Digital BW, The Print

Sorry for the OT, but... I'm about to hook up a scanner (Epson 4870) 
to make some large files from negs. Due to space limitations, I'd like 
to put it in another room with an older computer. So the question is, 
how much computer power does it take to make big scans? After scanning 
I'd be sending the files through an ethernet network to their final 
storage (& editing) space. Is the transferring where I would need the 
computer power? Or, how about this: can I run the scanner through the 
network, allowing me to use the more powerful computer in a different 
location? Thanks.