What is meant by network printer?

On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 00:06:27 +0800, "HWKheng" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>If i connect any printer to a client pc of a netwok and enable print
>sharing, does it make that printer an network printer?

In the eyes of Microsoft, yes. They consider any printer that can be
"seen" with various protocols to be a "network printer" in their "add
a printer" wizard to be a network printer. Actually, that's not
exactly true. They muddle it even more by offering only two types of
printers, a "local printer" and a "network printer". In the eyes of
MS, a local printer is really a printer that is locally administered,
which may include network printers. A "network printer" is a printer
that can be seen on the network, but it not locally administered.

For example, when I use the wizard to add a JetDirect equiped HP
LaserJet printer (an obvious network printer) to a Windoze client, I
select "local printer" even though the "network printer" is a more
obvious choice.

>If i connect any printer to a router, eg DLink 714P+ and set up its print
>server feature, does it make that printer a network printer?

No. It makes the combination of a print server and a printer a
network printer.

>Or is a network printer only a network printer because the manufacturer says
>its is network-ready or network-capable, i.e., it is specially made to be
>shared in a network.

Well, strictly speaking, any printer contrivance, that can be "seen"
on a wired or wireless network, is a network printer. Are referring
to the marketing terminology? If so, networkable or some such merely
means that it has an ethernet port or wireless client and that it has
some protocol (NETBIOS, LPR/LPD, etc) that allows computers on the
wired or wireless LAN to print. Strictly speaking, a printer without
a communications device is not a network printer, although it can
claim to be one if the option is available to add ethernet or
wireless.

--
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

If i connect any printer to a client pc of a netwok and enable print
sharing, does it make that printer an network printer?

I f i connect any printer to a router, eg DLink 714P+ and set up its print
server feature, does it make that printer a network printer?

Or is a network printer only a network printer because the manufacturer says
its is network-ready or network-capable, i.e., it is specially made to be
shared in a network.

Hope someone can clarify and forgive me if u find the Q silly

In article <43a97d9f$(E-Mail Removed)>, "HWKheng" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>If i connect any printer to a client pc of a netwok and enable print
>sharing, does it make that printer an network printer?

To me, a "network printer" is any printer with an RJ45 connection, meaning you
can attach a standard network cable. It might well need some host on your
network to act as the print server, but there will be no direct connection to
that host's traditional parallel or USB port. It will connect to your router
or some other point on the network, just like any networked computer.


Art
Temporary usercode - to be deleted when spam starts. Use MyBrainHurts at this ISP to reach me

On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 00:06:27 +0800, "HWKheng" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>If i connect any printer to a client pc of a netwok and enable print
>sharing, does it make that printer an network printer?
>
>I f i connect any printer to a router, eg DLink 714P+ and set up its print
>server feature, does it make that printer a network printer?
>
>Or is a network printer only a network printer because the manufacturer says
>its is network-ready or network-capable, i.e., it is specially made to be
>shared in a network.
>
>Hope someone can clarify and forgive me if u find the Q silly

A "Networked Printer", is generally one that is shared out to multiple
users/computers on a network. There are a couple of ways this can be
done. Normally, in a corporate enviroment a print server is set up.
This is usually a PC or a dedicated server.

When a new printer is added to the network the drivers are loaded onto
the dedicated print server. Then when a client computer connects to it
the drivers are automatically downloaded and installed on the client
system.

A network ready printer will have an RJ45 ethernet port built into it.
Normally this type of printer is a heavy duty laserjet designed to
handle hundreds of thousands of pages put through it before it
requires maintenance. You will pay a lot of money for one of these.

Most home printers are of the InkJet type. These are generally
attached to a single PC either by USB or parallel port connections. It
can be shared out to other computers on a network, however the pc it
is attached to normally has to stay turned on.

There are devices that are sold that will act as a print serever,
(Usually a home router or a dedicated black box), however I have not
personally used one of these. This sounds like what you are trying to
do.

I hope this answers all your questions.

(From a guy who has set up way to many corporate networked printers)

--
Ned