[BC] my troublesome HP OfficeJet 7000

[Broadcast List USER]

I agree that networked printers are much better and easier than shared  
printers.  For one thing, you have to leave the computer on and awake  
if you are going to use the shared printer.

I go ahead and let my router use DHCP take care of things, even the  
printers.  When I have set up static IP devices, I set the DHCP range  
so that I have addresses "left over" for static IP addresses.

I just reconfigured my network today, replacing the Airport Extreme  
with a Time Capsule, which is a 802.11(n), (a), (b), 9g), WiFi base  
station, router, three port Ethernet switch, and USB port.  That port  
can support printers and hard drives, and both if one ads an USB hub.   
While doing that, I moved everything from 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255  
address range to the 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255 range.  I only  
allow DHCP a range of 200 addresses.  The rest of the 65,536 range  
leaves me 65,336 addresses for static addresses.  Yes, I had to power  
cycle many devices to get them to drop the 10 block and move to the  
192 block,  but that is easier than assigning addresses.

My old Airport Express remains, and allows iPhones and other (g)  
devices to have their own network and not force the (n) to slow down.   
I don't currently allow (b) devices, but I may as I have another WiFi  
base station.

I haven't had the trouble others have had with HP printers.  In fact,  
they are the only LASER printers I will buy.  On ink based printers,  
it is Epson, and dye sublimation it is Tektronix.

Ink printers are the worst, as must are USB only.  Some are USB and  
WiFi though.  WiFi is fine, though I would rather hang them on  
Ethernet.  I have multiple WiFi base stations, all wired, no mesh, and  
I just plug the USB printers into them.  If I had a USB only printer  
that wasn't near one (and I do, but it isn't yet networked), I would  
(and will) use an Apple Airport Express.  It can be used as a base  
station, or as a a bridge.  As the latter, it will run a USB printer,  
has Ethernet out and audio out for wirelessly streaming iTunes  
content.  The audio output is both wired, and TOSLINK.

There are Ethernet to USB hubs, however they are pricey.  I would  
spend the money before I set up a printer share though.  Those hubs  
cost less than any computer, and will consume much less electricity.

<http://www.bb-elec.com/product_family.asp?FamilyId=528>

I will admit I know RF and audio MUCH better than computer networking,  
but I do make networks sing, and know security pretty well.

--chip

On Feb 23, 2010, at 11:40 AM, broadcast-request at radiolists.net wrote:

> Message: 10
> From: "Jason R. at KGVL - KIKT" <jyrussell at academicplanet.com>
>
>> What would happen if my USB port used by the new 7000
>> printer, is too slow for some reason?
>> Any advantage had by connecting the printer directly to
>> the network?
>
> Quite possibly, and, YES.
> [...]
> I give mine a fixed address, being careful to get all the net/subnet
> stuff correct, and I pick an address that I know there's very little
> chance any DHCP machine will try to get... or... I go to the router
> and specifically assign the address there as well.  The printer
> has an awkward but capable way to manually nail down the IP
> from the front panel of the printer itself.
> [...]
> Jason