Share scanner across multiple PCs?

[oldskooladdict]

I've just got me a new scanner (Canon LiDE 110) which I've got connected to my PC via USB and is working fine. I've got a couple of other PCs and Laptops in the house I'd like to use the scanner from too.

It doesn't look like I can share the sanner straight from Windows 7 (as you would a printer), so, besides having to connect the USB cable manually each time and install the software on each of the PCs what options do I have?

The 'host' PC will be running Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) and the connecting machines range from XP Home, Vista Home Premium and 7 Home Premium (32 bit).

Not sure if I can do something clever with my cat5 ports on my router?!

Any ideas appreaicated Thanks!

[GoNz0]

when i setup this new laptop yesterday on the homegroup it found the printer and installed the drivers so i expect the scanner will be the same ?

[Agent]

The auto-install share thing will only happen for WHQL drivers. If you don't have these, you'll need to manually share it, although I've not tried this so YMMV: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...roup-computers

AFAIK, the same stands true for scanners as well as printers.

[oldskooladdict]

I took a look at the sanner on my pc and I couldn't see any sharing options - as you'd get with a printer for example...

[Agent]

Another route then would be to make a shared documents area and have the scanner directly put the file there once it's scanned.

This should you mean you just put the document on, press the scan button and grab it from any PC on the network

[oldskooladdict]

Thanks Agent, that sounds like a good plan. I guess the only caveat with that method is the settings will be the same each time but I guess if you just make sure they're high quality settings you can always downsize I guess

[blueball]

There are some USB Switches that can support sharing (Belkin and Eminent both make them) but I don't know about device compatability.

[Blastuk]

Another route then would be to make a shared documents area and have the scanner directly put the file there once it's scanned.

This should you mean you just put the document on, press the scan button and grab it from any PC on the network

This is pretty much how I do it.
I've never seen scanner support over a network before...

[DrATty]

I don't think you'll find a way to share your scanner in the way you would like.
I used to have a stand-alone scanner wired to my XP Pro desktop PC in my 'office'. I could use it remotely via Remote Desktop and share the scans in a shared folder. If the computer wasn't on I used Wake on LAN to power it up.
I now have a multi-function device (MFD) and it is shared on my network. It's a Canon mx850 and, although the scans aren't quite as good as those from my dedicated scanner, there's not much in it.
I can't say that scanner sharing has been particularly useful. I still have to go to the scanner to change documents. The automatic document feed on my mx850 is a help in this respect. If you can afford if, I'd recommend buying an MFD. There are some bargains to be had but unfortunately, none have scanners as good as those on stand-alone devices.

[Angus]

We have a Belkin USB hub that attaches to our router. Haven't had any problems with it yet and works through some Belkin software on each client. The scanner driver software sits on the clients as well. We've attached a fair variety of USB peripherals through it including TomTom, cameras, USB hdd, scanner, printer. Because router is wireless the USB ports work wirelessly as well.

[chrestomanci]

If there is a linux computer on your network, then I beleve that SANE (The Linux Scanner software) does allow scanners to be shared, and you can install a SANE client on your windows computers that will allow you to remote contol the scanner from any computer on your network.

The client should also give access to other programs that can request scans such a photoshop or OCR software.

[MikiLek]

You definitely can share your scanner on a network using ScanWorks RemoteTwain. RemoteTwain is a TWAIN driver so you still can use your favorite scan application and scan from scanner remotely. Application will work as if this scanner would be attached to your computer.

[blueball]

You definitely can share your scanner on a network using ScanWorks RemoteTwain. RemoteTwain is a TWAIN driver so you still can use your favorite scan application and scan from scanner remotely. Application will work as if this scanner would be attached to your computer.

But it requires that the scanner is attached to a pc which is left on. The USB switch is prob a neater option.

[mikerr]

We have a Belkin USB hub that attaches to our router. Haven't had any problems with it yet and works through some Belkin software on each client. The scanner driver software sits on the clients as well. We've attached a fair variety of USB peripherals through it including TomTom, cameras, USB hdd, scanner, printer. Because router is wireless the USB ports work wirelessly as well.

This one?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-F5L00.../dp/B000WQ9BPM