If you’ve ever had to unplug a USB cable and carry it across the office just to print, this article is for you.

For years, small offices have relied on the same workaround: plug the printer into one “host” computer, enable sharing, and hope that computer never sleeps, shuts down, or reboots. The moment it does, printing stops for everyone.

A dedicated print server solves this cleanly. It connects your USB printer directly to the network, so any Windows, macOS, or Linux computer on the LAN can print — without a host PC, and without swapping cables.

How It Works

The idea is simple:

Plug your USB printer into the print server.

Connect the print server to your network via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable.

Install the printer driver on each computer — our free setup tool walks you through the rest.

From that point on, every computer can print as if the printer were plugged directly into it. No host computer, no cable swapping, no “the printer is offline” calls across the office.

It also uses dramatically less power. The LP-N110W runs at about 2.5W in operation — roughly 1/30 the power of leaving a desktop PC on as a print host.

Which Print Server Fits Your Setup?

Different offices have different needs, which is why we offer a full range:

PrintBox — Our value option for home use. A simple way to share one USB printer across the computers on your home network.

LP-N110W — The office workhorse. One USB port, dual Ethernet ports for cross-subnet deployment, plus 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Ideal for a single shared office printer.

LP-N110W (Scan Edition) — The same shared printing, plus on-demand LAN scanning. When someone needs to scan, they open the free virtual USB tool on their computer, scan to desktop, then exit — one computer at a time.

LP-N211W — Two USB ports, for offices that need to share two printers at once.

LP-N311W — Three USB ports, for busier offices running three printers on the same network.

Choosing the Right Model

A quick way to decide:

Your Situation      Recommended Model

Home use, one printer, tight budget      PrintBox

One office printer, multiple computers   LP-N110W

Office printing + occasional scanning     LP-N110W (Scan Edition)

Two printers to share  LP-N211W

Three printers to share       LP-N311W

A Few Things to Know Before You Buy

Compatibility: Our print servers work with about 95% of standard USB printers — including laser, inkjet, dot matrix, and thermal label printers. However, printers that rely solely on host-based (GDI) drivers, or use proprietary USB handshake protocols (common in some entry-level Canon, HP, and Epson models), may not be fully compatible. Not sure? Send us your printer model and we’ll confirm within 24 hours.

Multi-function printers: These devices support printing over the network. Fax and ink/toner level monitoring are not available through the network. Scanning is supported only on the Scan Edition, one computer at a time.

Setup: The whole process typically takes a few minutes. You can use our free setup tool, or configure manually by adding a new port with the print server’s IP address.

Bottom line: if your office is still relying on a host PC or swapping USB cables, a dedicated print server is one of the simplest upgrades you can make — and it pays for itself in saved time, fewer “printer is down” interruptions, and lower electricity costs.

Ready to find the right model? Browse the full print server range or contact us with your printer model — we’ll help you confirm compatibility before you order.