Wireless Printer Server recommendations? [closed]
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My town library has a wireless network in place. They want to relocate an existing USB printer connected to a PC to another location that's far away from any PCs. So connecting the printer to PC via a very long USB cable is not a great solution. The printer does not support WiFi only USB.
The only solution I see is to use a Wireless Print Server. Does anyone have recommendations? From reading a few reviews, these devices seem quirky and may not always work with every printer.
Besides a wireless print server, any other solutions?
wireless-networking printer
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
closed as off-topic by Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY Nov 19 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
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My town library has a wireless network in place. They want to relocate an existing USB printer connected to a PC to another location that's far away from any PCs. So connecting the printer to PC via a very long USB cable is not a great solution. The printer does not support WiFi only USB.
The only solution I see is to use a Wireless Print Server. Does anyone have recommendations? From reading a few reviews, these devices seem quirky and may not always work with every printer.
Besides a wireless print server, any other solutions?
wireless-networking printer
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
closed as off-topic by Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY Nov 19 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
It's not very clear on your question if this printer supports Wi-Fi. Could you please edit it?
– A Dwarf
Sep 25 '09 at 2:34
Clarified based on your suggestion.
– Sajee
Sep 25 '09 at 14:53
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
My town library has a wireless network in place. They want to relocate an existing USB printer connected to a PC to another location that's far away from any PCs. So connecting the printer to PC via a very long USB cable is not a great solution. The printer does not support WiFi only USB.
The only solution I see is to use a Wireless Print Server. Does anyone have recommendations? From reading a few reviews, these devices seem quirky and may not always work with every printer.
Besides a wireless print server, any other solutions?
wireless-networking printer
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
My town library has a wireless network in place. They want to relocate an existing USB printer connected to a PC to another location that's far away from any PCs. So connecting the printer to PC via a very long USB cable is not a great solution. The printer does not support WiFi only USB.
The only solution I see is to use a Wireless Print Server. Does anyone have recommendations? From reading a few reviews, these devices seem quirky and may not always work with every printer.
Besides a wireless print server, any other solutions?
wireless-networking printer
wireless-networking printer
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
edited Sep 25 '09 at 14:53
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
asked Sep 25 '09 at 1:35
Sajee
1,66462020
1,66462020
closed as off-topic by Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY Nov 19 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as off-topic by Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY Nov 19 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Keltari, Twisty Impersonator, fixer1234, Toto, K7AAY
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
It's not very clear on your question if this printer supports Wi-Fi. Could you please edit it?
– A Dwarf
Sep 25 '09 at 2:34
Clarified based on your suggestion.
– Sajee
Sep 25 '09 at 14:53
add a comment |
It's not very clear on your question if this printer supports Wi-Fi. Could you please edit it?
– A Dwarf
Sep 25 '09 at 2:34
Clarified based on your suggestion.
– Sajee
Sep 25 '09 at 14:53
It's not very clear on your question if this printer supports Wi-Fi. Could you please edit it?
– A Dwarf
Sep 25 '09 at 2:34
It's not very clear on your question if this printer supports Wi-Fi. Could you please edit it?
– A Dwarf
Sep 25 '09 at 2:34
Clarified based on your suggestion.
– Sajee
Sep 25 '09 at 14:53
Clarified based on your suggestion.
– Sajee
Sep 25 '09 at 14:53
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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up vote
1
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Based on my experience with WPS, Linksys make great products and I never had any issue with their WPS equipement.
I recommend you to check the WPSM54G that does a great job! Already installed a few for clients and it always work out straight out of the box with minimals configurations.
Check it out : http://www.linksysbycisco.com/CA/en/products/WPSM54G
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
I have one installed here at home - works great.
– Shannon Nelson
Oct 27 '09 at 5:44
add a comment |
up vote
0
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Many wi-fi routers and modems increasingly sport a USB port which support anything from a printer to a flash drive.
I have re-purposed an older TP-Link router to an access point with a printer connected.
But remember- much like the print servers sold by Linksys/HP/TP-Link et al, these work on the 'wireless USB' solution using a software that needs to be installed on each computer.
I use an older HP MFD in this way.
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You say you're using "an existing USB printer". The model and specs of the printer are crucial here.
Specifically, if the printer supports a Page Description language like PCL5, PCL6 or PostScript, then just about any printserver will do the job. That includes USB printer ports on some routers.
However, if the printer is a modern, low-cost, "host-based" printer (which uses the host PC to convert the page into dots on the paper) then things become a lot more difficult. These printers are notoriously hard to network and will typically only work with printservers that specifically support the printer. Reputable printserver manufacturers have a list of supported printers. If your printer is not on the list, you must assume it will not work. Host-based printers come under a variety of names, including GDI, PCL3 (no relation to PCL5/6), LIDL, etc.
Note that most USB-only printers are host-based. If you can provide your printer's model number I may be able to update this answer with recommended printservers.
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
Based on my experience with WPS, Linksys make great products and I never had any issue with their WPS equipement.
I recommend you to check the WPSM54G that does a great job! Already installed a few for clients and it always work out straight out of the box with minimals configurations.
Check it out : http://www.linksysbycisco.com/CA/en/products/WPSM54G
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
I have one installed here at home - works great.
– Shannon Nelson
Oct 27 '09 at 5:44
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
Based on my experience with WPS, Linksys make great products and I never had any issue with their WPS equipement.
I recommend you to check the WPSM54G that does a great job! Already installed a few for clients and it always work out straight out of the box with minimals configurations.
Check it out : http://www.linksysbycisco.com/CA/en/products/WPSM54G
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
I have one installed here at home - works great.
– Shannon Nelson
Oct 27 '09 at 5:44
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Based on my experience with WPS, Linksys make great products and I never had any issue with their WPS equipement.
I recommend you to check the WPSM54G that does a great job! Already installed a few for clients and it always work out straight out of the box with minimals configurations.
Check it out : http://www.linksysbycisco.com/CA/en/products/WPSM54G
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
Based on my experience with WPS, Linksys make great products and I never had any issue with their WPS equipement.
I recommend you to check the WPSM54G that does a great job! Already installed a few for clients and it always work out straight out of the box with minimals configurations.
Check it out : http://www.linksysbycisco.com/CA/en/products/WPSM54G
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
answered Sep 25 '09 at 15:14
Marc-Andre R.
1,46821316
1,46821316
I have one installed here at home - works great.
– Shannon Nelson
Oct 27 '09 at 5:44
add a comment |
I have one installed here at home - works great.
– Shannon Nelson
Oct 27 '09 at 5:44
I have one installed here at home - works great.
– Shannon Nelson
Oct 27 '09 at 5:44
I have one installed here at home - works great.
– Shannon Nelson
Oct 27 '09 at 5:44
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Many wi-fi routers and modems increasingly sport a USB port which support anything from a printer to a flash drive.
I have re-purposed an older TP-Link router to an access point with a printer connected.
But remember- much like the print servers sold by Linksys/HP/TP-Link et al, these work on the 'wireless USB' solution using a software that needs to be installed on each computer.
I use an older HP MFD in this way.
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Many wi-fi routers and modems increasingly sport a USB port which support anything from a printer to a flash drive.
I have re-purposed an older TP-Link router to an access point with a printer connected.
But remember- much like the print servers sold by Linksys/HP/TP-Link et al, these work on the 'wireless USB' solution using a software that needs to be installed on each computer.
I use an older HP MFD in this way.
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Many wi-fi routers and modems increasingly sport a USB port which support anything from a printer to a flash drive.
I have re-purposed an older TP-Link router to an access point with a printer connected.
But remember- much like the print servers sold by Linksys/HP/TP-Link et al, these work on the 'wireless USB' solution using a software that needs to be installed on each computer.
I use an older HP MFD in this way.
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
Many wi-fi routers and modems increasingly sport a USB port which support anything from a printer to a flash drive.
I have re-purposed an older TP-Link router to an access point with a printer connected.
But remember- much like the print servers sold by Linksys/HP/TP-Link et al, these work on the 'wireless USB' solution using a software that needs to be installed on each computer.
I use an older HP MFD in this way.
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
answered Nov 17 at 7:17
JAckBlack854
11
11
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You say you're using "an existing USB printer". The model and specs of the printer are crucial here.
Specifically, if the printer supports a Page Description language like PCL5, PCL6 or PostScript, then just about any printserver will do the job. That includes USB printer ports on some routers.
However, if the printer is a modern, low-cost, "host-based" printer (which uses the host PC to convert the page into dots on the paper) then things become a lot more difficult. These printers are notoriously hard to network and will typically only work with printservers that specifically support the printer. Reputable printserver manufacturers have a list of supported printers. If your printer is not on the list, you must assume it will not work. Host-based printers come under a variety of names, including GDI, PCL3 (no relation to PCL5/6), LIDL, etc.
Note that most USB-only printers are host-based. If you can provide your printer's model number I may be able to update this answer with recommended printservers.
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You say you're using "an existing USB printer". The model and specs of the printer are crucial here.
Specifically, if the printer supports a Page Description language like PCL5, PCL6 or PostScript, then just about any printserver will do the job. That includes USB printer ports on some routers.
However, if the printer is a modern, low-cost, "host-based" printer (which uses the host PC to convert the page into dots on the paper) then things become a lot more difficult. These printers are notoriously hard to network and will typically only work with printservers that specifically support the printer. Reputable printserver manufacturers have a list of supported printers. If your printer is not on the list, you must assume it will not work. Host-based printers come under a variety of names, including GDI, PCL3 (no relation to PCL5/6), LIDL, etc.
Note that most USB-only printers are host-based. If you can provide your printer's model number I may be able to update this answer with recommended printservers.
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
You say you're using "an existing USB printer". The model and specs of the printer are crucial here.
Specifically, if the printer supports a Page Description language like PCL5, PCL6 or PostScript, then just about any printserver will do the job. That includes USB printer ports on some routers.
However, if the printer is a modern, low-cost, "host-based" printer (which uses the host PC to convert the page into dots on the paper) then things become a lot more difficult. These printers are notoriously hard to network and will typically only work with printservers that specifically support the printer. Reputable printserver manufacturers have a list of supported printers. If your printer is not on the list, you must assume it will not work. Host-based printers come under a variety of names, including GDI, PCL3 (no relation to PCL5/6), LIDL, etc.
Note that most USB-only printers are host-based. If you can provide your printer's model number I may be able to update this answer with recommended printservers.
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
You say you're using "an existing USB printer". The model and specs of the printer are crucial here.
Specifically, if the printer supports a Page Description language like PCL5, PCL6 or PostScript, then just about any printserver will do the job. That includes USB printer ports on some routers.
However, if the printer is a modern, low-cost, "host-based" printer (which uses the host PC to convert the page into dots on the paper) then things become a lot more difficult. These printers are notoriously hard to network and will typically only work with printservers that specifically support the printer. Reputable printserver manufacturers have a list of supported printers. If your printer is not on the list, you must assume it will not work. Host-based printers come under a variety of names, including GDI, PCL3 (no relation to PCL5/6), LIDL, etc.
Note that most USB-only printers are host-based. If you can provide your printer's model number I may be able to update this answer with recommended printservers.
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
answered Nov 17 at 9:11
hdhondt
2,7102910
2,7102910
add a comment |
add a comment |
It's not very clear on your question if this printer supports Wi-Fi. Could you please edit it?
– A Dwarf
Sep 25 '09 at 2:34
Clarified based on your suggestion.
– Sajee
Sep 25 '09 at 14:53