New Toy: Printer Server

[lovekeiiy]

Got a new toy, per se. Got a new printer server. It's the D-Link DPR-1260. Pretty nice. It will allows me to take my extra computer from being the printer and file server. I plan on making it a file server which I will open some of it up to the net.

I didn't take any pictures. Here'a link on the info on it: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=482. Setting it up wasn't too hard. I had some trouble getting the wireless to work. For some reason, it had issues with setting up the wireless on my laptop using a wireless connection. I had to go to wired computer. It should be noted I use a belkin pre n router. The cool thing, one less wire running under the desk and in the wire spagetti.

Next project, after I get my second router for the DMZ area of my smoothie, setting up that FTP server, 8).

[Peench]

I've thought about these printer server options since we have two printers connected right now, but neither of them are connected to my main computer (one is connected to my file server and the other to my wife's computer). So if I want to print anything I need to have one of them on. I thought this might be an easy solution for everything. Hm. Now you have me intrigued on the subject again.

[Serren]

Costco has two very nice all-in-one HP model with built in networking. One is wireless and the other needs to attach to your router. I think they were priced around $180-$200.

A good deal if you need a printer and a print server I think.

[Peench]

Thanks for the info Serren. We have a nice HP All-in-One so I'd just need to connect it to the network somehow.

[lovekeiiy]

Not bad Peench. I personally don't care for the all in one printer. I just have a black and white laster printer (HP Lasetjet 1200), which I got about four years ago. Since 95% of what I print is just text and doesn't need color.

I wanted a one printer server, but this was cheaper.

And Peench, if you have a file server, do you ever turn it off? If not, why don't you connect both printer to it, and just share them over your LAN. It's what I was doing before the dedicate print server. I just had a PC that was always on; it would go in standby mode and wake when I need to print something.

[Peench]

I turn off my file server most of the time. The case I have it in is super loud and obnoxious. I suppose once this one dies I'll grab a quieter case and power supply and fans and then leave it running all the time. I'll also have to lock down my network if I do that.

[lovekeiiy]

Well in that case, it may be a good idea to get a print server. I like this one because I'm able to connect it wireless to my LAN. One less wire; didn't replace a wire. It seemed to have broad range of printers it could use. From what I read, some people had some issues getting the fax to work and the scanner. I"m sure some of that has been fixed with the firmware updates.

It was only a bonus for me to have the ability to run up to four USB printers. The wireless servers to require a wire connection to the LAN to do the initial setup; basically to setup the wireless LAN connection.

Other stuff I noticed from my reading, some servers have a parallel ports, some don't. So depending on your printers, that may be an issue. Another think I noticed was that these third parter servers offer a better price and features compared to the printer makers; HP had one for my printer (Jetdirect 175), but I was looking at having to spend about the $100 for used on Amazon, $150 for new, and didn't see how much they may have been going on ebay, they were still early in the bidding.

I understand the load computer thing though. I have two computers on all the time. One hardware firewall and computer that is a file server and was printer server. I took at one of the port hole fans in the second computer because a bearring went out in the fan.

My only complaint now is that I have almost no open electrical plugs in the office. I've got four power stips in there, and there is like three open plugs left in the whole office, LOL.