Print Server question

Greetings,

Can someone explain to me in lehmans terms what the advantage is to have a dedicated computer running as a "print server"?

If I do my PS work on a macintosh and would use one of my PC's via ethernet, then allow access to one harddrive/folder on the PC where the print data would be stored, is this the correct approach?

Is this endangering my mac to become eventually infected?

If anyone here has practical tips, much appreciated!

Hi Greg,

The answer depends on why you want to use a print server. Let me explain:

Scenario 1:
You have a printer with a USB/FW connection. You have a couple of PCs/Macs that should all print from this printer at different times, i.e. not simultaneously. Possibly, you are the sole user of these devices.

Solution 1a (dirt cheap):
Use a couple of long USB cables. Plug one into each PC/Mac. Plug and/or unplug the printer end according to your printing needs at the moment. Install the respective printer drivers on all PCs/Macs.

Solution 1b (slightly expensive):
Buy a Printer Server box. These cost around 50 Euro and look like a USB Hub. It has a bridging function from the USB (that connects to the printer) to Ethernet, which connects to your PC/Mac. It will make the printer visible to the whole network behind an IP address. Install the respective printer drivers on all PCs/Macs. Use the IP address as the port of the printer. This solution also caters, to an extent, for simultaneous printing although not if there are more than a couple of big print jobs at the same time.

Solution 1c (reasonably expensive):
Use a PC/Mac as the printer server. Connect the printer to this device and share it for the other network devices to have access to the printer. Caters for spooling needs (i.e. simultaneous printing). The server shall probably run 24/7 unless you can make it work with sleep schedules and wake up on LAN, which is a bit complicated. Expensive, since it will use energy. Install the respective printer drivers on all PCs/Macs.

Solution 1d (unrealistic, since you have the printer already):
Buy a printer with a built-in ethernet port. The rest of the solution is the same as 1b.

Scenario 2:
You have a printer with a USB/FW connection. You have a multitude of PCs/Macs that should all print from this printer at simultaneously. You are not the sole user of these devices.

Only option 1b, 1c and 1d are all suitable. 1c is the ideal one since it prevents possible spooling conflicts.

If I understand your needs correctly, you are closer to scenario 1. Hence, the solution 1c has no real advantages compared to 1a or 1b. Notice that no hard disk sharing is required. You end up printing individually from whichever machine you are working on ATM. That's the reason why you should install drivers everywhere.

HTH. If it doesn´t, ask more pls

Cheers,

Cem

Hi Georg,

If you can remember back to 'Black and Decker', when you had an electric drill, fitted a circular saw attachment, or a disc sander or whatever - accessories- rubbish, wasn't it? Much better to have a special tool for each job. Then, generally, if one breaks, then you can often do something with the other. One general purpose tool can never do the same quality job as a few specialised tools. On the pc you will want to run qimage, or some specialised print software.

A print server - you can push over your large files and forget about them. It will possibly finish quicker than if you are trying to print and edit on the same machine. You could also hang a couple of usb hard discs off it, to give overnight back-up, or whatever, they are cheap as chips, these days.

What you have said should work fine, but I always thought that Mac's never got infected ;-)

Best wishes,

Ray

whoaa...LOL... thanks Folks.

Sorry, I really should have given you more details.

The mac I will use for PS has 16GB Ram and sufficient HD space. The Printer has Ethernet and a 40 Gig HD as well to store print jobs and profiles I suppose.

The Mac Pro has 2 ethernet port I believe. I need at least 5 ethernet ports. 1 for the printer and 4 for external controllers.

BUT, the maschine I have here at the moment just has 1 Gig Ram and is a PC. However, why should this run 24/7? I am sure I can have wake on LAN managing installed. So I would need HP-PC drivers and Mac drivers simultaneously, I understand that.

I guess what I aslso need is a ethernet hub or switch? What's the better option here?

@Ray.... LOLOLOL DO NOT remiind me opf B&D, first you need to be Schwarzenegger to work with these tools longer than 2 hours, then...they are just the pits. Now I have Bosh, Stihl etc. no more B&D in my place. LOL