[NTLUG:Discuss] [Bulk] Lan Print Server

[Leroy Tennison]

Kipton Moravec wrote:
> I just got a DesignJet 750C large format plotter. It has a Centronics
> Parallel interface.  I also have a Cannon S630 printer which also has a
> Parallel interface. 
>
> I would prefer to have these printers directly on the LAN so all of my
> computers Linux and various flavors of Windows can easily access them.
> And so they can be in various places easier. 
>
> Is there a difference in the different little stand-alone print servers
> that go between the LAN and a Parallel port printer?  Netgear, Linksys,
> and a few other companies make them.  Do they all play with Linux
> (Ubuntu) the same? 
>
> Is one brand or model better than another?
>
> What should I watch out for?
>
> Thanks,
> Kip
>   
I was using an old (but $$$ when new) Castelle print server before 
deciding to test a setup where a Linux host was configured to support 
IPP printing for a Windows client as follows:  Windows client -> Linux 
IPP print queue -> Castelle print server -> HP series 1200 printer.  
Couldn't get graphics to print correctly, kept getting garbage and other 
weird results.  Removed the Castelle box and connected the printer 
directly to the Linux PC, had no problem printing from Windows through 
the Linux host.  my suspicion (which I don't want to invest the time and 
effort to prove) is that the LPD interface on the Castelle was 
interfering with things.  Might want to watch out for LPD if you're 
planning a setup like I had.