Adding a printer to a network

[Gowen]

What would be the best way to add a printer to a wired network in my house.  I have a 3 or 4 year old HP laser Jet, it only has a usb or printer port conections.  My router is a D-link with the standard 5 ether-net ports.  What is the best way to add this printer to the network so that any computer in the house can use it? I don't have a ton of money to throw at this, but might be able to spring for a new router if need be.  I was wondering if wireless is the way to go?

[AZRedhawk44]

ethernet print server with USB or LPT port.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/PrintServers/WiredPrintServers/PS121.aspx

[Marnoot]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=usb%20print%20server&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE

[lee n. field]

I have a 3 or 4 year old HP laser Jet, it only has a usb or printer port conections.

USB print server.

Home routers will sometimes come with a usb port for this purpose.  Doesn't work unless you want your printer right where the router is.

[Harold Tuttle]

I just set my laserjet 6mp with a directjet 500x print server that is addressed via IP and connects to the parallel port

you can find them on ebay for 15 bucks
http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-JETDIRECT-300X-300X-PRINT-PRINTER-SERVER-J3263A_W0QQitemZ140345288319QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20ad3b267f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[lee n. field]

just set my laserjet 6mp with a directjet 500x print server that is addressed via IP and connects to the parallel port

As long as you don't mind doing the initial configuration via telnet.

[Harold Tuttle]

actually if you pull the power, hold the test button in, re power it, and hold the button for 7 seconds
it resets to DHCP

then you hod the test for 5 seconds and it prints a config page listing the IP address

then you can print to it via HPs IP based protocal.

[Gewehr98]

The older 10BaseT JetDirect print servers are dirt cheap and bulletproof.

Even the 100BaseT versions are affordable.

I used one for many years with no problems:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-Jetdirect-300x-Print-Server-series-USED_W0QQitemZ190334480401QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c50d1b011&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Gowen]

Thank you all for your responses.  I have two printers, the HP laser jet and a HP photosmart, so I might look for a print server that can accept 2 printers.  My wife always checks out ebay first, I see what we can find there.  I was thinking that a HP printer server would be smart, should be compatible, I hope.

[lee n. field]

The Photosmart may or may not work off a print server.  Check HP's support site.