I set up a network in April 1994 when we bought our third computer, a 486-DX2/66. We already had an original PC which running DOS. The PC was confgiured with an Epson dot matrix printer. Our second computer was a 386-20 with an HP LaserJet IIP. I wanted to be able to print from either of the Windows machines and did not want to buy another printer. The economical alternative was to upgrade to Windows For Workgroups, get two ethernet cards and some coax, and hook up a two-peer network, hosting the printer on one computer and sharing with the other.
This has evolved until now, in early 2003, we have three Linux servers, one Linux client, and five Windows clients. Our network includes four printers and an gateway/firewall bringing Internet access through our DSL connection.
When we moved into our new house, I installed our Internet gateway/firewall and our backup server in the basement. I wanted to move our file server/ intranet web server/ mail server out of the office but I needed the print server functions it performed to be in the office.
I had looked at dedicated print servers for several years but had never seen one that appealed to me. Then I found the Hawking PN7127P at Microcenter. It implements the Internet Printing protocol and unlike other print servers, Linux was listed on its box. Even though a Windows-compatible server could be used as an SMB printer on Linux clients, I liked the appeal of UNIX-like support.
It took two sessions in one day to get it working. I am pleased with the results and I have ordered three more to put all of our printers directly on our LAN. I can now move our file server out of the office and distribute the printers around the house, closer to where they are needed.
