Printer sharing or networked printer?

**K-B** · 02-25-2009, 04:59 AM

My laser printer is network capable (has a ethernet port on it to connect it to a router). Right now, I am not using that capability, rather it is just connected to my computer via USB. If I wanted to share this printer with other computers on a network, what would be the advantage of connecting it to the router (adding it to the network) vs. simply allowing access to it as a shared printer on the network, leaving it directly connected to one computer?

h2osmack · 02-25-2009, 05:20 AM

One main advantage is that you wouldn't need the PC it is connected to to be powered on when you want to print from another PC.
Connecting it to a router centralises the printer in the network so only the router needs to be working.
A disadvatage though would be you may have less choice of where to put the printer physically if your connecting it by a wire. If you have a wireless router in the middle of your house for best coverage then your printer is gonna be in the middle of your house. This may not be a problem.
One thing i'de advise you to check out is whether your printer supports bi-directional. This is where you can send and recieve data from the printer, not just send. I kept having to plug my networked printer into my computer to see if I needed new ink (and which ones) because I could only send data to the printer.

**K-B** · 02-25-2009, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2osmack

One main advantage is that you wouldn't need the PC it is connected to to be powered on when you want to print from another PC.
Connecting it to a router centralises the printer in the network so only the router needs to be working.
A disadvatage though would be you may have less choice of where to put the printer physically if your connecting it by a wire. If you have a wireless router in the middle of your house for best coverage then your printer is gonna be in the middle of your house. This may not be a problem.
One thing i'de advise you to check out is whether your printer supports bi-directional. This is where you can send and recieve data from the printer, not just send. I kept having to plug my networked printer into my computer to see if I needed new ink (and which ones) because I could only send data to the printer.

Thanks!
Running a cable to it shouldn't be a problem in it's current location. I'm pretty sure it supports bi-directional, but I'll have to check for sure.

02-25-2009, 04:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
K-B Mod. Linux, Wrench Turner Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,891 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Printer sharing or networked printer? My laser printer is network capable (has a ethernet port on it to connect it to a router). Right now, I am not using that capability, rather it is just connected to my computer via USB. If I wanted to share this printer with other computers on a network, what would be the advantage of connecting it to the router (adding it to the network) vs. simply allowing access to it as a shared printer on the network, leaving it directly connected to one computer? __________________

02-25-2009, 05:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
h2osmack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Notlob Posts: 51 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3, Windows Vista 32bit SP1, Ubuntu 9.04 JJ	Re: Printer sharing or networked printer? One main advantage is that you wouldn't need the PC it is connected to to be powered on when you want to print from another PC. Connecting it to a router centralises the printer in the network so only the router needs to be working. A disadvatage though would be you may have less choice of where to put the printer physically if your connecting it by a wire. If you have a wireless router in the middle of your house for best coverage then your printer is gonna be in the middle of your house. This may not be a problem. One thing i'de advise you to check out is whether your printer supports bi-directional. This is where you can send and recieve data from the printer, not just send. I kept having to plug my networked printer into my computer to see if I needed new ink (and which ones) because I could only send data to the printer.