Printer Sharing

Tera · #1 18th Sep 2008, 01:47

Hi
I attend a disabled centre.
They have 4 computers in one room and they want to share the one printer cheaply.
They also have 3 computers and another printer in another room, and 2 plus one printer in another.
They do not have the internet so I was looking at using
http://svp.co.uk/product/edimax_es_3...t_switch_hw221
Would this work ok?
I have tried with my router and it worked but seeing as there's no internet was hoping this product would do the job as they are very cheap (which it needs to be).
I queried the product with svp explaining what I wanted it for but they just directed me to wireless routers.

Thanks for any advice

**Black Magic** · #2 18th Sep 2008, 08:30

What kind of printer is it? Link a site with the product info then ill tell you how to set it up properly

Tera · #3 18th Sep 2008, 09:06

The printers are all usb Epson.
I saw Edimax ES-3105P 5-Port 10/100Mbps Ethernet Switch
http://svp.co.uk/product/edimax_es_3...t_switch_hw221 very cheap.
The Centre is private run and won't spend much so if this product will do the job that would be great.

**Black Magic** · #4 18th Sep 2008, 19:49

The Ethernet Switch is good as it acts like a router, so heres what you need to do:

1st: You will need an Ethernet Cable (Cat5e or RJ45 are standard) for each computer in the room. Now first plug all the computers into the router/switch using the cables

2nd: Install the printer's drivers on one computer on each network. This only works if you have a properly installed LAN (either wired or wireless)

3rd: Now, you will need to plug the printer in to the computer that has the driver installed. This computer will need to be turned on when you are trying to print.

4th: Now you will need to run the Network Setup Wizard on all the computers, starting with the one that has the printer installed on it. Select the options that suit the type of network you need.

5th: Now at the end of the wizard, it will ask you if you want to turn on file and printer sharing. Turn this option on.

Now that you are done running the wizard on all the computers, the printer should work. If it doesnt, then tell me and ill troubleshoot the method. It works on XP, but i am not sure if it will do the same for other operating systems.

Tera · #5 23rd Sep 2008, 12:04

sorry for late reply, been under the weather.
I've took your advice and ordered the switches.
Thanks for your help.

**serverguy** · #6 6th Oct 2008, 15:49

From experience, I suggest you install the printer driver on EVERY computer. IE, go to each computer in turn and stick the printer's CD in it.

If it asks you to connect the printer, just say you'll do it later.

Otherwise do exactly as Black Magic said.

The reason I say this is because, unless your under a AD Domain, printer sharing is a bit pathetic, with none of the computer really wanting to take responsibility for printing, even when told to.

You may also want to have a look for a print server, which would mean you wouldn't always have to have the computer hosting the printer turned on to print.

**Black Magic** · #7 8th Oct 2008, 08:27

Yes well XP can automatically transfer drivers from one computer to another, if they are on a network.

**serverguy** · #8 8th Oct 2008, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Magic

Yes well XP can automatically transfer drivers from one computer to another, if they are on a network.

True.

But from what I have experienced, and have read on many pro IT admin sites, and in magazines etc, the general consensus is it is better to install the drivers on each PC. Not all the bundled crap, just the bare driver.

If you have an AD environment, with a dedicated print server, then of course it is not necessary, but when there is no print server, then the best way is individually installing the drivers.