Print servers and multifuntion printers

[giuseppe]

On this forum I have read some contradictory posts regarding multifuntion printers and print servers. I am ready to set up a wireless network and was going to go with Linksyss routers and PCI cards and a wireless server for my HP 7130 USB multifunction printer(print/scan/fax). As long as the printing part works I'd be happy as I only occasionally use the other functions and can just plug in my laptop directly. The other option I have is to use an old Dell laptop (Pentium I, 233, running windows 98) as a printserver - if that would work better. Also if using the old computer as a printserver would let me retain the scan funtion over the network I'd probably go with that instead.

[glc]

There are 3 scenarios when you try to network any multifunction device. The very cheapest may not network at all. Most can network the printer function, either shared off a PC or with a print server. The high end ones can often network everything with a compatible print server.

Your unit is fully network compatible (scan, print, fax, photo upload) with the following HP Jet Direct print servers:

175X
380X
200M
280M

If you are going to use a 3rd party print server or share it off a PC, I believe that you can only network the printer function.

[bailey]

not all HP multifunction printers are able to be networked, you might look into that first to be sure that the one you have is capaible of doing that.

[giuseppe]

I did a live chat with HP support. They reccomended the 380x and agreed I could network all function. So my plan is to get the HP printerserver, and linksyss for the rest. the printserver is "b". I am planning on getting "g" for the router and PCI card but that should be compatible. Right?

[glc]

Yes, any "b" printserver should be able to associate with any "g" access point as long as you use compatible security.

You have checked on the price of that printserver I assume - OUCH!

[giuseppe]

Yeah. It's pricey. However, given the funky layout of our house I think it will be worth it for us.

[glc]

I've used all kinds of brands of print servers - and I have yet to find anything that works better than a Jet Direct - with ANY brand of printer. They are worth the premium price if you need the reliability, performance, and consistency. They used to be a pain to set up when you had to use Jet Admin - but now all you have to do is set up straight TCP/IP printing - piece of cake, no drivers required except the printer driver. Win98 needs a simple install of a HP TCP/IP port.

I haven't used a wireless Jet Direct yet - but I did play with a Linksys wireless print server - it died after a week. Not impressed.