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Ask HN: What external print server do you recommend?

2 points by listic ↗ HN
I would like to add a print server to my home office setup, to be able to print from every possible OS on my trusty HP LaserJet 1015 printer.

What print server do you recommend? It would be great if I could get it on the secondary market for cheap. I would like the solution to be future-proof and open source-friendly.

5 comments

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PaulHoule
The servethehome blog reviews small form factor PCs for business use. These are always going by on ebay. Often you get a Windows license with the machine but if you prefer Linux that’s a great option too.

If you go to something that is not a mainstream PC you risk paying 90% as much for 10% as much CPU, the certainty of having at most barely enough RAM, software you can’t upgrade. Don’t do it it’s suicide.

listic
I do prefer Linux and in fact I intend to run 3 server machines at the place: a router, a file server and a VM server for running experiments.

I thought that for adding networking functionality to an older printer it would be best to use some kind of dedicated hardware print server. Is it really best to use a PC box for that?

EDIT: I would think about hooking a printer to one of my 3 server boxes, but it sits far away from any of them (more than the maximum meters for USB cable)

jaclaz
It depends on what you want/need.

I have (not as a print server, but as firewalls/poorman's NAT's) used successfully old thin clients, typically they use a fraction of the power of any old desktop, exception made - maybe - for some early mini- or micro-itx machines.

In case this is an excellent resource:

https://www.parkytowers.me.uk/thin/index.shtml

But a number of (now obsolete) home routers (the kind the ISP provides and never asks back for after a couple years), have a print server included (with a USB port), that could be even easier/lighter, of course with less features than an even small box running a Linux or similar.

listic
> If you go to something that is not a mainstream PC you risk paying 90% as much for 10% as much CPU, the certainty of having at most barely enough RAM, software you can’t upgrade. Don’t do it it’s suicide.

ok, I'll reconsider whether I can really have a printer within the range of a USB cable to one of the servers that I already have. Thanks!