A switch
I need some advice from you all.
I want to connect a single printer to 3 or 4 computers. [For the moment, I have connected two computers to a router(not a wireless one). On top of this I connect both computers to a single monitor via a 'Deltaco' switch. The switch is a rotten one. It does not support the DVI. However, it works. Everything works. The switch for the monitor has nothing do with the router. I have some plans to add another computer.] The router is connected to the wall; I mean my cable Internet connection. Is it possible to buy a simple switch to connect a single printer for 3 or 4 computers? I went to a shop which sells hardware and they showed me a device similar to a router and it costs about 150 dollars. I don't want to pay 150 dollars because you could buy excellent printers for about 70-80 dollars nowadays. I would like to buy a simple switch under 50 dollars. I haven't made a server at the moment though I installed Windows 2008 Server on one partition. I will make a server later on. I just need a simple switch to connect 3 or 4 computers to a single printer. Your thoughts are welcome. |
Why not share the printer on the network? I have not done this, but there have been quite a few threads here about how to do it.
You can also buy dedicated print servers. Look what Uncle Google found... http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F1U200-.../dp/B00006B5VH I'm not sure what issues you will have when a configured printer is disconnected and re-connected. Also, someone has to operate the switch anytime a user wants to print something. |
Thanks pixellany
I have not made a network as yet. At the moment two computers are connected to a router. I want to add one more. If you make a network, there is a server. The server has to be working all the time to use the printer. I know how to make a printer server. |
If you have more than one computer on a router, that qualifies as a network.
To share a printer using one of the computers, it certainly is true that you would have to leave that computer on. |
The following is true, pixellany.
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If you have more than one computer on a router, that qualifies as a network. I have studied networking for about 3 years though I have not taken any CCNP tests, as yet. For me, when someone says a network, it is natural to think about a network of computers in a school, company, etc. In networking terminology, we have a LAN at home. Everything connected to your wall jacket qualifies to a LAN. It may be 2 computers or 50 computers. You have a LAN. For some reason, I always think about large number of computers with Cisco routers when it comes to networking. I have a Cisco router simulator and from time to time I run IOS commands to brush up my knowledge of Cisco. I hope to take CCNP tests in the future. By the way pixellany, you should not buy those things from a website like Amazon. If it does not work, you lose your money. If you bought from a local dealer, it would be possible to make a deal so you could return it. I hope someone else will suggest me simple solution. I don't want to make a server. It should be like my monitor; there is a simple keyboard combination to change the computers. I think there are switches to change the computers so you could use your printer just using some keyboard combination. |
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To answer your question however, what you need is called a print server, it's a simple networking device that plugs into your network and your printer and lets any connected computer on the network print to the printer. I think the cheapest one I've ever used that worked was a netgear ps101 mini print server and I got it on sale for ~$50. You can also find routers/switches with print servers built in for a bit more money (usually ~75-200) although I can't vouch for the reliability of them or quality. The cheapest option is just setup one computer to share the printer, you won't find any prices cheaper than "free". |
Thanks rweaver
Do you want me to make server? If I want to make printer server, this is not a big job. I don't want to make a network. I don't want to make a server. I just want a switch in which I could change the computers for a single printer. Now I have two computers. I mean at the moment of writing two computers are running. The following command just switches the computers. [ Scroll Lock(twice) + Enter] I bought a switch made by Deltaco; the above key combination changes the computer. This has nothing to do either with networking or routing. I am looking for a switch similar to the above so I can change the computer. |
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Network printing is the way to go, and eliminates alot of problems. What if two people tried to print at the same time? How do you send the "scroll-lock twice and enter" sequence from OpenOffice or MS Word? Much easier just to print to the network device, and let the print server do what it does.... |
TBOne wrote the following:
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Not meaning to sound bad, but those switches haven't been practical for more than 10 years. It does not support DVI interface and I can't adjust the height, width, etc. Some icons at the bottom of the screen are partially hidden. In order to change computers I press Scroll Lock twice and Enter. Sometimes changing process gives some strange problems. My monitor is very modern and the switch is old; this is a part of the problem. I talked to the shop where I bought the switch. They told me the state of the art switch is the solution and they could order one for me. The cost is about 225 dollars. I have spoken to the manufactures of the switch on the phone. They are aware of the problems and suggested the latest model. Needles to say, to make a server is the simple solution. Then the server computer should always be on to get the printer function. |
225 usd sound out ragious espicially whe i was able to grab a Liknskey KVM swithc from tigerdirect for 35.00.
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FloridaBSD
The switch you bought is not compatible with DVI. You have VGI, haven't you? |
Suddenly we're talking about KVM switches!!! What could that possibly have to do with sharing a printer among multiple computers?:scratch::scratch:
I am not going to try and read all the details here, but: Was the Belkin switch for less than US$30 a reasonable solution? |
Yeah, it sounds like someone is confused about "switches". In order to network, you will need a regular switch, not a KVM switch, which is used to share keyboard-video-mouse among multiple computers.
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jay73
Could you suggest me a switch? I mean the exact details. 1. A switch to connect 4 computers to one printer. 2. Do you know a so-called kvm switch to connect two computers to one monitor? Could you tell me the exact model? It should support DVI. If you suggest świtches, I could ask a dealer to get them for me. |
Here are a few samples from two shops where I buy most of my stuff (Dutch but most items have details in English); I imagine that prices In Germany will be about the same.
Printserver combined with 4-port switch (but only 10/100Mbs transfer speed supported, which is rather slow (about 12.5MB/s) if you need to transfer many large files); never had any problem with products from this manufacturer: http://www.cool-prices.nl/Producten/...1x%20USB%201.1) Here is a gigabit (1000Mbs) switch that supports up to 8 computers BUT it does not have printserver functionality (AFAIK, none of the affordable gigabit switches do): http://www.komplett.be/k/ki.aspx?sku=315249 KVM switches that support DVI are a lot harder to find that ones that support VGA but here are a few: KVM with DVI support and USB for keyboard & mouse (2 computers): http://www.cool-prices.nl/Producten/...20KVM%20Switch http://www.cool-prices.nl/Producten/...%20(F1DG102DEA) KVM with DVI & PS2 for keyboard & mouse (2 computers): http://www.cool-prices.nl/Producten/...20KVM%20Switch Note that KVM switches to control more than 2 computers exist as well but they rarely support DVI; the ones that do are considerably more expensive: http://www.komplett.be/k/ki.aspx?sku...ed#ProductTabs Btw, you may need to buy network cables separately. |
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