What Is a Wireless Print Server?
Wireless print servers are a device that replaces the printer cable (used to connect the printer to the computer or the network switch/hub) with a wireless link. Using a wireless print server is a cost-effective solution that can reduce the cost of installing a printer by eliminating the printer cable as well as the labor required to install the cable itself. Additionally, wireless print servers usually can be installed in a reasonably short amount of time, making them an excellent choice for temporary installations, as might be required for a trade show.
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Types
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Wireless print servers support all common printer interfaces including, centronics (also known as parallel), ethernet, and USB. It is important to establish what printer interface(s) your printer is equipped with before you purchase a wireless print server.
Technology, Manufacturers and Cost
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Most wireless print servers utilize WiFi technology as it is relative inexpensive and pervasive. In offices already equipped with a WiFi access point, the cost to add a wireless print server can be well below $100, with many available for about half that price. Wireless print servers are made by several manufacturers including Netgear, Hawking Technologies, ASUS and HP, to name a few.
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Interference
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WiFi technology primarily uses the 2.4 GHz (unlicensed) band. This band is also utilized by cordless phones and several other wireless devices. It is important to make sure that as few wireless devices as possible are sharing this spectrum, or intermittent performance issue may occur with either the WiFi equipment or the other devices that are sharing the spectrum.
WiFi equipment also should never be installed anywhere near a microwave oven.
Requirements
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To facilitate the installation process, software and instructions from several components are needed: (a) the manual for your access point (WiFi connection) and the installation CD, (b) the CD supplied that came with your printer and (c) the wireless print server, its installation manual, and CD. If cannot locate these materials, they can likely be downloaded from the manufacturer's website. You will need the make and model number of the devices.
In some cases--namely, if you are working in a networked environment--you will also need IP addresses for the access point and possibly the printer and an open IP address that can be assigned to the wireless print server.
Installation
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In locations with an existing access point, the first step in installation is to retrieve the configuration settings from the access point so that the wireless print server can be matched with the access point. If you are adding a new access point, make sure you record the channel, the SSID (if you used one), IP address (if one is assigned) and the security codes for review when installing your wireless print server.
With many manufacturers, once the print server is connected and powered up, the process of connecting the network's computers to the printer is straightforward. Usually, this consists of finding a location for the wireless print server immediately in the vicinity of the printer, connecting the printer's interface plug to the wireless print server, plugging the wireless print server into an electrical outlet and powering up the device up. Most, if not all, wireless print servers supply everything you need to connect the device--with the exception of the centronics (parallel) printer variety, which requires that you provide your own printer cable.
Once installation is completed, the next step is to configure the wireless print server. Most manufacturers now include a CD setup program with your wireless print server. Typically, these software setup programs will ask you to provide information about how your access point is configured, but for most users, the default answers will work.
Once the wireless print server's installation program has finished, install your printer in exactly the same manner as if attaching via printer cable.
Recommendations
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If there is an existing access point installed, a wireless print server made by the same manufacturer is recommended, as it will usually simplify the installation.
In cases in which an existing access point is heavily used, as in an office that includes many mobile or transient employees who use WiFi-connected notebooks, adding a second access point to connect the wireless print server may be advisable so that you do not place too heavy of a load on the available bandwidth for your primary access point.
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