Print Server Setup Help

How do I find a 'Lost' Print Server?

The majority of TCP/IP print server setup problems involve the print server disappearing from the network. When the administration utilities can't find your print server what can you do?

Check all the obvious things first.

Is your print server switched on? Is the Power light on? Check the network connection to the print server. Unplug and replug the network cables - they should click into place and be held firmly by the network port.

The Print Server Network LINK indicator

Most modern print servers have amber or green network status and link lights. If you have cabled your print server properly the LINK indicator should be lit. If it isnt then check your network cabling - Try swapping the 10/100 network cable with one that you know works. You can also follow the cable back to the Network switch, hub, or router it plugs into and check or swap cables as well.

If you still can't get the print servers LINK / STATUS indicator on then swap the cable and network port for one that you know works.

Try Changing your network Speed

Another Tip you can try is to alter the speed of the network port that your print server's network cable is plugged into. Most modern Print Servers have an autosensing / auto-negotiating feature that should allow a print server to correctly determine the connection speed to use. Sometimes this auto-sensing doesn't work too well - If your switch hub or router supports manually changing the port speed you can try dropping it to 10Mbps and altering any DUPLEX settings to NONE / HALF or FULL - Powering OFF and ON both the print server and the network switch or hub after making each change to see if

Double Check Everything

Always double check all of your tests. If you can't get a link light on your print server then plug the cable into a workstation or another network device that you know works. If you get a 100Mbps connection then you know the network cable isn't faulty and can eliminate it as the cause of the fault. Be methodical and work thru all of the possibilities and you should be able to isolate the problem.

If you still can't get a LINK / STATUS light to show then you may have a faulty print server and should contact the manufacturer for support.

Keep a record for Tech Support

Keeping a record of what you've done can help in case you need to contact your print servers tech support later on and will speed up the whole process by days and weeks in some cases. If you include all of the tests you've done together with all the configuration and settings you can get you'll often get an RMA number and a return address emailed back to you straight away rather than a long and drawn out email thread asking you if you've switched your print server on and have you plugged you network cable in properly.

When you do contact your print servers Tech Support make sure you keep copies of all your emails and don't be afraid to ask them what is happening. If you haven't heard back for a while follow up without pestering.