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I do prefer Linux and in fact I intend to run 3 server machines at the place: a router, a file server and a VM server for running experiments. I thought that f

by listic 5y ago

I do prefer Linux and in fact I intend to run 3 server machines at the place: a router, a file server and a VM server for running experiments. I thought that for adding networking functionality to an older printer it would be best to use some kind of dedicated hardware print server. Is it really best to use a PC box for that? EDIT: I would think about hooking a printer to one of my 3 server boxes, but it sits far away from any of them (more than the maximum meters for USB cable)

jaclaz 5y ago
It depends on what you want/need. I have (not as a print server, but as firewalls/poorman's NAT's) used successfully old thin clients, typically they use a fraction of the power of any old desktop, exception made - maybe - for some early mini- or micro-itx machines. In case this is an excellent resource: https://www.parkytowers.me.uk/thin/index.shtml https://www.parkytowers.me.uk/thin/index.shtml But a number of (now obsolete) home routers (the kind the ISP provides and never asks back for after a couple years), have a print server included (with a USB port), that could be even easier/lighter, of course with less features than an even small box running a Linux or similar.