Computer question - networked printer

[dewi1219]

I have a wireless network with three machines on it (XP Home desktop, XP Pro laptop, and Vista Home laptop). I use a DLink DNS-323 NAS unit which also functions as a print server. Attached to the DNS-323 is a Samsung CLP-315 laser printer. All of the machines can print to the Samsung fine. However, since the printer is connected to the NAS and not directly to one of the machines, the "Smart Panel" doesn't work so I can't check toner levels, change settings, etc. Is there a way to configure the setup so that I can use the Smart Panel with the printer networked as it is? Thanks.

I was going to / will direct this question to Samsung but I thought I might get a quicker, and probably better, answer here.

[justaguy]

There are multiple models of the CLP-315 does your printer have the network connection or just USB?

[crokett]

I don't think there is a way to use the additional features without the printer being connected via USB cable to a PC. My in-laws have an all-in-one that is attached to a wireless router/print server and my FIL can't use the scan/fax features or the ink level monitor unless his laptop is plugged directly into the printer.

[dewi1219]

There are multiple models of the CLP-315 does your printer have the network connection or just USB?

It is connected to the DNS-323 via usb. Mine is not the CLP-315W which has built-in wireless.

I don't think there is a way to use the additional features without the printer being connected via USB cable to a PC. My in-laws have an all-in-one that is attached to a wireless router/print server and my FIL can't use the scan/fax features or the ink level monitor unless his laptop is plugged directly into the printer.

That's what I was afraid of. It does have lights on top of the printer for each toner cartridge that illuminate when they get low/empty, but I would like to be able to check it from the laptop upstairs.

[Rich P]

I image your D-Link box "owns" the printer and probably advertises it as a "shared" printer, so it's not really "networked". If you are not addressing the printer via it's IP address from your workstations, then that's definitely the case. You might be able to interact with it more directly if you connected via a printer server box like one of their "DP-3xx" devices.

[crokett]

I
That's what I was afraid of. It does have lights on top of the printer for each toner cartridge that illuminate when they get low/empty, but I would like to be able to check it from the laptop upstairs.

The only way I could think of would be to connect it to a PC via USB, share it from that PC then remote into that PC to check it when you need to.

[dewi1219]

I image your D-Link box "owns" the printer and probably advertises it as a "shared" printer, so it's not really "networked". If you are not addressing the printer via it's IP address from your workstations, then that's definitely the case. You might be able to interact with it more directly if you connected via a printer server box like one of their "DP-3xx" devices.

The printer was installed via its IP address on all of the machines.

The only way I could think of would be to connect it to a PC via USB, share it from that PC then remote into that PC to check it when you need to.

Before I got the D-Link I tried sharing my old printer (and some folders) on the desktop and never could get it to work on either of the laptops - it was some conflict between XP Home, XP Pro, and Vista that I could never resolve. That is the main reason I chose the DNS-323. Since the printer works and I can access my music and photos on all the machines I'm happy and can live with it. It would just be nice to be able to use the panel when needed. No big deal though.

[Rich P]

The printer was installed via its IP address on all of the machines.

Does the printer and the DNS-323 have the same IP address?

[dewi1219]

Does the printer and the DNS-323 have the same IP address?

Not sure, I'll have to check tonight. I used the D-Link software to map the DNS-323, so I don't know it's IP address off the top of my head.

[justaguy]

The printer IP adddress that you set is ith the printer setup tools is only for the wireless network interface in the printer.

If the printer has wireless networking why are you not setting up the computers to print via the IP network instead of using the DNS-323? The DNS-323 print server is really designed to allow sharing of a USB only printer to multiple PC over the LAN. Your printer has networking capabilites built in why not use them? In my experience, all of the USB to LAN print server interfaces in routers, storage, devices, etc will not work with printer management tools like the Smart Panel. However, if the printer has wired or wireless network interface built-in the management software will work over the IP network.

I have not used the printer that you have but I would say that it is likely that the Smart Panel software will work if all of the computers connect to the printer directly via the IP network instead of using the DNS-323 print server.

[crokett]

I have not used the printer that you have but I would say that it is likely that the Smart Panel software will work if all of the computers connect to the printer directly via the IP network instead of using the DNS-323 print server.

According to this page the printer only has a USB connection, no direct networking interface.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...#techSpecSect6

[Rich P]

There are some variants on the printer that appear to have a "network" interface. However, the DNS-323 only prints via USB so I would imagine that's what is being used here. Since the printer does not have an ethernet connection, I don't see how it can be addressed by an IP address. I think some products support an IP stack on top of a USB physical interface but (IMHO) why bother.

The manual on the DNS-323 describes setting up the printer on the Windows workstations as a "shared printer" from the DNS-323. It has only one ethernet connection so it's not a hub or switch either.

[crokett]

I set up my in-laws' printer on their wireless print server. What I had to do was hook the printer up locally to install all the drivers, then hook it up to the print server via the USB cable and connect to the printer share. The print server only has enough intelligence to advertise an IP address for the printer but can't distribute drivers, etc.

[Mr__Bill]

There are print servers that work with all-in-one printers. They provide all the features available via a USB connection to the computer that connects to the print server via the network. You just need one of those. I was in Fry's a while back and they had them on the shelf for about 100 bucks and I was told they often go on sale for about 60 bucks. I can't remember the brand and I'm sitting here with a honking good cold (so your all infected now that you read this) doing things with as little effort as possible, thus I have not tried to look it up for you.


Bill, on the Sunny Oregon Coast

[dewi1219]

If the printer has wireless networking why are you not setting up the computers to print via the IP network instead of using the DNS-323?

The printer does NOT have wireless networking. There is a similar model that does have it, but mine does not.

I guess from what everyone is saying here is that the IP address I used to set up the printer must be the same address for the DNS-323. It works, so I'm not going to bother with finding another print server or anything else. If I can't use the Smart Panel with the way it is set up now, it's not the end of the world. I'm just happy I can print and access music and photos from any machine on the network. I appreciate everyone's input.

The printer, NAS, router, and modem will all end up in a closet somewhere out of the way, but I think I'll just set it up so that I can connect to one of the laptops locally if needed to check toner, change settings, etc. I mainly just wanted to make sure right now that the toner cartridges are full since the printer was a refurb unit. Once I confirm that, I won't really need to check it again for a long time.