Print Servers

Printserver - Connecting multiple computers to your printer

Do you have an old printer sitting around, which can only be connected to one computer at a time?

It can quickly delay work if there are multiple people needing to print, as you will likely need to have a specific computer dedicated to being the printer machine for the whole office.

With a print server, you get the opportunity to connect more than one computer to your old printer, allowing the entire office to print on it without having to transfer files and data back and forth.

This can save you a lot of time, and both you and your employees can have a better workflow in the company, as you won’t have to stand in line just to print a single page.

A print server is a small device that you can connect your printer to, after which you can either connect multiple computers to the print server itself, or you can connect it to the company's WiFi.

This gives you the ability to use the printer as a modern printer with WiFi signal, so you also won’t have to drag a lot of cables around the office.

This way, you can create a more efficient workplace and save your employees from having to wait in line to use the printer.

3 Things to Consider When Buying a Print Server

If you would like the opportunity to connect multiple computers to your old printer, thereby increasing the efficiency of your company, it could be beneficial to consider a few things first, so you can be sure to get the right print server.

Below you can find a couple of examples of considerations that you should make, so you find it easier to assess which type of print server fits your needs.

#1 - Types of Print Servers

You can find several different types of print servers on the market, so it may be a good idea to think about which features you would like them to have.

This way, you can be sure to get the right model that fits your company's needs.

The first type you can find is a standard print server that functions by managing the various printer signals it can receive from the connected computers.

This type of print server often has a number of extra ports, allowing you to connect to several computers at the same time.

A regular print server also often has an Ethernet port, where you can connect it to your router.

By connecting the print server to your router, you can connect it to your wireless network via the router, so all your devices with WiFi can connect to the printer and print their documents.

The downside of a regular print server is that you may need to run a number of cables between the various computers so you can be sure that they have a connection if you do not have a network to connect the printer to.

Types of print servers:

• Standard Print Server
• WiFi Print Server

With a WiFi print server, you do not need to connect it directly to your wireless network, as it has built-in WiFi that can connect to it via its own wireless connection.

This can be an advantage, especially if your old printer is not near your router, where you would otherwise need to run a long cable to connect to the network.

This allows your employees to quickly establish a connection to the printer, so they do not have to wait in a longer queue or transfer documents between computers every time they need to print.

Therefore, it can be important for you to consider which type of print server you would like to have, so you get one that suits your business and allows you to increase efficiency.

#2 - The Number of Ports in the Print Server

If you would like a print server for your old printer, you should consider how many computers you expect to connect to it.

The print server has a limited number of ports, and depending on how many computers you have in the office or at home, you should be sure to have enough ports to connect them all.

This way, you can be sure that all your computers are connected to the printer, so you do not have to change computers when you want to print again.

The number of ports is not as important if you connect the print server to your network, as it only requires one port, and will give all computers connected to that network access to the printer.

Therefore, you should be aware of how you would like the print server to be set up, so you know if you need a print server with many ports or not.

#3 - The Type of Ports in the Print Server

Another thing you should consider when buying a print server is what type of ports it has, so you can ensure you can connect to your printer.

Most modern printers will have the option to use a USB connection, which many print servers also have available.

However, there may also be older printers that do not have USB ports and instead use the older RJ45 connectors.

Here, you should be sure that the print server you are considering has the right ports that match your printer, ensuring they fit together.

Examples of types of ports on print servers:

• RJ45
• USB
• Ethernet port

Otherwise, you may find that the print server cannot connect to the printer.

It is therefore important that you investigate both what connectors your printer has and whether the specific print server you want to buy has a corresponding connector.