Does such a thing exist: print server with hard drive?
 

The desktop computer we have used to make backups onto for our laptops (there -- that's the travel technology angle :) ) seems to have died.

It's also the computer that we have a HP Laser Jet and an HP Inkjet on so everybody on the home network can access.

But I don't really need a computer, just a hard drive and print server. Can be ethernet or wireless.

Is there such an animal: a 2 port print server with a hard drive that can function as a place to make network backups?

www.mirra.com :)

Sadly it doesn't have a printer server, but you could get an ethernet printer server for around $75.

Another (cheaper) option is the newly announced Linksys server that only requires a USB harddrive, and of course a printer server, like these:

http://www.linksys.com/products/grou...rid=34&scid=32

Another (cheaper) option would be a Lindows PC, as low as $250, but would require quite a bit of self-configuration.

The Linux machine would be an awesome windows file server (through Samba) and does a good job as a printer server.

It would also work as firewall, mail server etc... :)

Thanks, Scott. Walk me through this a bit: I recognize that I'd need at least two printer ports. Do any of these linksys options allow you to hook up a USB drive to the print server itself? Or can an external hard drive be hooked up directly via ethernet to the linksys 4 port Wireless router that I have? Help! And thanks!

Linksys, AFAIK doesn't have a file/printer server (yet). So, you'll need the storage server I linked to earlier AND the additional printer servers.

Total cost, if you already own a USB harddisk will be around $225 which is pretty decent.

Cough... Linspire!!! cough....

Shhh! Microsoft's crack team of legal heads may be listening... Or is that legal team of crack-heads... I forget... ;)

Sorry for the diversion... we now return you to your regularly scheduled topic... :D

Your HP LaserJet, depending on model, may be able to sit happily on the network by itself with the addition of a (somewhat overpriced) JetDirect card from HP. Not the cheapest option, but then all you'd need is a new "file server" to attach the DeskJet to (Parallel port) and share that out.

Linux/BSD would be your cheapest option for OS (those Linspire PCs come pre-loaded and configured to look and act a lot like Windows), but if you're not familiar or comfortable with a *nix OS, OEM copies of Win2K aren't that expensive and the OS is reasonably stable... Just keep up with the patches/service packs!

--Brett

I just found this device:

http://www.compusa.com/overstock/pro...&pfp=OVERSTOCK

Looks good :)

very odd .. what exactly is it? Is it a bridge or is it a server?

It says 'connect to usb devices over a LAN'. It mentions wifi but doesn't have wireless. It also says 'share printers'. Do they mean via Windows or via their device acting as a print server?

So it isn't clear to me from the info on that page if it's a dedicated bridge and/or a print/disk server as well or instead of.

Update:

http://www.everythingusb.com/hardwar...USB_Server.htm

It's a bridge. (apparently).

-David

Linksys actually has a few wireless print servers to choose from:
http://www.linksys.com/products/grou...rid=33&scid=37

Look at the user manuals for each model, they will tell you if the printer interface is via parallel, USB or ethernet LAN. Have seen one of these used (not sure which model), but never paid much attention to it.

If you are getting into the $400 or $500 range, then you may as well just get a new computer. Share the printers, and use the drive when you need it, and if something happens to the main computer you have another one.

Um. yeah. I had posted that link in my initial posts. The issue was a combined file/printer sharing device. Linksys has plenty of printer servers, and some file sharing devices, but no combined units yet.