Best way to setup Printer across a network of iMacs.....

[gpspad]

All my printers have always been compromises; not AirPrint, or no wifi, or no ethernet port. My new printers has all of them.

I just bought a Canon LBP622Cdw Laser printer. I haver a combination of Mac, iPads, and windows computers in the house, and the printer does support AirPrint. I have a bunch of options for setup....

Direct LAN cable
Direct USB cable to Mac Mini acting as filer server
Connection through Wifi Network

Should I disconnect the LAN cable and just share the printer with a USB cable and my file server, or let it run on its own through the LAN network. Unlike other printers, I seem to get apply levels via all the connection methods.

When I go to add the printer I have three different versions of it, not sure the best way to handle it. it seem like I should just connect it via one method and be done with it.

Suggestions?

 

[Flint Ironstag]

Ethernet cable direct to the printer. Disable other interfaces.

 

[satcomer]

All printers sense the mid 90s when they get an IP on your network just putting that printer in your favorite browser to get into the printer’s settings!

 

[gpspad]

thanks for all the replies, Just connected it to the network. Much easier and everything working great, I got rid of the printer server and usb cable.

 

[gpspad]

All printers sense the mid 90s when they get an IP on your network just putting that printer in your favorite browser to get into the printer’s settings!

I was replacing a really old inkjet

Part of the problem is I already own both a photo scanner and a nice sheet feed scanner. I don't need a third scanner built into the printer. My choices was a large color laser printer, or a redundant ink jet with a scanner. It was hard to find an inkjet w/o the scanner I liked.

In the end it worked out, but I had been living w/o a lot of modern functions for a while

 

[BrianBaughn]

I don't know about the new ones but my network has to be up and running before my Canon MF8380cdw is turned on or it won't get a proper local IP. It's an issue after power outages or local network (router) hiccups. I have to power cycle it.

 

[satcomer]

I don't know about the new ones but my network has to be up and running before my Canon MF8380cdw is turned on or it won't get a proper local IP. It's an issue after power outages or local network (router) hiccups. I have to power cycle it.

That’s because it only use a small amount of memory to store their settings so it make sense they would loose their configuration on a power outage! So maybe investing into something like Jackery Explorer 300 connected to that printer! ?

 

[hobowankenobi]

I don't know about the new ones but my network has to be up and running before my Canon MF8380cdw is turned on or it won't get a proper local IP. It's an issue after power outages or local network (router) hiccups. I have to power cycle it.

I see this on certain models, including large multi-function copiers. Usually, it is a simple DNS issue, and the easiest fix is a reboot. I wouldn't worry about it. Also clears out the print queue, which can be good in a multi-user environment.