Networking Label Printers

[jwillard]

We have two Zebra printers that we use to print labels. Everyone needs access to them and we would like to have them hooked directly to the switch through a print server device or other. We are currently using PS-Admin and a RJ45 to printer port converter. There are many problems with this setup and we are looking for alternatives. Can anyone suggest a possible print server or other solution that DOES NOT use PS-Admin?

Thanks

Boycott Sony

 

[MBumpy]

Zebra has their own external printserver that works on their current printer models. It plugs onto the parallel port so as long as your printers have a parallel port you should be ok. Setup of the printservers is easy via web pages or the software that comes with the printserver.

Other parallel port to ethernet solutions exist from companies like DLINK or Linksys but may not have been tested with the Zebra printers.

 

[jwillard]

Thanks for the reply. From what I can see at the Zebra site, their print server is not compatible with our printer models.

Boycott Sony

 

[MBumpy]

What printer models do you have ?

 

[jwillard]

I am using a TLP2742 and an LP2488

Boycott Sony

 

[MBumpy]

The PrintServer II will work on both those models. I assume you mean LP2844, not LP2488??

Look at the PDF brochure on this page and see the compatibility matrix.

http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/products/networking/wired/zebranet_printserver_ii.html

This only lists current models but it will work on TLP2742.

 

[jwillard]

OOPpps, yes I meant 2844. I will look into it.

Thanks

Boycott Sony

 

[Walter349]

I am using Zebra label printers connected via HP JetDirect boxes and they work fine, easy to set up and look after

'If at first you don't succeed, then your hammer is below specifications'

 

[jwillard]

To MBumpy - I am looking for something that hooks directly to the switch. Print ServerII is just a PCI card.

Walter349 - I am looking into the HP JetDirect

Thanks for the replies..

Boycott Sony

 

[jwillard]

Walter, I was wondering, what model HP are you using?

Boycott Sony

 

[Walter349]

300X jetdirect boxes, external models, nothing fancy at all. Simply connect the printer cable to the JD box ports and the network cable to the ethernet port.

Then make sure that the JD box picks up an IP address by what ever method you use to assign it. I use a reserved DHCP scope for printers and reserve IP addresses against specific MAC addresses.

Add the printer as a new port on the local workstation, I use LPR ports. Then set up your application to use it. I use label matrix and the printer setup is integral, so there is no need to setup the printer on the workstation specifically.

'If at first you don't succeed, then your hammer is below specifications'

 

[MBumpy]

The PSII is not a PCI card, it connects to the parallel port of the printer and can connect directly to a switch. It's powered by the printer and is DHCP enabled by default so just plug it in and go. Configuration is easy via web pages.