Wired and Wireless Print Servers

Match the printer's own port first

The print server must plug into the printer, so start from the connector on the printer. Most units here use USB 2.0, but older printers use a parallel LPT port, and a few servers handle both. Some, such as certain HP Jetdirect models, are internal cards that need a printer with the matching EIO slot. Check too whether the server handles only printing: scanning, faxing and memory-card readers on multifunction printers often do not pass through a basic print server.

Protocols, wireless standard and operating systems

Modern networks print over TCP/IP, with LPR, IPP or raw port printing, while IPX/SPX, NetBEUI and AppleTalk appear on older units and rarely matter today. Wireless models in this range often use 802.11b/g, which is 2.4 GHz only and may not join a 5 GHz-only network or support current encryption, so confirm your router can offer a compatible mode. Finally, read the supported-systems list: several units name only older Windows or classic Mac OS releases, so check against yours before relying on a driver.

Questions about Wired and Wireless Print Servers

Do I need a print server if my printer already has Wi-Fi?

No. A printer with built-in Ethernet or Wi-Fi already acts as its own print server. A separate box is for printers that have only USB or parallel connections, or for wired-only printers you want to move onto a wireless network.

Wired or wireless print server?

Wired is simpler and steadier, and it works anywhere you can run a cable. Wireless saves the cable but depends on signal strength and on a Wi-Fi standard your router still supports. For a printer near the router, wired is usually the safer choice.

Can a print server share a multifunction printer's scanner?

Usually not. Many print servers pass only print data, so scanning and fax functions may stop working from the network. If you need scanning, check the listing for multifunction support, or consider a printer with built-in networking.