How to Share Internet Print Servers

Internet print servers can allow multiple computers to be connected to a printer.

Internet printing can help you manage materials over the Web and allow several users to share a printer. You can print to a printer over the Internet from any distance, and you can also print from many different mobile devices. Many businesses connect personal laptop and desktop computers to a network to achieve better print management and more efficient technical support. Sharing a print server is an uncomplicated process that can be set up in the home, office or other locations.

Things You'll Need

• Web server application (such as Apache HTTP Server or Microsoft Windows Internet Information Services)
• Computers
• Internet access

Instructions

1. Download an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) Web server application, such as ISS (Internet Information Services for Microsoft Windows) or Apache HTTP Server (compatible with Macs and PCs), to the computer that is connected to the printer. This application will allow your computer to become a Web server, which means it can host a website that others can connect to.

2. Connect other computers to the Web server by adding them to the Web page posted by the HTTP application. These computers must have Internet access.

3. Enable Internet printing on these computers by allowing access to the HTTP program. Remote desktop software may also be installed on the other computers, which sends the information to the main computer to then be printed or manipulated.

References

• VNC Remote Control Software
• Tech Speed: How To Share My Printer Over the Internet with Print Server?
• Book: "The Complete Guide to Networking and Network"; Michael Graves; 2004