Wireless Printing

[Heebeejeebee]

OK so how do you guys provide printing in your mobile classrooms?

 

I'm having to setup a couple soon and would like to know the most reliable way of doing it. I can't seem to find any access points that have built in print servers so would they have to be separate items that are "daisy chained" together? If so what ones do you use?

 

There will only be one network point in the areas where these laptops are going.

 

Cheers

 

HBJB

[Guest]

When you say mobile do you mean laptop trolleys or mobile classrooms?

[plexer]

The buffalo access points we started out with the WBR series had built in 4 port switches which was handy for printers on laptop trolleys.

 

Now we have moved to the buffalo compacts which only have 1 network port and also the HP 420's which also only have one.

 

We are lucky in that there are more than 1 network point everywhere ours are plugged in but otherwise you'll have to look at a small switch on the trolley this isn't going to cause you any problems.

 

Ben

[SimpleSi]

As plexer - 4port AP on trolley with network capable printer - 1 cable going to class CAT5 outlet - one to printer.

 

Only did this in oneschool 2 years agos but worked OK at the time

 

regards

 

Simon

 

PS Wireless PS with USB ports are unreliable - if they work - great - a lot of us have tried them and given up - your printer/PS combination may be one of the lucky ones

[Heebeejeebee]

Sorry, meant to say laptops and trolleys.

 

I was considering going the small switch route for convenience sake plus we already have some spare print servers that'll plug straight in.

 

I'll look into the Buffalo APs since they seem to do what I want.

 

Edit: Any idea of the model range? My usual suppliers don't have a lot in their lists.

 

Cheers

 

HBJB

[plexer]

Probably something in the WHR series but personally I'd say get a better enterprise quality access point and adding a switch if you have to.

 

Ben

[bossman]

Printing! Printing! I thought we were supposed to be doing away with printing that is the whole idea of digital storage so that we can be eco friendly, come on now think about all those poor trees in the rain forests, they didn't ask to be turned into paper did they? We actively promote the non printing unless really necessary theory and even then this is scrutinised by department. This is one of the schools main priorities, cost of printing and i am actively looking at solutions even within the Art Dept at saving ink, toner and paint.

[Ric_]

I have two networked printers set up in one of the classrooms. If the kids need to print, they print to there and the teacher can collect the work later.

 

You should bear in mind that adding a printer or two on top of a laptop trolley (particularly one containing 30 laptops) can make it increadibly difficult to push (or at least stop it rolling).