This solution understands the method by which you can share USB printer on network using USB to ethernet print server. USB printers have USB ports on them.
If you want to connect a device on the network, you need a network port which is otherwise not possible with a USB port.
Share USB printer on network with print server
To share a USB printer on network, a printer server is requried. Since it is a USB printer, you need to purchase a USB to ethernet print server
The USB to ethernet print server device would convert the USB port on the device to network port, which can then be used to connect to your network.
USB to ethernet print server recommendation
The StarTech.com 10/100Mbps Ethernet to USB 2.0 Network Print Server – would be a good choice for a USB to ethernet print server.
The device has a USB and network port. The USB port on the printer is connected to the network device like your switch. Once connected , the USB printer becomes a network printer. An IP address can be configured for the printer with the software associated with the print server.
You would then need to configure the printer as a network printer on your PC and other devices requiring access where the IP address of the print server would be configured.
Buyer FAQ
Can printer be networked and USB simultaneously
No. The USB port on the printer is converted to a network port. This is then connected to a network device like a switch. Once converted , the printer can only be accessed through the network.
Can I give an IP address to the USB printer
You can give the IP address to the USB printer using the StarTech.com 10/100Mbps Ethernet to USB 2.0 Network Print Server – . You would be configuring the IP address on the print server and not on the printer.
How to assign an IP address to a USB port
This has to be done with the print server. The print server software would help you to configure this. Once configured, the IP address can be shared with all the devices on the network requiring access to the printer.
How to share the printer on the network with the configured IP address
The IP address of the printer has to be configured on the printer setting of the PC and other devices which needs access to the printer. The printer driver also needs to be selected as part of this setting. Once configured you would be able to access the printer on the network.
Conclusion
The solution explains how to share the USB printer on the network using the StarTech.com 10/100Mbps Ethernet to USB 2.0 Network Print Server – . You can use this setup to share your USB printers on Home or office networks.
Check out How to connect two computers to one printer