USB printer to Wireless ?

Emp_Fab

I've got an older, very reliable Brother laser that I use occasionally.  It's only got a USB interface, no Wireless.  I want to connect it to my WiFi network so I can print to it from any device, including android phones.  I'm not coughing up £50 for a dedicated print server as I have Raspberry Pi's and several old laptops that will never get used again. 

I'm thinking the easiest solution is perhaps to connect an old laptop to it, share it, and when I need to print, I turn on the laptop and the printer and it should be visible on the network.  My only concern there is the time it will take to boot the laptop...  I don't want to be waiting 10 minutes before I can print.

Any other ideas ?  It's a HL-L5000D - and there's no specific driver for it on the CUPS website for a Pi based print server.  Ideally I want a solution where I just turn the printer on and start printing to it immediately, the prints coming out once the printer has warmed up.

Sporky

Does your router not have a USB port?

Emp_Fab

Probably, but it's in the kitchen and I'm not moving it - it needs to be there for several reasons.  The kitchen isn't a good place for a laser printer.  The easiest solution is a dedicated laptop attached as a print server I suppose.  At least it'll behave properly and won't be a pita to set up.

Pablo

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=gb&lang=en&prod=hll5000d_us_eu_as&os=10018

"This download includes the CUPS Driver"

Any use?

strumjoughlamps

Use your Pi as a print server

Snags

A million years ago you could get dedicated network print server appliances that were small and cheap, and aimed at this for SoHo.

<Hits up Google>

And they still exist https://www.amazon.co.uk/wireless-print-server/s?k=wireless+print+server

I make no comment on the brands, many of them will probably be horrible, as it's not really an enterprise issue, so it'll be all the cheapo places.

notanon

Share the printer via windows, or whichever Operating system.

Sporky

Get a really, really long USB cable and drag it around the house to wherever you are? 

Emp_Fab

Pablo said:

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=gb&lang=en&prod=hll5000d_us_eu_as&os=10018

"This download includes the CUPS Driver"

Any use?

That looks interesting.  I note it's only listed under the OS-X operating system, which I obviously won't be running on a Pi.  There is a driver for Raspbian though....  But I know Jack shit about setting up printers in Linux or sharing them on a network.  I envisage it being a world of pain....

guitartango

Emp_Fab said:

Pablo said:

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=gb&lang=en&prod=hll5000d_us_eu_as&os=10018

"This download includes the CUPS Driver"

Any use?

That looks interesting.  I note it's only listed under the OS-X operating system, which I obviously won't be running on a Pi.  There is a driver for Raspbian though....  But I know Jack shit about setting up printers in Linux or sharing them on a network.  I envisage it being a world of pain....

Not really, few command in the terminal and you should be ok 

sudo apt install cups
sudo cp /etc/cups/cupsd.conf /etc/cups/cupsd.conf.org
sudo chmod a-w /etc/cups/cupsd.conf
nano /etc/cups/cupsd.conf

Listen 192.168.0.xx:631      # Listen on the LAN interface, Port 631 (IPP)
sudo systemctl restart cups.service
sudo usermod -aG lpadmin pi  (I take pi is the user)

http://localhost:631/admin

Rem ===== Is this really hard==========
Rem ===== Then Driver===================

rlw

How much does a printer cost these days.......

guitartango

rlw said:

How much does a printer cost these days.......

True but brother lasers are normally  quite good !  Unlike their PC's 

Emp_Fab

rlw said:

How much does a printer cost these days.......

More than the perfectly good, low page count Brother duplex laser I already have.

p90fool

Sporky said:

Get a really, really long USB cable and drag it around the house to wherever you are? 

I know you're joking, but after years of begging and cajoling wireless printers to actually do something I finally bought myself a USB-only Brother laser printer and it's an absolute joy. 

I just walk over to the printer (which you have to do anyway to retrieve what you've printed) plug in the laptop and it starts printing in seconds. 

Sometimes things which have always just sat there and quietly worked for decades, like old printers and electricity meters are just the way things ought to be. 

Sporky

That's a very sensible approach.

I got lucky; my printer connects to the house network on a cable, the router is a print server, every PC - plus the phones and tablets - can see it and print to it.

Lady BMcH thinks it's unholy. 

Emp_Fab

Actually.....   I could reach the router through the floorboards with a long USB.  I've already got the holes made as my CAT5 to my upstairs Wireless AP is going through it.

Sporky

Maybe run CAT5e or better and use USB baluns then - that gives you more options in future. The cheap Lindy ones are OK for that sort of thing, but you might need CAT6. 

strumjoughlamps

Have you actually tried the brlaser driver on Pi? It’s by far your best option IMO

roundthebend

Would a wireless router configured in bridge mode help? I bought a mini one for my digital mixer but it's not up to that task, it might work for you. It's a TP Link WR802n I think, if it'll solve your problem it'd be a cheap option.