External Print Servers VS Internal Print Servers

An HP Jetdirect Internal Print Server
and an Axis External Print Server

external print servers are what there name suggests external to the printer. They attach themselves to your printer and allow network access via the print server's ethernet network port. An Internal Print Server lives inside your printer.

External and Internal Print Servers are different only in cosmetic ways - The chassis and the connections to the printer. Internal print servers look like a chunky looking network card with a parallel serial or usb printer port hanging off. Dont forget that External Print Servers require a separate power source, Internal Print Servers draw there power from your printer's innards.

Todays external print servers often fit into yesterdays internal print server bays. Not the best for heat disapation or ventilation but a good way of tucking the print server out of harms way. Be wary of concealing the network link and activity lights though.

Internal Print Servers are pricey and inflexible

Many Printer Manufacturers price internal print servers too highly and todays consumers are smart enough to work out that the N in the model name of a printer doesn't have to add $200 to the price tag - especially not for the small home or office print server network. Why spend the premium when you can spend $50 on an external network print server or a little more for a wireless print server?

Internal print servers are more difficult to replace than their external print server counterparts. Removing and replacing an internal card in a busy office can be difficult - With an External Print server just configure and drop the unit into place.

Internal Print Servers

Internal Print Servers offer reliability and the promise of total compatibility. Those benefits come at a price both to your wallet and also you future plans. Internal Print Servers are usually made for certain printer series and sometimes even for specific printer models so your upgrade options might be seriously limited. The last thing you want to buy in 2 years time is another print server.