Printing, Wirelessly
 

My parents just got a wi-fi laptop and router. I don't have much experience with wireless. I haven't seen the router yet, and I don't know what brand it is.
My question is, is there a way they can hook up the printer so they can print wirelessly? Is there a box that connects to the router or something? The only other option is for them to leave their old desktop running just to network the printer.

thanks

Most of the time the newer printers have ethernet connections, so you can just hook it right up to your router. That being said, I've never done it that way, so I'm not sure about the specifics.

You need a print server. Now don't get psyched! A print server is not a large box humming and flickering. A print server is very small, sits on your desk, and I just happen to have <a href="http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=32&prid=133">one</a> for sale!

$40.00, you pay the shipping, and it will do what you are asking. I am swapping to a single printer with an RJ45, so I won't need the server, or the 970cxi w/duplexing.


quick edit: in accordance to TFP rules, and just being an honest person, I gaurantee the server is in working condition. There is nothing wrong with it, I am just changing some things on the network as I stated above.

Their router may also be capable of functioning as a print server. Make sure you check before you buy one.

Not to rain on poof's parade, but there are less bulky alternatives at CompUSA for approximately the same price.

For USB printers:
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...183&pfp=SEARCH

and

For Parallel printers:
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...760&pfp=SEARCH

You can just hook the printer up to a desktop and share it.....

Re: Printing, Wirelessly
 

Merkerguitars, I think he's already aware of the network sharing feature through his parent's desktop. I think, now I could have misread too, that his intention is to cut the serving *computer* out of the equation and allow the printer to operate independently.

If going by what tritium is saying, then you will need a print server.

Some routers come with a print server built-in. Models such as the Dlink 714+ has a parralel printer connection. If you are looking for a usb one, then take a look at the SMC 2804WBRP-G.

If you don't want to purchase a router, then you can just buy a print server by itself. Quite a few brands sell them. So have a look.

Otherwise, if you don't want to do either option that I mentioned up above, then you can connect it to one computer and have that computer share it. The main disadvantage is that when you want to print from any computer, the printer with the computer connected to it must be turned on.

Thanks for all the answers.
I will check to see what kind of router they have. Thanks for the offer, poof, but i will probably buy new.

Another question:
In researching print servers (CompUSA has an IOgear for $49.99) i noticed that the non-wireless ones say they work with 10/100 networks. Am I right that a 802.11b wireless network ISN'T a 10/100 network? Can I plug this print server in after the wireless router and plug the printer into it?
Thanks again

You mean hooking a wireless access point onto the print server? That ought to do just fine. The access point will provide ethernet (aka 10/100) network service.

Just watch out for wardrivers printing stuff on your printer! :crazy:

Thanks, ratbastid.......

Good tip, but i don't think there is much wardriving in door county, wisconsin.
I'm sure there are still more CB antennas than wireless networks.