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I thought someone suggested a non-network USB printer could be networked
by plugging it into a USB hub or switch. In my opinion, to network a
non-Network printer, you need to use a print server or install it and
share it on a networked computer.
-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Ridder [mailto:docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 11:20 AM
To: Sean Brierley; Techwr-l
Subject: RE: USB switches & hubs
Sean Brierly wrote:
> Are you suggesting that you can plug any USB printer into a switch and
> it will be shared? Is the IP address of the switch enough--how does
that
> work if the printer itself doesn't have an IP address?
Umm, USB doesn't use and knows nothing about IP addresses. I think
you're
confusing Ethernet switches and USB switches.
A manual USB switch would be the cheapest solution to the problem, but
not very convenient because you have to manually switch between the
two computers when you want to print. An automatic USB switch is more
convenient, but is more expensive. But if there is already a LAN in
existence
(either wired or wireless), it might be better to spend a few more
dollars
and get a dedicated print server device (either wired or wireless) that
works via that existing network. Some are designed to use one of the
computers on the network and just provide the capability to address the
shared printer via a URL, while others are standalone units that connect
directly to the network (wired or wirelessly) on one side and to the
printer's
USB port on the other side.
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