Print servers and printer setup question

[dj_elite]

So I got a print server today and Im setting it up through windows 7. I got it hooked up and an IP address and the computer recognizes it, but when I click add printer in Windows 7 I click "add a local printer" then create a port and click "standard tcp/ip port" it then asks for IP address and I enter it but then it asks what printer I am using and its a Mutoh Rockhopper 38 and there is no windows driver. What printer do I click on? Does it matter?

 

[RG]

I'm almost certain that there is no windows driver for this printer. You need rip & print software, like FlexiSign. The software has the driver.

 

[dj_elite]

I got it working. I have Flexi the question was when setting up the print server what to enter for the printer type. I just ended up using a generic windows printer driver. It worked fine, because flexi then uses the real driver

 

[ddarlak]

i understand that the problem is solved, but i'll answer the question incase any one finds this in a search.

the printer does not have to be set up as a printer in windows 7. all you have to do is assign the print server an IP address and use the same IP address in you RIP printer setup under TCP/IP settings.

you will never print to this printer through windows, so no need to set it up as a printer.

 

[dj_elite]

Yes, its just the printer server I have goes through a setup and asks for what printer your using. You cannot set it up without going through this setup page. So I put generic printer even though like you said doesn't matter.

 

[iSign]

What is a print server for?
Is it to send the print from multiple workstations?
You use Flexi? Do you have multiple copies of Flexi?

What are benefits of a print server? I'm not familiar with them...

 

[dj_elite]

I use it because my new computer does not have a parallel port on it. I tried a parallel to usb adapter, actually two different kinds, and they work but are very finicky and eventually stop working. So I got a print server. Plug parallel into print server, ethernet into router, a few options for setting up the IP address and good to go! No problems and works every time now.

 

[iSign]

so the print data travels from Flexi to your router, via an ethernet cable, and then from the router to the print server via another ethernet cable? ..and then from the print server to the printer via parallel cable?


If I have that right, I could see how owning multiple copies of Flexi would allow other workstations on the network to output jobs...

...but as far as advantages go, this was done strictly because of not having a parallel port on the computer? (did you check into adding a PCI parallel port?)

 

[bbeens]

iSign-

There are other benefits to using a print server. Throughput is much better as the data travels over ethernet from RIP station to the printer. Also, ethernet cables are much cheaper, easier to replace than the old LPT/Centronic cables and have virtually no limit on length. I recommend print servers (I prefer the SEH FastPocket) to customers that are running older printers, or to get away from the limited length of firewire cables. Currently I'm running our JV4 via print server.

In the past I also ran our JV3 and Tx-2 on the other side of our building from my desk. Not easy to do with firewire repeaters, etc.

Print Server is a rather unfortunate name for these devices. The name suggests a full PC or Mac that 'serves' print services. Actually these devices are small, 2"x1"x4", that plug into the Centronics port on your printer and has a port for the ethernet cable.

Bryan

 

[dj_elite]

I have parallel to print server, then ethernet cable from print server to router. My router is wireless and my new i7 has built in wireless too!

 

[J Hill Designs]

be careful with a wireless setup - I could imagine signal drop outs would F things up a bit...

 

[bbeens]

+1 on the wireless comment. Personally I only trust cut data over a wireless connection. Print data is usually much larger and less fault tolerant then cut data.

Bryan

 

[dj_elite]

Only my print goes though wireless. Cut is direct USB. Also my router is about 15ft away

 

[AUTO-FX]

If I have that right, I could see how owning multiple copies of Flexi would allow other workstations on the network to output jobs...

And along this line of thought, could you then put production manager on it's own pc to handle the ripping for all so as not to impede progress on individual workstations? Sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm not very familiar with this networking and stuff.

 

[dj_elite]

Sure can! Most people do just that. One or more computers for design and one just for production manager. When I get a bigger place thats what im going to do, then again with my new i7 and 8gb of ram might not need to for a while

 

[J Hill Designs]

+1 on the wireless comment. Personally I only trust cut data over a wireless connection. Print data is usually much larger and less fault tolerant then cut data.

Bryan

Only my print goes though wireless. Cut is direct USB. Also my router is about 15ft away

looks like you got it backwards...

 

[dj_elite]

Who does?

 

[J Hill Designs]

you...I was saying (and bbeens concurred) that running print data through a wireless connection is iffy