What is a Print Server?

What is a Print Server?

A print server lets computers on a network all access a network printer. Print servers are therefore useful even on very small networks, since they avoid having to move files from computer to computer before printing.

Print servers are frequently packaged with routers.

Advantages

Allows any number of users to share the same printer.
Avoids having to move files to a computer that is the only way to reach a printer that's connected directly to it.

Disadvantages

Most of the features of multi-function printers (such as FAX and photocopying) are not supported by print servers.
Some printers, such as GDI printers, use proprietary commands which make them unusable by print servers.
Printers that are designed to return their status to computers cannot do this through a print server (although printing still works)..

There are major differences between the compatibility of USB printers and non-USB printers. (Described in USB Printer Compatibility List and What Parallel Printers Work with NETGEAR Print Servers? ) Some printers, such as the PS121, have their own compatibility lists. There is often a lag between the release of a new printer, testing, and the report results. NETGEAR's User Forum is a good place to ask about the compatibility of the latest products.