? Or just loses power...

does it not depend on whether the device is powered from mains or not? or am i talking twaddle?

[Faz]

Could be, I just remember plugging a webcam with about 5 extension, and Windows saying there isn't enough power to run the device. So that sounds quite feasible.

edit:
Well thanks google



The maximum length of a standard USB cable (for USB 2.0 or earlier) is 5 metres (16.4 ft).[34] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#cite_note-faq-33) The primary reason for this limit is the maximum allowed round-trip delay of about 1,500 ns. If USB host commands are unanswered by the USB device within the allowed time, the host considers the command lost.