About Sharing Printers in Home broadband network
August 4, 2009
In this digital age, everything appears to be hi-tech and advanced and this is the same case with home networking too. Whether in a home or office, sharing printers to more number of PC’s have gained equal importance. Normally, you use the Windows’ built-in printer-sharing functionality to share an existing printer to other computers. This is one of the easiest ways to share the printers. A person who has administrator-level access can set up a printer as few printer drives can access kernel, the Windows’ core code.
However, once installed and shared, the users with limited access privileges could connect and launch print activities. This whole process is termed as local print sharing.
SMB and SAMBA
When machines of your home networks use non-Windows OS, Local print sharing encounters certain problems. Networking technology known as Server Message Block (SMB) is used by Windows to share printers and file folders between Windows systems on a network. However, it is necessary that Linux or Mac OS X systems understand SMB in order to recognise and work effectively with Windows-shared printers.
A surprising factor is that, SMB is supported by both the systems, but at various degrees. Linux works fairly well with Windows shared printers and it is with the aid of an open-source version of SMB or SAMBA. This connects Linux clients and servers to Windows printers to Windows shared file folders. On the other hand the user can configure Linux which allows it to share printers and folders of its own. The best part is that the Windows users will be able to view those resources on the network as if they were provided from windows machines.
SAMBA is also included in Mac OS X; however, it is an impossible task to configure this system in order to work with Windows shared printers and at the same time it depends upon the printer you use for sharing. Even if you are able to share a printer that is connected to Mac with Windows users, the installation is a complicated task. First and foremost, both Mac OS X and Windows should be compatible with the printers. In order to make sure that they have the correct drives, the user should set up printers on all windows machines on the network and this is to be done secondly. Enlisting the aid of Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS), Ghostscript, or Gimp-print is the next step to be taken.
On the other side, it is equally difficult to share a printer that is connected to Windows machine with Mac OS X users. It requires the same open-source tools. When the user shares a printer on Mac OS X or Linux through SAMBA, it will usually work well on Linux and Mac OS X boxes.
Networked-Attached Printers
It is advisable that you go for a printer that directly connects to the network through an Ethernet connection rather than buying a printer that directly connects through a PC. This way of connection has its own advantages. The best advantage of network-attached printer over a locally shared printer is that, it can function even if the PC is turned off, as the printer is directly connected to the network which is not the case with locally shared printers. In network-attached printer, all you will have to do is, set up the client side on each machine. On the other side, the locally shared printers require administrative involvement with sharing (server) side and on the share (client) side. This is yet another advantage of network-attached printers. If modern OS such as XP is used to run, then a driver for that machine should be preinstalled.
Network-attached printers are bit costly, but it comes with enhanced features which are worth paying for. These printers are cost efficient and is ideal to handle huge print works. It can hold more paper and is flexible. A network-attached printer is best suited for home office or small office who deals with large number of documents between more than two PC’s.
Other printing solutions
Network-attached laser printers need not be the ideal printer for all users as it varies according to the printing requirements. Such printers are not multitasking devices, which could be your primary focus when buying printers. Problems like turning the PC’s on while printing and at the same time using the existing printers can be solved.
Setting up of print server
In case, if two or more servers are employed by an office, these machines which are involved in file-server, email, database or Web server tasks can carry out duties of a print server as well. Any server can normally carry out Print serving as it’s a low-impact function. Since the printers operate on version of Windows (Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server) or Linux, sharing the printers will not be a difficult task at all. The printers will be available full time as the servers are left on.
Purchasing a Hardware Print Server
Cheap hardware print server can be purchased by users who don’t have server and couldn’t connect the printer to the server. Hardware print server could make a parallel port or USB-based printer accessible to both wired and wireless network users. Just few caveats and this device can turn traditional local printers into network-attached printers. Hardware print servers must make the local printers work as if it is attached directly to a network. This could be a difficult task altogether.
Primarily, select a hardware print which could offer more than one connection or single connection, which is designed to be wireless and so on. A hardware print server with wired and wireless PCs is ideal for users running a home network with the inclusion of a switch or access point (AP) between the broadband connection and the PCs. Next step is a straight forward one, which includes connection of a hardware print server device to your home network and then, through parallel or USB connection, the printer could be connected and at last power the device.
Installing drivers on each of the client machines is required, which is indeed an exclusive task. Software installation is not necessary for other hardware print servers, however, you will need to know the IP address of the print server to get things done.
Sharing printers in your home or office is now simpler and you will have more options to choose from. Depending upon your specific needs, budget and technical needs, you can choose any from the available options.
Must-know things about Printers
November 22, 2007
Computer printers are innovatively designed and manufactured by various manufacturers with distinct features. Printers can be classified on the basis of the printing technology. Each technology has both advantages and disadvantages. The cost of the printers varies according to the printing speed and quality. Mostly inkjet printers and laser printers have marketed in the UK with varying cost. Colour compatibility of the printers can also vary. Some printers have come with the ability to offer colourful printing output.
Some of the printer considerations are listed below:
• Printing Quality
The printing quality is an essential factor to be considered when you buy a printer. The printing quality of the printers can be measured with the help of the unit of measurement ‘DPI’ (Dots per Inch). When the ‘dpi ‘ is high in number the quality of printing will be high.
• Cost
First determine your budget. On the basis of your budget, you can go for the purchase of a printer. If there are no constraints about the budget, it is better to go for laser printers to get sharp images or documents.
• Printing Speed
The speed of the printer has to be well thought-out. When printing speed is high, the users can take more number of printouts in short time. The printing speed can be measured with the unit ‘page per minute’ (PPM). This measurement indicates the ability of a particular printer to print the total number of pages in one minute. Make sure about the PPM rating before buying the printer.
• Colour compatibility
If you need to take photo prints with eye catchy colours, your printer has to be a colour printer. If you buy a printer just to print black and white text, it is better to go for inkjet printers which use black and white ink cartridges.
• Go for the latest model
Never choose an old model as it may not provide all the advanced printing options. Specialised photo printers are the best example for the latest arrival. They have slots so that the users can print directly from other external storage devices like digital cameras.
The above mentioned information would prove useful when buying a new printer.
Tips to buy and connect a Printer to the Computer
November 12, 2007
Printer is a Computer component that is used to print data from the computer. When you plan to go for a new printer some important things are to be considered.
• Printers vary from their sizes and capabilities. In the market it ranges from portable printers to compact printers. Most of the printers come with multifunction features like copier, scanner and fax functions. But you have to make sure that you have enough space to place it.
• The next thing is to decide what kind of printer is to be bought, whether an Inkjet printer or a laser printer.
• Ink jet printers are less expensive. But select it only if you have rare usage or for colour printouts, because the consumption of ink is too high.
• After you choose the printer type, go for the brand selection. Many leading brands in the UK will provide you good service and support.
• Make sure that your system’s operating system will support your printer. Some older system doesn’t support printers.
Connecting a printer
Steps for connecting your printer are given below.
• For Laser printer leave some spaces on the sides for ventilation. But for ink jet printer there is no need for this.
• Printer cable is a needy thing and you can buy a bidirectional, IEEE 1284-complaint cable.
• Check the connectors and its opposite ends. Join the 25-pin end of the cable to the printer and the computer. These are to be done after you shut down your Computer.
• Tighten the screws, plug the power cord perfectly. Now switch ON your printer and install the cartridge. Then switch ON your computer and install the printer driver. At last check the working by taking a test printout.
Do’s and Don’ts
• According to law, even if the user uses toner or ink manufactured by other company, then also the printer’s warranty must be applicable.
• But some producers avoid the warranty when you use refilled cartridges. So confirm it.
• Purchase a maximum 6-foot cable to avoid scarcity.
• If you have multifunction printer then no need of parallel cable or port.
A Multi-Function Printer
November 8, 2007
As we are living in a computerized world, it is very necessary of have a printer which has all-in-one facilities like faxing, scanning, and copying functions. To select a best all-in-one printer you must follow these steps.
All-In-One Business Printers
It is wise enough to choose a printer which has built-in networking capability. Select a printer which has automatic document feeder with multifunction. The printer must have a multiple paper tray with high capacity. It is wise to check the speed capacity of the printer. It is better to buy a laser printer than buying an ink-jet printer, as the laser printer comes with multiple ink cartridges for the highest-quality colour prints.
Tips and Warnings
The laser printers have duplexing ability to copy or print both sides of the paper without having to flip the paper over. Make sure that the multifunction printer you choose can connect with every computer in your office.
Ink-Jet Printers
Ink-jet printers are affordable and versatile compared to laser printers as you will be printing logos and graphics as well as special media. Consider more qualities for digital photo prints, get a photo printer. Check the speed of the printer, as you will have to print hundred and thousands of documents, so speed matters. Naturally, pictures take longer than text to print, so keep in mind if you intend to print many pictures. USB 2.0 is the best connectivity that you must prefer and it is also advised to buy a printer with an Ethernet and Bluetooth for a wireless connection. It is useful to have printers that can handle printing of envelopes, banners, posters, DVDs, CDs, brochures and postcards.
Tips and Warning
USB 1.1 ports can handle USB 2.0 connection without any problems. The ink-jet printer you buy must have multifunction features in it. It is wise to avoid wastage of photo paper and ink as they are expensive.
Technologies used in the Printers
November 1, 2007
Printer is a Computer accessory that mainly used for printing purpose. With the help of the printer user can print the data from the computer to the paper. Buying a printer as separate one is best. Printers are of different types depending upon their size, printing speed, style and cost.
Printer Technologies
While you go for a printer you must have some knowledge about them. It is required that you know about the different types of printers sold in the market. Here some of the frequently used printer technologies are described for your reference.
Generally two main types of printer technologies are used and each has some subdivisions:
• Impact
• Non Impact
Impact:
In impact all the links are made to the printer and paper. The Impact technology can be subdivided further into two categories.
The first category is known as Dot Matrix Printer. In this, a series of pins are used and it strikes a ribbon fully covered with ink. By this action, the ink makes an impression on the paper.
The second category is called as character printers. This is similar to a computerized typewriter. Normally a series of bars or ball is used. When the letter or number strike against the ink ribbon and prints the same thing. For the text based printouts, character printers help you well.
Non Impact:
Another printer technology is Non Impact. All sorts of ink jet printers come under this technology. Ink jet printers use a group of nozzle which sprays the droplets of ink and it will make the impression on the page.
The next one similar to this is laser printer. This type of printer technology is some what complicated, because inside the printer there is one toner. Heat is supplied and the ink fuses to make the impression.
Some other technologies are dye-sublimation printers. In this a roll of translucent film is used. Cyan, black, magenta and yellow are the four colour solid dye which is used for printing. These dyes will vaporize and spread it on the surface before they go to its solid state.
Thermal wax printers work under the combination of dye sublimation and solid ink printers. Colour ribbons are used in this printer.
Thermal Auto Chrome printer works same as Thermal wax Printers.
