[Leaplist] Looking for a Wireless Print Server

[Bryan J. Smith]

From: Ram K. Singh <rksingh54 at yahoo.com>
> I am seeking recommendation for a "Wireless Print
> Server"  with USB (Printer connector) and Linux
> supported.  Your help will be highly appreciated.
> plist

Linux supports any and all protocols related to printing
and remote resource access.  E.g.,
 - Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), used by CUPS
 - HP JetDirect
 - legacy Line Printer (LPR)

It can also support SMB and other, Windows-centric protocols.
I've yet to see a print server protocol Linux didn't support
that Windows clients did.  In fact, it's usually the exact
opposite, Windows clients don't have the broad networking
protocol support that Linux does, and fail more here.

The only time you may have issue is when the printer relies
on the end-Windows system CPU for rendering.  In that case,
it won't even work for Windows PCs, or uses a proprietary
forwarding protocol that will run so slow, that you'll want
to toss the print server.


From: Danny W. Burdick <burdick at digital.net>
> I don't use a usb print server.....usb is freaky
> enough....

USB lacks standards.  It was designed to require minimal
effort at the host (Intel+Microsoft) and put all of the
"brains" in the end-device driver (not the hardware).

Luckily Linux enforces a lot of USB standards, and has
one of the best stacks around.  MacOS X does a good job
too, and can sign those NDAs for other hardware in many
cases.

From: Danny W. Burdick <burdick at digital.net>
> but I do use a dozen hp jet direct 300x parallel to
> ethernet
> print servers...and they work great....got one on this
> machine/network right now...

JetDirect cards/servers exist as external boxes for USB
as well.


-- 
Bryan J Smith        Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org  http://www.linkedin.com/in/bjsmith
------------------------------------------------------
I'm a PC, but Linux -- Windows: Life Without Firewalls


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