Ethernet Print Servers

The invention of wireless print servers may be one of the best things to ever happen to homes, offices, libraries, and other organizations needing to utilize one printer for multiple computer users at a time. No more do students printing essays in the school library at the last minute have to wait in a printer line, wringing their hands, or small offices with little space have to jam a printer into every cubicle. Computer users can print from any location in WiFi reach, clicking "print" from an office down the hall or a laptop in a study room, sending a report or paper to a conveniently located printer that is easily accessible to all. If the office in question doesn't have wireless Internet, that's okay too; ethernet print servers provide a perfect option for a small office's printing needs. This technology can be a bit expensive, but it saves time, space, and a lot of frustration for office staff--not to mention printers, ink cartridges, and other printing paraphernalia.

It can be difficult for multiple persons to share a single printer, especially if the office requires a lot of printing output. Often, a single computer must remain turned on all the time in order to support the network's printing abilities, which means that one computer is not available for regular use (a loss of productivity that many offices cannot afford) or that whoever is using the computer will be constantly interrupted from their work every time something goes wrong with the printer. This is an avoidable hassle, as wireless print servers do not require printing jobs to run through a designated computer. To use a server, all a home or office needs is a network, a wireless router, a printer, a few computers, and perhaps a few cords. Buyers should be sure that the print server is of the same wireless standard as their router to avoid incompatibility and should try to match hardware brands as much as possible to encourage the best possible performance speeds.

Ethernet print servers are similar, but require the use of ethernet cords and do not allow as much freedom because the computers connected to them must be centrally located. Still, they can be great assets to any home or office, allowing multiple computers to print from one machine. This is an excellent option for computer labs at schools or colleges, as all of the computers reside in one room, or even small offices with lots of shared space. Many ethernet print servers do not require a computer to be dedicated to managing printing jobs, which is very helpful, freeing up a machine from the taxing demand of controlling printing for an entire office, which in turn speeds office efficiency and allows the office staff to focus on work, not on frustrating technology problems.

Convenience and efficiency aside, some people just like to use wireless print servers in the home or office simply for aesthetic purposes. Nobody likes to see an unsightly cord trailing across the floor, which is a problem for those who want or need to have a printer located at a distance from their computers. A person can set a laptop on her bedroom desk, one in the family room, and another in the attic office and provide print access to all three with no messy cords and no jump-drive transferring. Plus, a print server is usually small, fitting easily onto a desk or other location and blending in nicely with other technology.

The price for both wireless and ethernet print servers can run from $30 to $400, depending on one's needs and technology requirements. As previously mentioned, it is essential that before purchasing a server buyers ensure that it is compatible with existing resources, such as printers and wireless standard, as some servers may not be compatible with certain brands of printers or may not use the same wireless capabilities as one's router. It would be terrible to go through the entire process of setting up a print server only to discover that one's printer is incompatible, resulting in painfully slow printing speeds or other problems. Doing thorough research before a big technology purchase may seem tedious and difficult, but the results of a hasty purchase could be very disappointing and cause problems for one's business productivity. The Bible has good advice for anyone considering jumping into an office technology solution without careful thought and consideration: "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want" (Proverbs 21:5).

Once the shopper has done serious research, comparing all of the available options and considering each aspect of the purchase, it is very likely that wireless print servers will figure significantly into the solution. The set-up process for a server may be complicated and difficult, so the buyer should be prepared for a little bit of mental work. During the set-up process, each computer connected to the server will need to have the contents of a CD installed in order to connect to the printer, and there are a few other steps that should be explained by instructions provided by the manufacturer. However, if the buyer feels unsure of his abilities, consulting a friend or associate well-versed in computer issues can save a lot of mistakes and frustrations. In the end, he will have wonderfully convenient and efficient printing capabilities, making all the hard work well worth the effort.

Add to: File Insurance Business article Teen Photo Images