One of the advantages of computer networking is the ability to share a single printer with many computers in the network. No more of waiting in a queue to print documents to the printer. Just send the print jobs from your computer in the network, and the print server manages the job queues automatically for you.
Traditionally you share the printer by attaching the printer to your computer via USB port and configure it to be accessible by other users across the network. When the computer turns off, you cannot access the printer. But with the printer attached to the print server, you can access the printer anytime - no need to turn on the computer for sharing.
Belkin Wireless N Router
In home wireless computer networks, the wireless router is the center of your wireless network to allow you share the broadband internet connection. Many types of routers are equipped with USB port for share storage or share printer. Some routers with USB port can only be used for share storage; or can be used either for share storage or share printer. Having a wireless router with USB port for share printer is beneficial, since you don't need to purchase separate print server device. Unless you need a wireless print server, where you can place the printer in anywhere within the house without the clutter of the wires - and you can access it wirelessly.
Whenever you are building a wireless network in home with printer as one of your concern, you should consider the wireless router with print server (USB port) so you don't need to purchase separate print server device. The following are some of wireless routers with print server port which are available in the marketplace.
Trendnet TEW-634GRU Wireless -N Gigabit Router
TEW-634GRU is powered by the 802.11n technology with 4x gigabit LAN Ethernet ports and one 100Mbps WAN port. The router includes one USB port you can use to share USB disk storage such as Flash disk, USB External hard disk, or USB printer. It includes USB Control Center (Storage/Print Server utility) but it can only work with Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
TEW-634GRU is equipped with only one USB port, so you cannot share the printer and storage at the same time. Should you require two USB ports to share disk storage and printer at the same time, consider TEW-673GRU. TEW-673 is the dual-band Wireless -n router with two USB ports.
ASUS RT-N16 Wireless-N Gigabit Router
Unlike Tew-643, Asus Rt-N16 is still powered by draft 802.11n technology. Basically the draft version is not much different with the ratified version 802.11n. The router is equipped with the Gigabit ports for both LAN and WAN ports.This router includes 2 USB ports to allow you share storage and printer at the same time.
The good thing with ASUS RT-N16 is that it includes AiDisk to allow you share the storage everywhere with your friends using the DDNS address such as ftp:// YourName.asuscomm.com.
DIR-632 D-Link
DIR-632 is powered by the latest 802.11n technology. Unlike other wireless routers, this router is equipped with 8x 100Mbps ports and one USB port. For small offices, eight wired Ethernet ports is a good choice - twice as much as other home routers with 4x LAN ports. But for you that require fast wired connection for high-intensive bandwidth application, consider other routers with gigabit ports.
The good thing is that the router supports Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP SP3, or Mac OS X (v10.4).
Belkin New Max Play
Belkin Max Play is powered by dual-band wireless 802.11n with dual-plane antenna and MIMO technology for high performance home coverage. The router includes Torrent Genie app to let you download from Torrent even if your computer is shutdown or asleep. The router includes two USB ports to let you share printer and storage.
Belkin also introduces new Belkin dual-band wireless N600 HD router which includes 2 USB ports to allow you share printer and storage at the same time. This router is ideal for high performance gaming and home theater video streaming.
Wireless Router With Print Server - Which One Meets Your Need?belkin wireless n router
