USB over network

[button_ripple]

Ok the problem is:

We have a toshiba receipt printer connected to one of our school office computers. Ideally we want it connected to another computer at the same time, unfortunately the only connection to this printer is USB.

What I am asking is:

Is there any freeware out there that lets you connect to a remote USB port??

I have done a quick Google, and can't find anything!

[FN-GM]

Why not just share the printer in Windows? - Sharing A Windows USB Printer Over The LAN

[bossman]

@button_ripple:

Why not just share the printer on the workstation you have it connected to and use this as the print server for that printer then connect the other workstation up to this. Quite simple really.

PM me if you need any instructions

[bossman]

@FN-GM:

Easier way than that is just to share printer by going to printers and faxes from start menu,
right clicking on the printer icon you have attached to workstation > right click > sharing > click radio button (share this printer) > Name it something easy to relate to the workstation > go to other workstation > log in as the user who needs to connect > start > printer and faxes > add printer > \\workstation name\shared printer name\ wait for it to install the drivers and connect over the LAN > hey presto printing from another workstation. Quite simple really

[plexer]

If you want to do usb over lan there are some solutions.

Ben

[plexer]

bung usb network into google plenty of links to software.

Ben

[button_ripple]

The receipt printer doesn't appear in Windows as a printer, otherwise it would be shared as this already.

[bossman]

@button_ripple:

apologies if this is the case but you didn't say this in your post but there is also someone else having usb problems on the forum and maybe this may help you:

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-2x1-USB-Peripheral-Switch/dp/B000KRN1Q8]Belkin 2x1 USB Peripheral Switch - USB peripheral: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

Have fun

[HullFC]

The receipt printer doesn't appear in Windows as a printer, otherwise it would be shared as this already.

You can get external USB print servers which connect over LAN or WIFI however, I have come across devices which are based on older versions of the same device and they have added USB support by embedded a USB-to-OLDCONNECTION bridge inside the device. This can make PCs behave as if they are printing to older serial connections. If this is the case with your printer and it appears as perhaps a serial device accessed via a COM port and it may be impossible to network it.

Check in device manager, select to view devices by connection and then look at the tree structure leading to your device. If it mentions devices such as serial or ps2 hosts/adapters then it seems unlikely it will be possible. In this event I would investigate the cost of a network receipt printer and go back to the users with prices/options.

Hope this helps.


Shaun

[button_ripple]

Thanks for the help!

I'm going to look into using that Belkin 2x1 thing!!