winkingtiger
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Network Copier
I am looking to purchase a copier that is able to join a network. I noticed that many available have USB as a way to connect to a PC. I want to know if it possible to use USB to connect to a network without having to connect it to one PC. Also, could you direct me to some sites that have good pricing on copiers for around $300-$500. Thank you.
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USB does not run correctly as a stand-alone device. Remember, USB is SERIAL, so it is designed to be connected to a serial port of a PC, even if it is USB. So NO, you cannot get USB devices to work reliably as stand alone devices. They need to be connected to a PC, or perhaps to a USB hub with an ethernet interface.
USB requires a "master" device, and the copier won't be it. A PC would be; a print server *might* be. A USB hub won't be.
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it is possible to have a networked pc without a sharing host if you have a printer with a network interface card attached to it!.
I dont think its really possible to have a network printer without having it connected to some sort of a pc that would altleast act as the sharing 'host' for the rest of the systems on the network. And thats especially for a usb printer.You could setup a print terminal with a single pc connected to the printer and on the network to share the printer out with the other user stations.
Here's list of low cost printers that you could look at and compare prices :http://www.bizrate.com/copiers/pid6630201/compareprices.html . I'd just shop around different stores and give them the specifications of what you need and your price range. There's lots of laserjet printers that will connect via usb.
thanks, Techman79