Share USB Printer on Network

Whether in a home environment or in a business, how to effectively share a USB printer in the network is a common need. In this article, we’ll cover two common ways to implement printer sharing to help you choose the one that’s right for you.

	Sharing via a Computer Host	Sharing via a Print Server:
Pros:	·  No additional hardware required, sharing can be set up using an existing computer.·  Computers receiving the shared printer do not need to install additional printer drivers.	·  Stable and reliable, print servers are designed specifically for connecting and managing print jobs, typically offering more stable performance and reliability. ·  Strong independence, the print server is separate from computers, not dependent on a single host. The print server can be available 24/7. ·  Wide applicability, print servers usually support various printer brands and models, suitable for diverse environments with different needs.
Cons:	·  Strong dependency, the availability of the shared printer is affected by the stability and online status of the host computer. Printing is not possible if the host is shut down. By default, the host’s name and password are required to access the printer. ·  Performance limitations, if the shared host computer has low performance or is overloaded, it may impact printing speed and overall performance. ·  Single point of failure, if the host computer fails or goes offline, the entire printing service may be interrupted.	·  Additional hardware required for purchase. ·  Computers receiving the shared printer need to install the corresponding printer driver.

Method 1: Sharing via a Computer Host

To use this method, you need a computer running Windows or macOS that is connected to the local network. This computer should have a USB printer connected to it, and ensure that the printer is correctly installed and working properly.

Computer A shares the printer:

For Windows users, go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers,” right-click on your printer, and then select the “Share” option. Follow the prompts to set it up, and note down the shared printer name.

For macOS users, go to “System Preferences” > “Printer and Scanner”. Select the printer you want to share, and make sure that all users who need access to the printer are selected under “Shared Users.”

Now, you can add the shared printer on other computers on the network.

Computer B adds the shared printer:

For Windows users, go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers,” click “Add a printer,” and then select “Network printer.” Enter the shared printer name and follow the prompts.

For macOS users, go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners,” click the “+” button to add a printer, then select “Network,” and find and select the shared printer.

Test printing:

After completing the above steps, try printing a test page on the other computers to ensure that the printer is working correctly.

Method 2: Sharing via a Print Server

Connect the print server device to power and connect the USB printer.

Configure the network:

Use any computer or mobile device to configure the network for the print server. Some print servers can be accessed and configured through a web-based management interface, while others use a more convenient setup method. (XIIAOZET uses a method where connecting to the server wifi signal automatically pop up the configuration page.)

The print server and printer form a network printer with an IP address.

Add the shared printer:

The computer that needs to perform printing tasks should have the printer driver installed.

For Windows users, go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers,” click “Add a printer,” then select “Network printer.” Enter the shared printer’s IP address and follow the prompts.

(XIIAOZET print servers have a quick installation tool that can quickly identify the IP address and create a port, quickly adding the printer to the computer.)

For macOS users, go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners,” click the “+” button to add a printer, then select “Network.” Enter the shared printer’s IP address and follow the prompts.

Test printing:

After completing the above steps, try printing a test page on the computers to ensure that the printer is working correctly.

Through these two methods, you can easily share a USB printer over the network, improving office efficiency. Choose the method that suits your needs and budget, and enjoy the convenience of shared printing services!