is there a Mac-compatible wireless print server?

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is there a Mac-compatible wireless print server?

This is a variation on a theme many have touched upon. I want to have my Airport Extreme wirelessly connected to two printers (B&W laser, and color inkjet) currently connected by USB cables, stretched to 16' limit. Printers can't be moved conveniently to a closer position. I bought a $100 NetGear wireless print server WGSP606 (two USB ports) at CompUSA yesterday after staff there said it would work with Macs. Alas, it doesn't. The printers are not wireless models; the wireless print server supposedly (if Mac-compatible) would effectively make them wireless. From the various posts I get impression that an Airport Express might work, but could it serve two printers? Anyone know of a Mac-compatible wireless print server? Or have a workaround suggestion? Any help much appreciated.

iBook 12 Power PC G3; PowerMac G4 Cube; PowerBook G3 (bronze), Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jan 22, 2006 12:30 PM

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Answer 1

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Jan 22, 2006 1:51 PM in response to Jim Ferguson1

I'd say if the print server supports standard printing protocols, then OS X will work with it. But there are issues you should learn about.

The network comm protocols you see in Printer Setup Utility are part of the CUPS system. Very few (only Brother so far) non-postscript printer drivers work correctly with the CUPS system. The manufacturers have provided OS 9-style drivers that have USB comm written into the driver, limiting you to USB use only. Postscript printers don't have this issue because they don't need a driver, just a PPD. Apple tried to get around this issue by including Gimp-Print open source CUPS drivers, but the models supported are limited. So, the first issue is - is a CUPS driver available?

Protocol setup on OS X is the next issue. For Windows, there is autosetup software for nearly every print server sold new. We don't have that software on OS X, so we need to enter the correct info into Printer Setup. The IP > IPP and IP > LPD protocols require a print-server-specific queue name together with IP address to route data to the printer. Because of the Windows autosetup software, help desk people at Netgear may not even know this basic info. But nearly all print servers correctly support the standards and the device queue name can be found in the print server manual.

The advantage of Airport Express and Extreme as print servers is that Apple uses the airport/Bonjour software to redirect USB output from the computer to the USB on the Express/Extreme. Kind of avoids the printer driver issue but also takes away some standard IP protocols (only HP jetdirect is supported for non-Bonjour printers).

Sorry for the mini-lecture. Hope this helps.

(Airport Express/Extreme is only for one printer)

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