Combo wireless switch and print server better than separates?

Is a combo wireless switch and print server better
overall than using a separate switch and separate print
server?

Is there less potential problem with an all in one box?

If yes..... and advice on a good combo unity?

(E-Mail Removed) hath wroth:

>Is a combo wireless switch and print server better
>overall than using a separate switch and separate print
>server?
>Is there less potential problem with an all in one box?
>If yes..... and advice on a good combo unity?

I'm not sure how to answer that because I have no clue what you
already own that your printer will need to work with. In general, it
doesn't matter if the wireless bridge and print server are in one box
or together. What matters are the drivers, especially if the printer
has a USB interface. If the USB printer drivers on the computer can
be virtualized through an ethernet or wireless interface, then you
should have no problems. If the computer expects to see a USB port,
and nothing else, you'll have problems. It gets really bad with
multifunction printer/fax/scanner/shredder conglomerations, where the
number of drivers that need to be handled by a wireless connection
adds substantial complexity. If you want to avoid trouble with one of
these, either make sure it has an ethernet port, which can easily be
run through a wireless bridge, or a built in wireless client, which is
obviously designed to operate via wireless. What usually happens with
these multifunction devices is that the printer sorta works, but
nothing else does.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 11:44:16 -0600, in alt.internet.wireless ,
(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>Is a combo wireless switch and print server better
>overall than using a separate switch and separate print
>server?

Depends. If your printer is conveniently located near wherever you
would put your switch, then you could combine the two.

However you may pay extra for a combined unit. nad if either part
dies, you would probably need to replace both which will be more
expensive than replacing just one part.

On the other hand, if your printer is nowhere near where you want your
switch, then a combo unit is obviously a waste of time...

Mark McIntyre
--

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I'm not sure how to answer that because I have no clue what you
>already own that your printer will need to work with.

Well I own a multi-function printer/scanner/copier
unit.

But I'm posting the question for a friend who has a
Dell printer only...... and wants to setup a wireless
network so that anyone can print from any computer or
laptop anywhere

(E-Mail Removed) hath wroth:

>But I'm posting the question for a friend who has a
>Dell printer only...... and wants to setup a wireless
>network so that anyone can print from any computer or
>laptop anywhere

Any clue as to the model number? Some Dell printers have network
ports or options. Frankly, I never know for sure if the USB printers
will work until I try it. Most of the wireless print server
manufacturers have a short list of printers that were successfully
tested.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Any clue as to the model number? Some Dell printers have network
>ports or options. Frankly, I never know for sure if the USB printers
>will work until I try it. Most of the wireless print server
>manufacturers have a short list of printers that were successfully
>tested.

No I don't know the Dell printer number.

However it sounds iffy for me as well as I do own a all
in one printer/scanner unit and was thinking abt buying
a combo wireless box as well

I have the Samsung unit in link below

http://tinyurl.com/a5gdf

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:


>If yes..... and advice on a good combo unity?

I am running a U.S.Robotics MAXg router that has a printer switch. It
is wireless and has four Ethernet outlets as well. I have an old HP
printer hooked up to the USB port. Been on line with it for almost a
year with no problems. When I started with it I had a dial up modem
between it and the phone line. Now there is a DSL router feeding it.
--
Help make Usenet a better place: English is read
downwards,please don't top post. Trim replies to
quote only relevant text.

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 08:37:40 -0600, in alt.internet.wireless ,
(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>However it sounds iffy for me as well as I do own a all
>in one printer/scanner unit and was thinking abt buying
>a combo wireless box as well

Don't do it - very very few all-in-ones will work when hooked to a
print server as they need bidirectional comms between printer and
computer, and few printserver units handle this (wired or wireless).

I have a Lexmark 5150 and its a nonstarter. Won't even print
properly.

Mark McIntyre
--

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

Mark McIntyre <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Don't do it - very very few all-in-ones will work when hooked to a
>print server as they need bidirectional comms between printer and
>computer, and few printserver units handle this (wired or wireless).
>
>I have a Lexmark 5150 and its a nonstarter. Won't even print
>properly.

OK thanks Mark!

So the Achilles heel when using wireless print servers
is the all in one printing devices. Yes?

A plain old USB printer should work OK?

Is the scanner part of the all in ones that must have
bi-directional comms back to PC. Yes?

If yes.... are there any "high end" wireless
routers/print servers that might work?

[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <(E-Mail Removed)> on Tue, 31 Jan 2006 09:16:49
-0600, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>Mark McIntyre <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>Don't do it - very very few all-in-ones will work when hooked to a
>>print server as they need bidirectional comms between printer and
>>computer, and few printserver units handle this (wired or wireless).
>>
>>I have a Lexmark 5150 and its a nonstarter. Won't even print
>>properly.
>
>OK thanks Mark!
>
>So the Achilles heel when using wireless print servers
>is the all in one printing devices. Yes?
>
>A plain old USB printer should work OK?
>
>Is the scanner part of the all in ones that must have
>bi-directional comms back to PC. Yes?
>
>If yes.... are there any "high end" wireless
>routers/print servers that might work?

Check the recommendations of the printer manufacturer. For example, supported
HP all-in-one machines work better on HP JetDirect devices than on generic
printer servers. (Scanning is done through a web interface.)

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>