Print Server & Network Printer Reviews

Print Server Glossary

10/100TX : The Two most common network speeds in use. If your Print Server is rated at 10/100 then it should auto-sense / auto-negotiate between the two network speeds
Auto Sensing / Auto negotiate : Automatically choosing the correct network speed - see 10/100 above.
Bluetooth : Bluetooth is wireless protocol for sending audio and video data between mobile computers - laptops, notebooks, Handheld Computers, PDA's and other blue tooth enabled devices including print servers.
DMA : Direct Memory Access Controllers allow your CPU to offload processing tasks to remote CPUS usually attached to the device. A Print Server with a fast DMA controller will server print jobs faster.
Ethernet : Ethernet Networks are the standard for LANs (Local Area Networks).
IEEE 802.11 : Wireless Standards. There are THREE main IEEE 802.11 wireless standards : 802.11 standard allows up to 2 Mbps. 802.11b allows up to 11 Mbps. 802.11g is the latest Wireless technology and offers up to 54Mbps. 802.11 and 802.11b both use the 2.4 Ghz frequency Band while Wireless 802.11g uses the 5GHz Network.
IP : Internet Protocol. A network and transport protocol used for exchanging data over the Internet. See also TCP/IP.
LAN : Local Area Network. A communication network that serves users within a limited geographic area. The most common type of LAN is Ethernet.
Linux : Linux is an OS like Windows that has its roots in Unix. Its Open Source community, reliability and cost has made it a popular choice in the server market - Apache is a linus web server and is the most popular web server on the Internet.
Mbps : Megabits per second one million data 'bits', either a zero OR a one, per second. This is a similiar to MPH in your car. 10 Mbps is slow - 100Mbps is great. At Gigabit Network speeds the similiarity ends!
MFP : Multi-Function Peripheral, also known as an All In One Peripheral. These devices are faxes, scanners, copiers and printers all in one and usually have their own internal print server.
Print Server : A Hardware Device or Software Application that connects and shares a printer to a network. Print Servers are easily categorised by their network and printer connection type e.g. USB Print Server and USB Wireless Print Servers.
Protocol : A Ruleset defining how how data is transmitted across a network. Protocols exist at different levels according to the OSI Layer Model. Low Level Protocols deal with the physical network cabling, higher level network protocols deal with the format and delivery of data. TCP/IP is a combination of two high level network protocols. IPX/SPX is another network protocol used mainly on Novell Netware Networks.
Server : A Large computer or Software Program that 'Serves' other client computers via a network. File Servers, Print Servers, Fax Servers and BACS Servers are all examples of servers. Common functions handled by servers include reading, writing, archiving and backing up files, running powerfull applications or databases or performing specific functions.
TCP/IP : Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol. The TCP/IP network protocol is the most widely used networking and communications protocol in the world and is the protocol of the Internet. Some knowledge of TCP/IP will allow you to install most print servers easily.
USB : Universal Serial Bus. USB Provides a fast Plug-and-play connection between a computer and peripheral devices like usb print servers, scanners and printers.
Print Queue : A Print Queue is a software queue that sorts and orders incoming print jobs. Print Queues can be paused or taken offline.
Print Job : A task submitted to a print server by a client computer - Usually a document, Photograph etc.
Print Spooler : A Software service that gets your print job to the print server and a common source of many Windows network printing and print server problems.
Print Server Firmware : Software Updates for your print server that are stored in programmable memory on the print server itself. Some Print Servers like HP JetDirects allow for easy enterprise print server firmware updates and upgrades using the Hp Download Manager.
Print Server Software : HP Download Manager, HP JetAdmin, HP WebJetadmin, Bi-Admin, and CenterWare are all examples of popular print server software. Print Server Management Sofware offers huge cost savings thru lower print server administration costs.