Whitepaper Library
SEH regularly publishes technologically and strategically orientated whitepapers covering various topics relating to network technology and network printing. Our whitepapers are availabel as PDF files for download.
Accessing USB Devices via the Network
The USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a simple connection standard used to attach a great number of diverse peripheral devices to PCs and notebooks. Until recently, technical reasons allowed only the connection of USB devices locally or via USB switch.
Using non-network-enabled USB Output Devices (GDI Printers, Multifunctional Peripherals, Copiers) via the Network
Until now so-called GDI printers – i.e. low-priced USB printers with the Windows interface GDI (Graphic Device Interface) – or non-network-enabled multifunctional peripherals (MFP) could only be deployed locally as single workstation printers because they are not equipped with a processor, have very little memory at their disposal, and rely on the resources of a Windows PC for processing print data. Also, such USB output devices communicate exclusively via proprietary printer languages. For these reasons they could not be shared in a network. The new software release 10.2.x by SEH includes the feature USB-to-Network (UTN). This allows users to access GDI printers, non-network-enabled copiers, and MFPs via the net just like a fully developed network printer. This white paper explains how using the USB print servers PS03a, PS23a, PS34a, PS34a-PoE, and PS54a-G with UTN makes it possible to access such output devices in a Windows network independent of make and model.