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.

I thought of a real network of computers in an establishment. They have Cisco routers and you have to configure them. There are lot of switches too. Usually all the servers are in an air conditioned room.

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.

LAN- Local Area Network ;) It's still a network. Most businesses only have LANs too.

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.

Not meaning to sound bad, but those switches haven't been practical for more than 10 years. This is 2009, and if you've got multiple PC's and a router/switch, you've got a network already, no matter what you want to call it. Setting up one Linux PC with a printer attached isn't hard, and (providing your have the PC and printer), free.

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:

I would agree with you. There may be some problems. I could tell you about my own experiences. The switch I bought for the purpose of switching computers is not working properly.

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.

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.

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.

You don't need "KVM switches". They are sooooo last Millennium. Things have moved on, for the better.

Linux has vnc protocols so you can have the desktops from multiple servers on your PC: Clicky-clicky pointy - use different computers from the same keyboard and display.

You need a "router". Most people buy something that connects to their ISP and has a built-in router with ethernet ports for at least 4 computers to network them. This is called a "Modem / router". Mine is a "Netgear DG834G" which is "old" now, but cost little. The equivalent probably costs even less now.

It connects to my DSL ISP. It networks 4 PCs over ethernet, and many others over wireless. All PCs connected to the modem/router can access the internet and each other (if I allow them to). One of my PCs has a printer attached (by parallel port as it happens, but I have set up other networks where the printer is connected as a "network printer"), and it uses cups to allow any other PC on my LAN to print to it.

I think you are barking up the wrong tree with "KVM switches".

Read, research, and try again.

Yes, kind of. I used to have a VGA KVM switch but have not used any since I bought separate monitor/mouse/keyboard for each computer. Obviously, that would be more expensive but then you are not restricted by the length of your KVM cables and you have not nearly the amount of clutter.
As an alternative, check out Synergy, a project that reproduces KVM functionality in software (but when I tried it, there was conflict between Synergy and NFS).
As for vnc, I am rather annoyed by the way that it handles differently sized monitors. If I access the computer with the 22" from the 19", part of the display is always hidden.

Here's another vote for networked printing. I have a Windows laptop that's used as my print server. It's just a matter of setting up samba and CUPS. Of course, I don't print all that much, so I just leave the laptop off until I do need to print something.

Perhaps off-topic:
@jay73
The solution for me was to have my server serve up a display that my client (laptop) could handle.

In my server's rc.local I put the following:That starts a vncserver running as myself (tred) on display :1 with a 1024x768 screen. Of course you are free to choose any resolution your client (eg laptop) hardware supports.

I can then connect to my server, from my laptop, with vncviewer server:1 and all is sweet. I do not even have to login, as this is handled by ssh key-based authentication, so the remote desktop just opens and is instantly usable. No passwords, fully secured, and if you link this command to an icon on your desktop (or menus) then it's just point-click-and-USE(TM).

I can shut down my local vncviewer and reconnect later - my :1 desktop on the server is exactly as I left it (I didn't logout, I just closed the connection) so the same apps are still running on the remote server, I just have not been able to interact with them whilst I was disconnected. [See this as a sort of GUI equivalent of the CLI screen command).

Note: This is not "desktop sharing". If I am also logged in locally to the GUI on my server (on display :0), what is happening there is completely separate from what is happening on my login on the vnc display on :1

This functionality is awesome!

I love it!

Now that is useful information. Page bookmarked for future reference.

As I understand it, switch (ethernet switch, to be precise) will help you only if printer can be connected to your network directly (via Ethernet). If printer can be connected only to computer (USB, Parallel port), then the only way would be to share it across the network and keep machine with printer online all the time.

Cheapest ethernet switch I saw costs approximately $10 (D-Link DES 100SD, for example. Not sure, if it is still available for purchase).


And if you are connected to internet using 1-port ethernet adsl modem and want to add another computer without keeping one machine online all the time (or purchasing another modem with more ports), then you still buy switch.

I thank everybody for all the excellent comments.

Today I bought a switch called '4 port USB Switch'.

It says share 1 device on 4 computers.

It doesn't need any power supply.

I made a deal with the shop. If it doesn't work, I can return in 14 days.

I paid about 60 dollars.

I am pleased because I am not going to lose my money.

However, I can't connect it to the computers; the cables are missing.

I must go to town again to buy cables. I hope I will find time to go to town within next 72 hours. I didn't think about the bloody cables when buying.
[CMP-USBSW3]

http://www.konigcomputer.com

Gins,

Are you intentionally taking the pi$$ ?

You have The previous posts have clearly referred to an ethernet switch / router.

Oooo. K.
Oooo. K.
You bought the wrong thing. You don't need USB cables. Take it back now.

Not all "switches" are the same: "Light switch", "ethernet switch", "4 port USB Switch": They are all different.

This thread is amusing me (and I need some amusement, sometimes ;) ) but I won't be replying to it further.

A suggestion to other LQ users: Click Gins at left, select "Find more posts by Gins". Read them.

I'd have thought getting a network printer (ie one that plugs directly into the network instead of a server or a 'switch') would be the simplest option.

We started with the question of connecting a printer to multiple computers WITHOUT using the network. This implies a USB switch, which was suggested.

Many suggested simply using the network. Gins did not want to do that.

Then someone said KVM switches---totally irrelevant.

Then back to a network solution.

Then he buys a USB switch. (Why would that not work?)

Then people start talking about networks again.


I think I am now completely lost.....

pixellany

You are referring to my other thread under the title 'A switch'.

As I said in that thread, I bought a switch from a hardware dealer. I made a deal with them. The deal is I could return to them within 14 days.

I didn't buy the cables. When I came home I noticed the necessity of cables.

I can't try it until I have the cables. I hope I will find time to go to town again to buy cables.

I don't live in town. I live in a small suburb.

The other thread is about connecting the stereo to 2 or 3 computers.

Our friends have contributed in an unprecedented manner. Now I have a couple of solutions to consider. When I go to town, I will ask a Hi-Fi dealer.

No, the title of this thread is "A switch"......

But the real issue is that you don't respond directly to what people are saying. I was mostly responding to someone who said you bought the wrong thing. I was the first to suggest the USB switch, but you never confirmed if you printer connects with USB.

Good luck...

As per useral I would strongly recomend staying away from switch manufacturers such as Dlink, linksys and other and going with NETGEAR.

Would that be for the USB switch, network switch, or KVM switch?

We still don't know if Gins' printer is USB--if so, he can presumably just use a USB switch.

If he does not want to have a network, then how does an Ethernet switch help? Besides, he would need a printer with an Ethernet port.

When you say something like that, you should explain WHY you think this way.

I am glad that I received so many excellent answers from our friends.

I bought a switch from a shop in town and tried. It didn't work. I returned it.

I went to another shop and bought the following switch and it works.

USB 2.0 Peripheral Switch.
Enables 4 Computers to Share a Single USB Device
Model US-421

If you run windows there is a CD to install drivers.

I don't run windows.

http://www.aten.com

This is a Taiwanese company.

You just press the 'Num Lock' button twice to change the computer.

It works fine.

There are some buttons on the switch to change the computers.

I don'ẗ need those buttons.

Just press the 'Num Lock' button twice to change the computers.

Sometimes the keyboard hangs when starting computers.

What is the problem?

As I mentioned before I am running 2 computers with one Samsung monitor.

I bought a switch for this purpose nearly 3 years ago.

This switch works just pressing 'Scroll Lock + Enter' buttons.

I know this switch is rotten to some extent.

It may be the keyboard is not capable of handling so many switches.

Do the keyboards get old?

I am clueless on these things.

When the computer starts, the system forced to recognize 2 switches.

Your thoughts are welcome.