I have been able to pick up the printer using the IP utility that Dell provides as well as through the installation program. My PCs are on the same subnet, both connected via the same switch to a router, which the printer is directly connected to.

I've not been able to pick up the printer when it is on a different subnet although I can print to it when I set up the configuration manually.

I can recognize the printer but cannot access the scanner.  I am also interested in the resolution of this issue.

I am furious that they did not disclose that the printer did not have a network scan feature.  I spoke with Dell support.  They don't even disclose this in the blurb on the Dell web site

They should enable this feature and make this product a real winner.

With all the complaints about the inability to scan across the network, I got thinking about what devices do let you do this.

As far as I can tell (from a very quick perusal of the HP site), the only print server that supports this functionality is the HP JetDirect en3700 http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/ho/WF06c/A10-12771-64302-34214-64302-329196-329198-329199.html. It costs $250. It sounds like the HP LaserJet 3020 is comparable to the Dell 1600n http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/ho/WF06c/A10-12771-64302-34214-64302-329196-329198-329199.html and it costs $400. So you're looking at $650 for the total package.

Now, this doesn't excuse the fact that the expectation is that networking scanning is supported on the Dell based on the little information available on the web site. In fact even the product documentation is pretty silent on the matter. The only thing that clued me to the inability to scan over the network was the fact that the scanning software isn't installed unless you select the USB connection during driver installation. So if the printer doesn't do what you want it to do, send it back. For me, the printer does what I need considering the price.

Having said all this, it seems reasonable to me that if the printer can scan to memory and send email to an address when it need toner or has a paper jam, it should be able to scan to memory and email the scanned document to an email address. Perhaps this is an enhancement that could be made available at some point?

Well that would qualify as a work around, but its quite a work around.  I've gotten a slew of emails from people who either ordered this printer and are shocked to find out that it can not function as a network scanner - or - were considering it but are no longer doing so.

I have found a way to scan to a network with my 1600 (little wierd but it works)

I connected a XP station to the 1600 via USB cable, and sent up the station as a mini server.  The users go to that station via remote desktop and use the paperport. 

It saves to a shared folder on that station.  Then the users have a mapped drive to that folder, shortcut on desktop.

I agree, I was very dissappointed when it wouldn't do it any other way, but for the price and speed it was a good deal. 

Garry

IT Systems Administrator

Title Management Inc.

This is a not very expensive machine and it's designed to scan and work locally.
If you want to use network scans, you might want to consider looking for another model (and prepare to pay much more).

The point is that I purchased this product with the understanding that all features were available via the network interface.  Neither the sales rep nor the web site told me differently.  Dell is not properly marketing this product.  I do not dispute that the unit is a good "bang for the buck", nonetheless, I was under the impression, from Dell, that this product offers features that it does not.  That is my issue. 

Hey all,  

Just wanted to let you know there is a new firmware/software update available.  Allows you to scan over the network!!!

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R90776&SystemID=PRN_LSR_1600N&category=0&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=6782&devlib=40&fileid=118334