PC as a print server?

[Greg Strong]

If I create a small network (i.e. 1 PC WinXP, 1 PC Linux) with a router,
does the router need to have a print server or can I use the PC with
WinXP Pro as a print server? TIA!

Regards,


Greg Strong

 

[Shenan Stanley]

If I create a small network (i.e. 1 PC WinXP, 1 PC Linux) with a
router, does the router need to have a print server or can I use the
PC with WinXP Pro as a print server? TIA!

Either.

 

[V Green]

The PC would be the better choice, as it has a hard drive
to spool print jobs to, thus returning control to whatever
app initiated the print job faster. It'll always need to be
on, though.

Routers that include printer ports don't have this kind
of internal storage, AFAIK

 

[NobodyMan]

The PC would be the better choice, as it has a hard drive
to spool print jobs to, thus returning control to whatever
app initiated the print job faster. It'll always need to be
on, though.

Routers that include printer ports don't have this kind
of internal storage, AFAIK

Using a PC as your print server will cause that PC to slow down when
it is running foreign print jobs. Depending on the frequency it gets
print requests, and how complicated the jobs are, it can be hardly
noticeable to the point where you are ready to beat down the guy who
keeps printing that 200 slide PowerPoint presentation that is full of
graphics and complicated as can be.