Connect networked HPall-in-one to ethernet or USB?

[torandson]

Hi,
I have an HP 7410 All-in-One printer/scanner/fax that can connect via USB 2.0 or ethernet cable.

I also have an HP Laserjet 1100 that connects via a parallel cable.

I'm setting up a small office network with a Linksys Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port switch, and have 3 desktops and a laptop to connect to it. (4 computers)

Currently, I have the HP 7410 connected to one of the desktops via a USB cable and the HP 1100 connected to another machine (the dinosaur) via a parallel cable.

I want to set up file and print sharing among the three desktop machines, and perhaps sometimes connect the laptop to the network as well.

If I connect the HP 7410 to the network via an ethernet cable, it uses one of the four available ports. In that case, I have to swap the laptop with another computer to connect the laptop to the network for file and print sharing.

And the HP 1100 must connect to a computer in any case, so any other machine that prints from it will have to go through that one.

Would I lose any potential All-in-One functionality by leaving the HP 7410 connected to one of the desktop machines via the USB cable in order to leave an ethernet port available for the laptop?

In this context, is there anything to be gained by connecting the HP 7410 directly to the Linksys Router instead of to a USB port on one of the computers?

--torandson

 

[linney]

This article (in parts) may touch on what you are asking.

The Top-10 Benefits of USB Device Connectivity

http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/aug05/articles/silex/usb.htm

On a small network there may be problems sharing anything more than just the printing side of your All-in-one.

 

[torandson]

linney,
Thanks, okay, but that article is somewhat afield from my question. The article discusses advantages of using a central USB network to connect several USB devices into a network at one access point.

My question is, do I plug my HP 7410 into the router via the ethernet connection, or plug it into one of the desktop machines via its USB cable?

Will having it connected to one of the computers connected to the router by its USB cable make it any less accessable from another computer than it would be if it were connected directly to the router?

Your reply seems to suggest that this is so, and that only the print function will be shared around the network.

However, the article seems to be talking about the limitations of an all-in-one that has only a USB connection, since what would be the point of building an ethernet or wireless capability into a printer that could not use it? The HP has an ethernet jack, and a wireless capability, and is therefore configured for being shared on a network. My question is, would this still be the case if it were connected through a networked computer via its USB jack? The HP installation instructions seem to imply that this is so, since the "install the software on all networked computers" page is rejoined by each of the three connection types, and the instructions say to "make sure you choose the connection type between the network and your HP All-in-One (not between your computer and the network)." But the Two choices are 1. Directly to this computer (via a USB cable) and 2. Through the network. This is ambiguous if the HP connects to the network via another computer's USB port. I was wondering if anyone out there knew. (But I think my question is in the wrong forum.)

--torandson

 

[tlcscousin]

I would look for a hub and connect it via ethernet.
The issue with hooking it to another computer is that that computer has to be running and accessible at all times.

I have a brother all in one and their software allows using the scanner over the ethernet connection as well, so i would hope the HP software would include the same function.

When it is connected directly to another computer it is not really connected to the network in the true sense of the word, it depends on that computer to provide the network connectivity.
When connected to a pc using USB it then has to rely on the computers settings not being changed or its firewall all of a sudden blocking access.