Hi!
I came across a Linksys print server but don't know enough
about this topic to know if I need a print server or if I can use my
wireless router in its place.
A print server is basically a device that has a network connection on one
end and a printer connection of some type (like a parallel or USB port) on
the other end. It contains memory, a processor of some type and a control
program. Nearly all of them can be managed over the network by using a
built-in web page.
Various types and models exist. Some are built into printers permanently.
Others can be added as a special option that you'd put into a matching slot
on the printer. The kind you'd probably be looking for would be the type
that features a type of printer connection (again, parallel or USB) at one
end and a network plug on the other.
I don't think your wireless router has a print server built into it.
Therefore you would need a separate print server if you want to print over
your network. Wireless routers with print servers built in do exist. D-Link
sells one of these. Linksys may have one as well. I don't know for
sure--although I do have a Linksys five-port switch with a built in print
server. It works reasonably well with a DeskJet 932c. If you look at your
wireless router and find a USB port, you may be able to use it as print
server.
If you have printers that are more than just printers (such as multifunction
devices with built in scanners, copiers, memory card readers for digital
pictures or a fax function), these don't always work well with print
servers.
You can also use a desktop computer as a print server of sorts by sharing
the printer. This has the advantage of being fairly easy to do and it's
cheap because you already have everything you need. However, I wouldn't
recommend this approach with a mixed computing environment like you have. A
dedicated print server will work better, or at least that has been my
experience.
William
