Looking for a USB switcher for printer

[stj]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

*if* it supports the printer.
there is no standard for printers over usb, you need exact drivers for every model.

[diif]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

The printer drivers required are already installed. The CD will be software to find the print server on the network.

[stj]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

i mean if the print server has the drivers for the printer.
DONT assume it will use the usb drivers or some other "magic"
the print server has to talk to the printer with HP's protocols, it may not talk to the network the same way.
it could be using postscript or running some middle-protocol.

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

I found this one it cost $38 IO Gear. I have attached the compatibility list it is confusing to me because it has a printer server model but the compatibility list is for GPSU21. Perhaps you can figure this out? The printer is listed on page 5

[diif]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

If this is the device you are referring to http://www.iogear.com/product/GPSU21/ then it shows it as compatible.

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

If this is the device you are referring to http://www.iogear.com/product/GPSU21/ then it shows it as compatible.

Did you see my above post the attachment says it is the compatible list for the GPSU21 but in the printer server model has other numbers. This can be seen in the top of the first page on the right hand side?

[diif]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

Did you see my above post the attachment says it is the compatible list for the GPSU21 but in the printer server model has other numbers. This can be seen in the top of the first page on the right hand side?

Perhaps question iogear then. I asked because you hadn't put a link to the device you were looking at.

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

post 24 is from the IO gear site for compatibility for the GPSU21 The problem I have with there compatibility is refers to different printer server model other than the GPSU21. This is confusing to me. I will sent them an email with this information.

[diif]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

Seems pretty straight forward to me. http://www.iogear.com/product/GPSU21/ is the print server you are looking at. The GPSU21. If you download the compatibility list at the bottom of that page there is an OK next to the HP Laserjet P2015 under the GPSU21 heading.

[Compgeke]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

P2015 compatibility shouldn't be an issue on any print server. It just speaks PCL, like every other Laserjet.

If a print server lists support for a monochrome Laserjet of any kind, the P2015 will be supported.

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

P2015 compatibility shouldn't be an issue on any print server. It just speaks PCL, like every other Laserjet.

If a print server lists support for a monochrome Laserjet of any kind, the P2015 will be supported.

That is not what I have read on the different sights. The HP P2015 user manual list only three printer servers that they had that were compatible. One printer server that claims to have compatibility with 300 printers does not list the HP P2015 although they do list a bunch of other HP laser jet printers. The other thing is STJ mentioned the compatibility which causes me to think he has had this problem.

[diif]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

Seems you're just trying to find a problem where there isn't one.
This device http://www.iogear.com/product/GPSU21/ clearly says it supports the P2015.

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

Seems you're just trying to find a problem where there isn't one.
This device http://www.iogear.com/product/GPSU21/ clearly says it supports the P2015.

No, I am trying to clear up confusion. If when I click the GPSU21 compatibility list and it does not have the words GPSU21 in the list of printer server model and some of the printer server models have a line crossing them out that leaves me in a world of confusion. I could assume all is well and that they messed up and the HP P2015 is listed so it must be alright. However, when the compatibility list does not match up with the printer server model on the list and I am going to recommend someone to buy this printer server I want to make sure it really works with that printer.
So IOGear has gotten back to me, this is there response.
printer server Discussion Thread Response Via Email (Nelly)10/29/2015 09:48 AM Lauren

The HP LaserJet P2015 is on the Printer Compatibility List which means this printer has been tested with the GPSU21.

The GPSU21 requirements works with
•Windows® 10, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 8, Windows® 7, Windows Vista® , Windows XP®
•Mac OS 9.22 or later
•Unix/Linux
•Printer with USB connection
•DHCP server on the network

•Easily connect your USB printer to a network
•Allows multiple computers to share one USB printer on the network
•Print from any computer on your network or from across the Internet
•Supports DHCP Client and multiple network protocols
•10Base-T/100Base-T auto-sensing
•Supports Telnet and Web Management software

Of course she has not addressed the confusion part of the list which make me wonder? I now have a guarantee with this letter so if it does not work I will have something to show them. Also, they have given me 15% off of their product.

[diif]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

Your list is different to the one on the iogear page. If you clicked my link the one to the actual print server all is clear. No confusion.

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

I was looking at the compatibility list. If you look at the updated date on the list it was change this month. changes. http://www.iogear.com/files

[stj]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

is there a space on the printer to add ethernet?

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

is there a space on the printer to add ethernet?

I am not sure what is all involved to do that. I think a cheaper, better way is to just get a printer server. They also have a space for additional ram of 256 MB. I am think the two will upgrade it to work correctly. Also, after I tampered with their deep freeze it got them over here to set up the printer to work with all the computers. I do not expect this to last as this set up has already failed. I have informed the manager of where he can purchase the Ethernet printer server and also the additional ram for the printer. The manager is a good guy and will do what he can to change the software's people's lack of concern for taking care of these computers.

[Compgeke]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

is there a space on the printer to add ethernet?

This one would need a new "motherboard" (whatever HP calls it, formatter board?) to add ethernet. Unlike the bigger P3000/4000s there's no EIO slots on these small ones.

[Uranium-235]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

some HP printers support a NIC you can install called a jetdirect card. This model...however does not.

<personally>...I think you should get a cheap P3 computer, put linux on it and use CUPS because if two computers try to print to the computer server at the same time, it can cause issues.

Do you even know how to set the server up? You know you should make sure the server has a static ip address, preferrably very high on or out of the dhcp allocatable range?

using cups will make it network name findable, as well as capable of queuing up print jobs

[keeney123]

Re: Looking for a USB switcher for printer

some HP printers support a NIC you can install called a jetdirect card. This model...however does not.

<personally>...I think you should get a cheap P3 computer, put linux on it and use CUPS because if two computers try to print to the computer server at the same time, it can cause issues.

Do you even know how to set the server up? You know you should make sure the server has a static ip address, preferrably very high on or out of the dhcp allocatable range?

using cups will make it network name findable, as well as capable of queuing up print jobs

This is one problem they have the Ethernet Switcher set up to dynamically address the computers. I was wondering if it is possible to set up a switcher to have one fix port and the other in dynamic mode. It is most likely that one can do this on some switchers and others this can not be done and most likely the one we got one can't. You would think that when the designers would understand and make this equipment to run in dynamic mode which responds quicker and they allow these printer servers to operate in that environment.