How can I get a network or USB printer on a wireless network?
If I wanted to be able to print without being directly attached to a printer in any physical way would that be possible if the printer is not wireless? Basically I want to be able to get a USB printer on a wireless network so that anyone could print to it.
Would a print server like this work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156036
Not too sure because it has the RJ45 and I won't be able to connect it to the LAN.
Would a print server like this work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156036
Not too sure because it has the RJ45 and I won't be able to connect it to the LAN.
Dave Baldwin
A USB printer attached to one of the computers on a network can be set up to be shared. I think that Apple's Airport hub has some USB capability. This Google search will show you a number of "Wireless USB Print Servers" : http://www.google.com/search?q=Wireless+USB+print+server
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A networked printer can simply be plugged into the wireless router - most of them have several RJ45 network ports. Your PC can then use WiFi to print to it.
A USB printer could be connected via a printserver, but there is a *big* gotcha. Most USB printers use the GDI protocol (they rely on the Windows graphics engine to convert the page into dots on the paper). GDI printers are very hard to network. They will *only* work with printservers that specifically support them. Look for a list of supported printers on the manufacturer's website. If your printer is not listed, assume that it will not work.
If you want to use a printserver, I suggest selecting one that supports a printer language, e.g. PCL5, PCL6, PostScript or ESC/P. Ignore any HP printers that support PCL3 - that is just one of their names for GDI.
DaveBaldwin's suggestion of using a PC is fine; that does not have the same problems as a printserver. However you then rely on that PC being powered up whenever you want to print.
If this is for office use, my suggestion is to always get a networked laser that supports PCL/PostScript. Anything else is trouble in the long run.
A USB printer could be connected via a printserver, but there is a *big* gotcha. Most USB printers use the GDI protocol (they rely on the Windows graphics engine to convert the page into dots on the paper). GDI printers are very hard to network. They will *only* work with printservers that specifically support them. Look for a list of supported printers on the manufacturer's website. If your printer is not listed, assume that it will not work.
If you want to use a printserver, I suggest selecting one that supports a printer language, e.g. PCL5, PCL6, PostScript or ESC/P. Ignore any HP printers that support PCL3 - that is just one of their names for GDI.
DaveBaldwin's suggestion of using a PC is fine; that does not have the same problems as a printserver. However you then rely on that PC being powered up whenever you want to print.
If this is for office use, my suggestion is to always get a networked laser that supports PCL/PostScript. Anything else is trouble in the long run.
ASKER
The printer is located in a different building than the router and switch so I can't get a physical connection over there either by power or network. I think the bridge would be the way to go as it would be cheaper than the print server and I could plug more devices in if necessary.
I'm glad you're going with a networked printer rather than USB.