Questions: Are Print Servers Still Needed or are Relevant?
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- Опубліковано 2 гру 2014
- I work for a few schools as the IT guy and had a question about print servers. I always hear you talk about print servers and how they used to very popular. A few videos ago you mentioned how printer servers used be giant pieces of hardware, then they got smaller and smaller to point where printers have their own NIC and print servers are no long necessary. Now while they aren't as needed in the SOHO infrastructures, are these still used on a larger scale network? One of our schools has about 25 laser printers spread across classrooms and offices with about 50 staff members sharing them. I always just open up a range of IP addresses and assign static IP's to each printer, then add the printers by IP on each individual laptop, depending on what classroom they are in. Would it benefit me to have a print server? Note - there is no AD. I know that having AD setup would offer better solutions, but we don't have the infrastructure or $$ to setup, support and maintain AD right now. Maybe in the future. Hint: Charter schools = no money.
-Nicholas S.
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My university uses print servers and I love it! I can send prints from anywhere on campus and choose which printer scattered around campus to pick it up at. Just punch in my credentials and print. Very nice when there's a line for the well known printers.
I think it's really up to the user. Another plus of a print server or a server running the print server role is that you can see who clogging up the queue instead of walking to an individual's PC who is connected directly to the printer. It's really what most larger companies use so if you want to move to another job use should know how to send printers out via group policy.
Great vids! Keep them coming!
Print servers also give flexibility with queuing print jobs according to file size, user priority, etc. that many network printers really suck at.
If you're working with a non-profit check out TechSoup. Lots of software and OS licenses for a small "administration fee."
Back in 2000 I was working with a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network). We had a centralized server facility. Print jobs from all the various buildings came back to us and had to pass back to the original location. The print job to the printer in the room you were in might have travelled miles back and forth to the server facility. When we upgraded the server facility we installed the older servers in each building locally as print servers so the print jobs stopped travelling outside the buildings and clogging up the ATM ring.
From a centralized management point yes they are still needed. Office with 1 printer and 10 people no, but that large you need AD.
depending on where the asker or anybody who needs the answer to the question, contact other non-profit/schools. One school i worked with had a ridiculous tech budget (mostly grants and donations) and would give their five year old computers and older servers away to other school/non-profit for free.
eli, how about the print server functionality in ubuntu servers?
i have 6 epson printers that do not have ethernet connection im try to run the all at the same time of my laptop but i dont have enough USB ports the it crashes when i use a USB hub . how do i make a basic printer server that i can connect to my printer to and then send the print from my laptop to the server? please any help or advice at all would be amazing
In the SOHO Environment, used Enterprise-Grade Laser Jet Printers, with built-in NICs are functionally the best way to go, when funds are limited. External print server boxes are hit or miss, and the brand-name units are device specific. Dymo Printer Servers work best with Dymo Printers, HP Print Servers work best with HP Printers, etc... Even in that context, there can be compatibility issues. Not all Dymo Printers will work with the Dymo Printer Server. It pays to read system & device requirements, prior to committing to a particular print server. Most of the main name brands will have a list of compatible devices, that it will work with. HP's Jet Direct external models (Parallel or USB), may not work with all HP Printers, such as the all-in-one devices. An individual's mileage will vary, and advance research is a must. In the end, buying devices that are designed to work with one another is best.
Print servers are absolutely relevant - convenient AND save all kinds of costs - energy - frustration etc . . ( compared to having one ( glitchy - frustrating / running out of ink ) printer for every device ) AND - if a person knows how to do basic hacking of firmware - they can take an old(er) router bought for $ 20 or less off eBay and put Tomato OS on it - and use one printer for the house / office etc . . with ALL devices using the single printer. ( Preferably a POWDER Toner type printer ) that you refill yourself.
My college uses the Cloud as their print servers.
I have a USB Laser Printer and a Parallel Port Print Server. How can I connect a USB Pinter and Parallel Port Print Server. ??
Print Servers are a requirement on DoD networks.
No mention of CUPS and Linux? - Steep learning curve but free?
At the end of the day schools just want something simple and can get the job done.
I work at a hospital and we use them
I just don't want my printer to clog up while I'm on vacation
i have a printer its not old its new and doesn't have network built in
Why can't my printer connect to my chromebook
I have worked at charter schools for the past 4 years, seems like OP isn't doing leg work to find donated equipment and other free resources. Not having money for a server running AD is a pretty week excuse. OP call around, especially other charter schools.
Microsoft offers a yearly subscription to schools depending on staff count. All student computers and a number of servers included. Usually doesn't make sense if staff count isn't rising and if upgrading OS isn't a future priority.
Francisco Martinez I believe the issue wasn't getting equipment or setting it up, but that they did not have the funds to support it
Nick Wilfahrt I forget the context but if its a school there is money in funds/grants somewhere. You just have to spend some time looking for it. Also ask businesses and schools if they have equipment to donate, if someone called me right now I would give them a 2950.
thats very generous of you lol. would you like to donate to an information security student organization? haha. But the point I meant was that the money to support AD means paying someone to work on it and update. I dont think the OS or the Hardware was the problem. However being a student I've never worked on an AD in an enterprise network
Nick Wilfahrt I was referring to schools near me that needed help. :) I understand your view point, mine is just to think outside of the box.
Geek fields kigwahahahaha
Man this guy use to make useful videos, until he started living in a van and doing weird stuff.