How Do I Connect A Printer To A Network?

Robbie34 · 28-04-2009, 19:55

I have just ordered a Linksys WRT54GL router, and I want to connect my Canon Pixma IP3000 to the network. What will I need to buy for the printer so that I can print remotely from my laptop?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Halcyon · 28-04-2009, 20:03

Firstly,

to the forums.

From what I can see this printer does not have an ethernet port or wirelesss built in so there are two options you can have here:

1) Buy a print server that you plug into your existing router and then plug your printer into the print server. The print server will deal with all your printing.
eg. This print server: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/35655

or

2) Plug the printer by USB to one of your computers and use file and print sharing to allow your other networked computers to print to it. With this option however, you will need the PC the printer is connected to to be switched on for printing to take place as that PC acts as the print server.

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/w...er-sharing.htm

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx

Hom3r · 28-04-2009, 20:05

Option 1 is what I would go for, and what I do.

Dai · 28-04-2009, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie34

I have just ordered a Linksys WRT54GL router, and I want to connect my Canon Pixma IP3000 to the network. What will I need to buy for the printer so that I can print remotely from my laptop?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi Robbie, welcome to cable forum.
If your Canon printer has just a USB interface then it will need to be directly connected to a PC.

Other computers on the network can share this printer but only if the connected PC is switched on.

An alternative is to have the printer connected via a print server.
This connects your printer direct to the router and gives it an IP address so you can print from any other PC on the network.

Edit.. must type faster..

Robbie34 · 28-04-2009, 20:19

Many thanks for all of your replies, and so speedy.

I guess it will be the print server route, eventually. I have just bought a new laptop and router so I'll have to save a few more pennies.

Again, thanks everybody.

tweetiepooh · 30-04-2009, 15:27

You could use your old PC as a print server either using print sharing as mentioned before or install Linux and use the print server in that. You could also then use the machine for other purposes like a file store, web server etc.