Wi-Fi Printer??

[EK 2.0]

I don't even know if Wi-Fi is the right term...but here is my story...Toms-SC has been waiting on this for about 24 hours haha...


The current set up at home is as follows...

Shaw High Speed (lil mini modem) into a linksys WRT54GS v2. From there a desktop is cat 5-ed right into the router and then 3 notebooks are wireless...

We have 2 printers in the home...Both are Brothers...

Brother MFC 420CN (yes I bought a "420" multi-function) - USB, Network and Parallel connectivity.

Brother DCP7020 Laser - USB and parallel connectivity.

Back in the day the MFC (which has a network cable port) was set up as a network device...I have no problems with that.) But situations in the home have changed and the printer was moved to another room. What I am asking, is there a way to make either of those "wireless" network printers??...Say if I just go ahead and purchase a USB wireless network adapter will it pick up on my home network and allow all users from anywhere in the home to print?? Bringing the printer back into wired reach of the router is not an option unfortunately. And no, we will not purchase an entirely NEW printer that may have a wireless function already built in either....

If you need anymore questions answered please let me know...

Thanks for taking the time...

Arif.

[Toms-SC]

I'll check this out during lunch.

[Grogador]

If those are inkjet, new printer with wifi will cost you less than replacement ink cartridges ;) Anyway, wireless print servers (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/Computers(ME)/NetworkingHardware(ME)/NetworkingWireless(ME)/WirelessPrintServers(ME)/Default.aspx) or wireless ethernet bridges (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/Computers(ME)/NetworkingHardware(ME)/NetworkingWireless(ME)/WirelessBridge(ME)/Default.aspx) can do what you want, but they're not cheap either.

[Toms-SC]

Yea just reread it all. You'll need a Wireless Print Server, New wireless printer or connect one of your printers to your laptop and share it out.

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by Grogador

If those are inkjet, new printer with wifi will cost you less than replacement ink cartridges ;) Anyway, wireless print servers (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/Computers(ME)/NetworkingHardware(ME)/NetworkingWireless(ME)/WirelessPrintServers(ME)/Default.aspx) or wireless ethernet bridges (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/Computers(ME)/NetworkingHardware(ME)/NetworkingWireless(ME)/WirelessBridge(ME)/Default.aspx) can do what you want, but they're not cheap either.


One is an inkjet and the other a laser...both are located in the "office" of the home...but no one ever uses that room for an office haha...

And unfortunately replacing any of the 2 products is out of the question...especially for the laser model...


Cool, appreciate all the responses...

I think I will end up going with a print server...this way everyone has access to printers versus having to go into the office and hook up a USB cable...


Thanks again...

This section is gonna rock...

[adam c]

if wi-fi isn't a priority, you don't need to have a print server

[EK 2.0]

Is there another way to share these printers with all 4 machines in their current location Adam??

[adam c]

yea, install the printer on one machine and open it up for sharing

[Grogador]

Originally posted by adam c
yea, install the printer on one machine and open it up for sharing

Then that machine has to on when you want to print. You can also get routers with built-in printservers, if moving router+modem there is an option. For your laser, see if it has an addon slot for ethernet or other controllers.

[adam c]

it does yes, but it actually takes less power to keep a computer running then it does it shut it down and start it up all the time

btw who shuts off their computers anymore anyways? with torrents and stuff downloading?

[Grogador]

Originally posted by adam c
it does yes, but it actually takes less power to keep a computer running then it does it shut it down and start it up all the time

haha ok :rolleyes:

[hampstor]

Buy a wireless print server:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX14360(ME).aspx

Place printers wherever you want, connect the printers to the print server, setup print server on your wireless network, setup the printers on each computer on the network (assuming your network is simple peer to peer).

[ZorroAMG]

Us mac guys just hook up our printer to the Airport Extreme ( I have a color inkjet and b&w laser, both HP) and I wirelessly connect as soon as I have wifi.

Is it not that simple for PC's?

[Grogador]

Originally posted by ZorroAMG
Us mac guys just hook up our printer to the Airport Extreme ( I have a color inkjet and b&w laser, both HP) and I wirelessly connect as soon as I have wifi.

Is it not that simple for PC's?


Originally posted by Grogador
You can also get routers with built-in printservers, if moving router+modem there is an option.

PC's don't come with pre-fagified routers.

[ZorroAMG]

How is that even a comment? Not funny, not insulting, not informative...not anything.

I feel sorry for your keyboard.

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by hampstor

Buy a wireless print server:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX14360(ME).aspx

Place printers wherever you want, connect the printers to the print server, setup print server on your wireless network, setup the printers on each computer on the network (assuming your network is simple peer to peer).


OK, Mr. Tran...what is a peer to peer network??:confused:

Sorry for all the questions haha...

[redx2nv]

replace the ink jet, i just picked up a lexmark wireless ink jet that works awesome for $29

[shadowz]

Originally posted by EK 2.0



OK, Mr. Tran...what is a peer to peer network??:confused:

Sorry for all the questions haha...

Peer to peer is typically more than one pc that shares information, rather that having a data server to hold all your information

[flipstah]

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10113155&catid=21192&logon=&langid=EN

I have this at home and it's been stellar!

EDIT: Damn, you won't buy a new one. As stated, a printer server is your best bet.

Should read more before posting prematurely.

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by shadowz

Peer to peer is typically more than one pc that shares information, rather that having a data server to hold all your information


Hmmm, then I THINK it's set up as a peer to peer right now...or is it??...how does one tell??

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by EK 2.0



OK, Mr. Tran...what is a peer to peer network??:confused:

Sorry for all the questions haha...

Hampstor kinda got it right, for the USB printer. But your MFC may have problem with that print server.

MFC driver/software usually don't work well with print servers. Especially functions outside of printing.

Since your MFC already have a network port, all you need is a wireless bridge like this one:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1175243409374&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=0937433028B63

Set the bridge up, plug into the printer's network port and it should bring the MFC on the network. And it will operate the same as your current network set up.

[EK 2.0]

I should have mentioned...

That with the MFC my parents only now use it to print and fax...

They don't use it as a scanner or anything else that it may do anymore...

So the print server is still the best route??

[Alterac]

Fax from the computer? or just oldman walk to the fax machine and use paper?

If just printing from computer, those multi usb ones work well.

You could also look into something like this:
http://www.netgear.com/Products/PrintServers/WirelessPrintServers/WGPS606.aspx?detail=Related+Products

or something like this:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=482


Really, in that situation, i would replace it all with one network mfc laser :D but you said no.