Streamline Your Printing and USB Dongle Management with a Network USB Print Server

Managing printers and USB dongles efficiently is essential for businesses and home offices alike. The introduction of network USB print servers has simplified sharing resources like printers and expensive software dongles across multiple computers. Today, we'll explore how to set up and leverage a network USB print server, enhancing convenience and reducing costs. For a practical walkthrough, we've included a comprehensive video at the bottom of this page.

Understanding Network USB Print Servers

A network USB print server connects USB devices to your network, enabling multiple computers to access these devices wirelessly. Common devices include printers, scanners, USB drives, cameras, keyboards, and especially USB dongles used with licensed software.

The product we demonstrate today features one USB port and two Cat5 network ports, catering to various networking setups. These servers are designed to integrate easily with your existing network infrastructure, especially useful if you're operating multiple laptops or computers.

Scenario One: Sharing a Printer Across Multiple Computers

Traditionally, each computer would individually connect via USB to the printer, leading to a tangle of cables and inconvenience. With a network USB print server, you simply plug your printer into the server, and it becomes accessible to every computer on your network.

Start by connecting your printer to the USB port on the print server. The server initially broadcasts a setup network labeled "usbserver__setup." Connect your computer to this network, then configure it via your web browser. Enter your Wi-Fi credentials and reconnect to your regular network once the configuration completes.

Currently, these servers support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks, with dual-band (including 5 GHz) support expected in future versions. Once connected, manage your devices through a simple web interface accessed by typing xiaozet.local in your browser with the default password "admin."

Setting Up Your Printer with IPP and Virtual USB

When setting up printers, you have two primary options: IP Printing (IPP) or Virtual USB. IPP setup allows multiple computers to send print jobs simultaneously, which the printer processes sequentially. This method works well for standard printing tasks.

However, specialized applications like Epson’s adjustment programs may not work correctly with IPP setups due to port limitations. In such cases, BCH Technologies recommends using the Virtual USB setup. This approach mounts the printer as if directly connected via USB, allowing full compatibility with advanced software.

Scenario Two: Efficiently Sharing Expensive USB Dongles

Many professional software licenses require USB dongles, physical devices verifying the authenticity of software licenses. These dongles are costly, and traditionally, each computer running the software would need its dongle.

With a network USB print server, one dongle can serve multiple computers sequentially. Connect your dongle to the server's USB port, use the provided Virtual USB connection software from the manufacturer's download page, and manage device connections effortlessly.

Only one computer accesses the dongle at a time, ensuring software license compliance. When a second computer needs access, the first user simply disconnects virtually, enabling the next computer to connect seamlessly.

Advanced Tips: Dongle and Printer Integration

Interestingly, when sharing dongles via a network USB server, some software remains operational even after disconnection, offering unexpected convenience. This setup allows limited simultaneous operation from a single dongle—though software behavior can vary.

By strategically placing the print server centrally in your office, you ensure all devices remain accessible without physically transferring dongles or printers between computers, significantly improving workflow.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Occasionally, the Virtual USB tool might initially fail to detect devices. Simply clicking "Refresh" typically resolves this issue. Also, ensure the necessary printer drivers are installed on all computers for seamless integration.

Maximizing Your Network Server Utility

Integrating a network USB print server not only simplifies cable management but also reduces costs related to purchasing multiple software licenses. BCH Technologies supports this method as an efficient solution for professional printing environments, particularly those utilizing advanced printing technologies like Direct-to-Film (DTF).

To fully understand the setup and operations mentioned above, watch our detailed video tutorial below.

We encourage you to explore our website, BCH Technologies, for further resources and to browse products designed to enhance your printing solutions.