Print Server Problem

Hello,

I recently purchased a "Trendnet TE100-P2U1P" Print Server for my small home network. I presently have 2 computers both running XP Pro and accessing 2 printers (one a HP 5L laserjet requiring a parallel port) and the other is a fairly new inkjet (MP 390 Canon requiring a USB port). I am behind a router firewall (Linksys).

I was able to install the print server and it works but VERY slowly regarding the changing of printers (when changing from one to the other) as well as VERY slow when you request printing after just changing printers. Once the printing begins it's as fast as when we were in a "sharing" mode before installing the print server which is acceptable.

Does anyone else out there have a similar configuration or had a similar problem? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

JimU

 

How are the printers config on the PC's? Are the printers configured to print to a "standard TCP/IP port" or are you using software supplied by the print server?

I'm not familiar with this brand of print server. I use Axis and HP JetDirects, both which are great (I prefer Axis though).

When using a print server, you should notice an increase in print speed (time it takes from when you hit "print" to when the printer actually starts printing.

Are they trying to access the print server by name or by ip address?

Scott
http://www.AAApcMechanic.com

 

Hey Scott,

Thanks for the reply.

In answer to your questions, the print server did come with a CD to install the software and it is set up as TCP/IP. I set it up with a "static IP address" rather than DHCP as that was a top recommendation by the printer manual.

The software gave the print server a name that's not very descriptive and I would like to change it but when going to "printer" off control panel it doesn't give me that ability when "right-clicking". In other words no "rename" option. But, that's not so big a deal as my slow "connection" from the time I select print to the time it actually prints. It's not consistent either. One time I'll get pretty good response time and another time I won't.

If I can give you any other information to help me solve this dilemma, please let me know.

Again, "Thanks" for the time in answering.

JimU

 

Static is fine. What's the IP address of the print server? I would try to point Internet Explorer (browser) to the print server. Most newer ones today you can configure via web browser. Try putting the ip address into the browser. You should be able to change the name that way.

On your computer, how are the printers defined? Are they printing to an IP address, or are they printing to a server and look like the following (just by viewing your printers in the print window via control panel):

HP LaserJet on \\printservername

or

HP LaserJet on printservername

Right click on one of the printers installed, and click properties. Then select "ports." How are the ports defined?

What I'm getting at is that I've seen where you try to print to a print server by name, and there can be a delay. This is usually due to name resolution. If you are running a WINS server or DNS server, this is usually not an issue. However, most home networks don't have those.

Scott
http://www.AAApcMechanic.com

 

Hello 44039,

Basically, I installed the Print Server (hardware) then ran the Print Server wizard (software) which gave the server a "default" name of PS_246D09. In addition to the wizard another piece of software was included called "PS_admin". PS_Admin allows you to see the current configuration.
It gives me the device name, mac address, version no., ports, tcp/ip address etc. When you click on "ports" it opens up and you can see what printer is assigned to what port. Also, in this configuration utility (not the wizard) there are several tabs for adjustment as follows:
General - provides mac addr; version; model no; and no. of print ports and it allows you to add a password (which I haven't done).
TCP/IP is the next tab and it lets you see the specific IP address or choose DHCP.
Netware is the next tab which I'm not utilizing.
Appletalk is the next which I am not utilizing either.
snmp is the next tab which says it's used for "monitoring" and "configuration" the only thing on this one is a list of "community names" which is "public read only". I can modify (change to read/write) and change the name to something other than "public".
the next thing on this tab is "snmp trap" which is currently unchecked and I havent' a clue what this is for.
Advanced is the last tab which has settings for netware bindery & nds printing which are currently unchecked. Another section of this tab is "printer" which allows you to change the speed from slow to normal or fast. It also has "bi-directional support" checked for each port which was the default.

In summary, almost all settings after running the wizard were default.

Not sure if any of this will help you further in analyzing things but I thought giving you as much as what I'm looking at might help.

When looking at my printers on control panel they read "LP1 on PS_246D09" and "LP2 on PS_246D09". Clicking on properties (which can be a 30 sec delay before it comes up) says "Lan Manager Printer Port LP1" for one then LP2 for the other printer. The properties are of course via the O.S.

Please know I do appreciate your trying to help.

Thanks again.

JimU

 

BINGO!
The problem is that you have to do a name resolution everytime you want to access a printer (name resolution for PS_246D09) which is causing the delay.

Two ways to fix:
Add an entry in your host file for PS_246D09 that points to the IP address of the printer server. (actually I've never tried this for print servers, but am assuming that it would work). This would be the quickest.

Or

1) Via the control panel, delete both printers. If you are asked if you want to remove the drivers, say no.
2) Through the control panel, add a printer like you would normally (double click Add Printer)
3) Choose Local printer attached to this computer and UNCHECK "auto detect"
4) Select Create New Port and highlight Standard TCP/IP port and click on Next .....
5) This will open the "Add Port" wizard. Click on Next
6) In the Printer Name or IP Address field, enter the IP address (not the name) of your print server. Leave Port Name as is (windows will name it for you). Click Next ....
7) You should then be asked which port on the print server you want to connect to (LP1 or LP2). It's possible that the names might not match up. However, "1" is 1 and "2" is 2, regardless if it's LP1 or LPT1 or Port1. If you don't get this option, then in step 6, change the port name to "LP1" or "LP2"
8) The "Complete .... Port Wizard" comes up (if successful) and will show you some details about your print server. Click Finish
9) Next will ask you what kind of printer. If you didn't delete the drivers above, then you should be able to select the printers from the list. The rest of the wizard is just the same as adding any printer (printer name, shared, default, print test page, etc.)


I would personally change the printers to print directly to the IP address, for several of reasons:
1) I don't like working with host files
2) You can name the printer what ever you want (otherwise you have to chage it via the print server).
3) Just adds another step in the print process (name lookup) that in your case, what's the point?
4) You can create multiple printers, pointing to the same port. Just keep in mind that you don't have to add the port, but just select it from the list (it will actually bark at you if you try to add it again, as it already exist). This is good for creating different printer profiles. For example, you can have a printer (in windows) that prints portrait, one landscape, and one postscript. They would be defined as seperate printers on your computer, but your pointing to the same physical printer. Really handy if your printers have multiple trays, and you keep letter head in one tray, and plain paper in another. All you have to do is add another printer, point to the same port, and config it to always pull from the tray that has the letterhead.
5) Print spooling and control is on the PC, not the print server. This is really handy for laptops. If you are traveling, you can just pause the print que on your pc. While you are on the road, you can just print, but they will que up, even if you power down the laptop. You get back to the office, un-pause the printer, and ZING, here comes all of your things you needed to print.

Personal preference though.

Scott
http://www.AAApcMechanic.com

 

I wouldn't at all recommend installing a wins or dns server on your home network though because for a home network its not worth it. Basiculy i would follow the other instructions presented and let us know if that helps.