wired access point

alferret · 05-09-2008, 22:33

I want to expand my network.
I have a 4 port linksys router and I want to add more ports preferably with a usb print server.
Suggestions please

**Rob** · 06-09-2008, 00:51

Any switch will do for expansion of the ethernet wired network. I'd stick to the main brands of linksys, netgear, d-link, belkin, but can't see a problem with any really assuming they are an auto detect 10/100 and also auto sensing on the uploading port (i.e. no crossover cable needed).

As for the print server aspect, far more tempermental. Any time I've tried to network a printer, I've only done this reliably if the printer is ethernet enabled so I can set a "server" computer to control it's functions.

DaiNasty · 06-09-2008, 07:09

You could consider a usb printer server as a separate item. This will convert the usb printer into a networked unit.

Something like this:
http://www.netgear.co.uk/usb_print_server_ps121.php

They can be picked up quite cheaply on eBay.

That plus a switch would do the job.

alferret · 06-09-2008, 10:46

So I could get something like this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132457

and plug into that the
http://www.netgear.co.uk/usb_print_server_ps121.php
as recommended by Dai and jobs a goodun.

---------- Post added at 10:46 ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

As for the print server aspect, far more tempermental. Any time I've tried to network a printer, I've only done this reliably if the printer is ethernet enabled so I can set a "server" computer to control it's functions.

I do have a print server on a wireless belkin router and it does work apart from the status monitor for the printer. But I dont want to use wireless and I'm looking to extend our home network beyond the 4 ports that has anyway.

DaiNasty · 06-09-2008, 17:26

In theory, yes. Anything you plug into the switch should get an IP from the DHCP server in your original Linksys router so that's good.

You can set the print server to a fixed IP with the software supplied so it's easy to map to that from any of your PCs and know it's going to stay the same.