Dedicated Network Printer

[Guest]

Hello to all,


I want to be able to have my old HP Laserjet 4 printer always available for
printing from client machines.

I read somewhere that this can be done if I simply plug the Laserjet data
cable into my existing wireless router.

It seems I'll need some kind of adapter for the printer though because the
router takes a network cable, but the printer only has serial and parallel
output ports.

What hardware do I need to make the Laserjet a dedicated printer on the
router?

-A

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I want to be able to have my old HP Laserjet 4 printer always
available for printing from client machines.

I read somewhere that this can be done if I simply plug the Laserjet
data cable into my existing wireless router.

It seems I'll need some kind of adapter for the printer though
because the router takes a network cable, but the printer only has
serial and parallel output ports.

What hardware do I need to make the Laserjet a dedicated printer on
the router?

You need a device called a "Print Server."

 

[Malke]

Hello to all,


I want to be able to have my old HP Laserjet 4 printer always
available for printing from client machines.

I read somewhere that this can be done if I simply plug the Laserjet
data cable into my existing wireless router.

It seems I'll need some kind of adapter for the printer though because
the router takes a network cable, but the printer only has serial and
parallel output ports.

What hardware do I need to make the Laserjet a dedicated printer on
the router?

-A

Look for a JetDirect network adapter on eBay. If you try and buy it new
from HP, you might as well just buy a new laser printer.

Malke

 

[beb]

A wireless print server will do. One which support USB or Parallel or both.
You might be able to add a jetdirect network card to the printer if you
prefer to plug it into the router using a network cable.

 

[Guest]

Thanks to all for replying. I got some very good and interesting feedback and
it looks like I have two options available. You have helped me tremendously


-A

 

[Chuck]

Besides a print server, you could attach the printer to a pc that is always
on and share the printer through your network. The downside is that the PC
attached to the printer would always need to be on, if anyone else want to
print to it.

Go with a print server.

 

[Talahasee]

Thanks to all for replying. I got some very good and interesting feedback and
it looks like I have two options available. You have helped me tremendously

Save the friggin' rhetoric, and send cash!

;-)

(glad we could help ya!)

Tallahassee