Printserver + Mac + Router

[bluemicrobyte]

So I picked up this D-link printserver (a printserver is a small device that connects a printer directly to a router for printing from any computer) so that I wouldn't have to leave my computer on all the time so others could print.

I tried setting up a Mac OS X to print to the print server using Appletalk, but the printer didn't print the documents correctly. Somewhere I read that linksys (my router) doesn't support appletalk. Would getting a different router solve this problem? Or is there another setting in the Mac that needs to be adjusted? (the print server does support appletalk).

[TimP]

If your printer was made in the last 10 years you really shouldn't be using AppleTalk.

[bluemicrobyte]

How else do I configure a Mac to print to a printer?

[TimP]

AppleTalk is a dead protocol. Don't let the name "AppleTalk" fool you into thinking it's the primary Mac networking protocol. It's even more obsolete in OS X. OS X has full TCP/IP support, which is what your Windows computers are probably using. I assume your printer has a local IP address (via the "print server" device) so try setting it up through TCP/IP. I don't have an OS X system to check at the moment so I'm not sure of the exact details. On Windows, printing to a printer on your local network is considered "local printing" even though the printer is not physically connected to the machine, so if there's no TCP/IP or network printer option, see if there's some sort of local printer option.

[bluemicrobyte]

I can get all my PCs working fine, the problem here is the mac. roar.

Yes, it has an IP address and all that, but how do I set that up on a mac OS X? The manual said to use appletalk......

[TimP]

As I said, I don't have physical access to a Mac at the moment, but I have OS X 10.4 using TCP/IP printing at home with an HP Laserjet 2430, so it is possible. I can check it out when I get back, but I won't be going home until the weekend.

[bluemicrobyte]

Alright, thanks. Theres no hurry right now :P

[AJ]

i suggest more solid details regarding what and how you're connecting your various devices.

[bluemicrobyte]

Relevant Devices in order from start device to end device.

192.168.1.x = Mac OS X Laptop via wireless connection
|
|
\/
192.168.1.1 = Linksys 802.11b wireless router with 4 port switch
|
|
\/
---> 192.168.1.10 = D-Link Ethernet Printserver (wire connection) model DP-301P+
spacer>---> HP Officejet T45 All-In-One Printer

[TimP]

I asked a friend of mine who's using OS X 10.4 and he said to follow these steps:

Printer Setup Utility > Add Printer > IP Printer > Enter IP Address

In this case it looks like your printer IP is 192.168.1.10.

[bluemicrobyte]

I'll be able to try that on friday afternoon -- If that doesn't work, is it possible that my router wont allow mac <--> printer communications? I am going to purchase a new router soon, so if it needs to be a specific model/brand for mac compatibility I need to know.

[TimP]

TCP/IP is a platform neutral protocol. If the network printer setup works on Windows there's no reason it shouldn't work on OS X.

This is how it should look:

http://timbo87.home.comcast.net/temp/osxprinter.jpg

[bluemicrobyte]

TCP/IP is a platform neutral protocol. If the network printer setup works on Windows there's no reason it shouldn't work on OS X.

This is how it should look:

http://timbo87.home.comcast.net/temp/osxprinter.jpg

Yeah that looks like it to me...... if only I knew how to get to it lol

[TimP]

It's in the System Preferences under Print & Fax.