RT-N66U, USB or Network printer?

[randomName]

I'm thinking about connecting my old HP 6940 Printer to either my PC or on the router. I only need it for my daily rig. Aside from easily hooking it directly up to my main PC, what is the better route to go with router wise? USB or Wired? Mind you I still have to get an ink cartridge for this dang thing. And I've never hooked up a printer to a router before and am not familiar with the sequence of things in order to make it work.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Ethernet. I don't know the specifics of your printer but if it's like most HP network printers it will have its own internal print servers for lpd, IPP, etc. So there would seem little point in using the router's print server when the HP has one built-in.

 

[pete y testing]

I only need it for my daily rig

then just connect it direct to that machine , makes less work for the router as well

 

[sfx2000]

Ethernet. I don't know the specifics of your printer but if it's like most HP network printers it will have its own internal print servers for lpd, IPP, etc. So there would seem little point in using the router's print server when the HP has one built-in.

I would wire it up via Ethernet vs. trying to share via USB on the HP 6940 since it supports ethernet...

The built-in servers (JetDirect/IPP/etc...) will give you more flexibility and options - including ink status and paper type/status, than the print server built into most Router/AP's...

(Note for others - MFD's (Print/Scan/Fax) - better off using their network interfaces than trying to use USB...

 

[wh7qq]

I've been using an HP 6600 all-in-one with my RT-N66U network with no problems. The router finds the printer easily and assigns it an IP and all you have to do is to make sure your OS is happy with it. I just installed it on a Raspberry Pi 3 and it was easy enough once I loaded the CUPS utility (unix printing system). Some HP printers have web interfaces that are full of useful features...look for it in your printer docs. Mine is accessed simply by putting the printer IP in the browser window.