Whats the advantage of placing my HP printer on the network, as opposed to directly attaching to desktop?

Is there an advantage if I place my new HP printer on the network (connected directly to the router) as opposed to directly attaching it to my desktop and sharing it? (Like sharing with a labtop at home)





What are some pros/cons if I do this? Is it advantageous to use it on the network instead?Whats the advantage of placing my HP printer on the network, as opposed to directly attaching to desktop?
If you connect the printer with a USB cable to a computer and want to share it on the network, that computer will need to be turned on in order for other computers to have access to it. If you buy a print server, if your printer has a built in print server (ethernet port), or if your printer has wifi built in, the network functionality will act the same way as a router does to share your network.





The best analogy I can use is dialup. In the dialup days, me and my sister's computer would be connected directly together. One computer would be the host, and the other computer would be the client. If my computer is the client, I would dial my Internet connection. I would then enable Internet Connection Sharing so that my sister can access the Internet. My computer has to be turned on in order for that other computer to have access. Now, we have high speed, and we just use a router. The router stays on all the time, so we don't have to worry about leaving a computer on all the time. The same thing is true when you have a print server, a built in print server, or a printer that has wifi.Whats the advantage of placing my HP printer on the network, as opposed to directly attaching to desktop?
The guys above me are correct. And personally I prefer the network since if you are just sharing it, the computer where the printer is plugged in needs to be ON everytime you are printing something. And you are only sharing the printing capabilities. And in case you're having issues with the driver on the main computer, all the rest of the computers will be affected. Whereas with network, scanning and printing even if the other computers are turned off will still work. If you use the software that comes with it, you can also do copying and faxing (cover letters) from the computer, but of course you need to put the document you want to copy or fax on the printer itself. =)





PS: You can actually still create a printer icon on your computer for USB if you want to (just in case). You would know that the printer icon is for the network since it will show an IP address under it. Just insert cd that came with the printer and choose add a device. This way, you always have the USB set up in case your network fails.
Attaching it to the network


Pros:


The Router consumes less power intead of a computer.


Save money: Networked printers cost less per user.


Improve productivity: it is cost effective to add highly capable printers that have higher resolutions, faster speeds, advanced paper handling, and more to your network when all of your company's users can benefit from them.


Streamline management: you can manage networked printers remotely.





Attaching it to a computer


Cons:


The computer must be turned on to share with the rest of the network. Consumes more power.


The computer gets more traffic.





For both: depening of the topology the route of the data can be longer or shorter.
I believe if it's shared from the desktop, other computers will have to join the network to access it. If it's connected to the router, I would assume that anyone who connects to the router can access the printer.





I would go with attaching it to the desktop, so that if something fails with the router you at least always have a hard wired connection.
If the printer is attached to the desktop, your desktop has to be switched on in order for your laptop to access the printer.
you can use it on a computer the printer is not hooked up to


via network connection