Printer sharing within the home network:

There are printer-server routers in the market such as Netgear FR114P.
Such a router has a parallel-port interface for a parallel printer.
The router itself is the printer server in this configuration.
Because the printer is connected to the server through the
old-style parallel interface, I do not expect that the speed is
really up to the level of the USB connection.

Now, if the printer has the ethernet interface, I wish
I could use this interface hooked directly to one
of the available RJ45 ports in the router.
Then, as far as I understand, the printer should
be assigned an IP number through bootp or DHCP.

I hope that one of the router itself can do the
job of a DHCP server or a bootp server.
That way, the setup will become straight-forward.

Is my scenario all correct?
Does anyone know a howto document for this
circumstance?

Thanks

Hugh

Yes. You have the right ideas.

The question is:

Which make/model of printer(s) you are using (going to use)??? That will
determine what options you have for Ethernet connectivity. HP has
JetDirect print servers so does intel, LExmark, Xerox, etc. Almost all
Routers for home networking use have Buitl-in NAT, DHCP Server, etc. Until
you have made teh decision or tell people a bit more in details, don't
think that many people could help you on setup.

My two cents.

Dewaine

Hugh wrote:

Hi Hugh

Linksys makes nice wireless and wired print servers
that use either a parallel or usb connection to the
printer.

If you go to their website, you can find the various
products, and download their user manual pdf files.

An inexpensive, robust, and delightful way to
bring just about any printer onto a network.

Regards,

Stan

Hi Hugh,

Have a look at the freesco firewall/router which you can download for free,
runs on a floppy disk on anything from a '386 pc upwards. If you have an
old computer lying around it's a cheap way to get a router, printer server
and internet firewall (if you want that too). You can start looking at
www.freesco.org .

Regards
Barry

"Hugh" <ghsong@nospam.com> wrote in message
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