Print Server Information and How To's

For Print Server troubleshooting, see Troubleshooting Print Servers.

Print servers are hardware and software that are placed between a direct connection from a computer to a printer. The advantage is that many people can share the same printer, and that the printing burden moves from an expensive computer to a cheaper server. Overall, this is a big advantage, not just for networks, but for anyone who prints large jobs.

NETGEAR print servers are available as standalone units: PS110 and PS101, and also in combination with a firewall: FR114P and FWG114P.

One of the limitations of print servers is that to optimize their products, some companies create printers that are not fully compatible. "Smart" printers which have their own, non-standard monitor applications, can't send most information back from the printer. So Canon's CAPT technology, and Epson print monitors won't work with most print servers. Another shortcut computer manufacturers take is to use the Windows GDI features on your computer, rather than create the hardware and software themselves. This achieves exactly the opposite of a print server: The printers are less expensive, but they load your (probably far more expensive) computer down. If performance is any concern, avoid GDI printers.

NETGEAR print servers do not support any devices besides printers. Scanners are not supported, nor are multi-function printers.

It isn't practical for NETGEAR to create a comprehensive list of all compatible printers — the printer manufacturers are constantly introducing new hardware and firmware.

• The compatibility list for USB printers.
• The compatibility list for non-USB printers.

Print server performance is affected by overall network traffic, printer speed, computer speed, and type of communication protocol. TCP/IP and LPP are fast, while Appletalk is relatively slow.

Because the print server is a network device, you assign it a LAN IP. This can be done automatically, if you have a DHCP server, or by typing an IP manually in the print server administrative setup. (NETGEAR print servers, however, cannot be DHCP servers, themselves. They are clients only.)

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How Do I Find Whether There's a Connection Between a Print server and a LAN?

There are indicator lights located on the front of the Print Server for the connection with your LAN as well as lights for the printers on either port as well. Other indicator lights on the Print Server are for items such as connection speed, transmit and receive, as well as collision indicators. Consult the manual for a full description.

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How Long Can a Print Server Name Be?

The name can be no longer than 15 characters to meet NetBIOS standards.

Doc: N100115.asp Feb.6, 2005