Two separate Networks? PC and printer

Question

I have a Dimension 9150 set up on a simple Home Network with a wireless adaptor. I have a network capable laser printer which I wanted to connect solely to this desktop. As the wireless router is elsewhere in the house, I connected the PC and printer directly with Ethernet cable. Here's the problem;   I normally leave the 'Local Area Network' in the Connections property disabled, as otherwise the Wireless stops working. (Not always) When I enable the Local Area Network, I have to disable the Wireless Network in order for the PC to communicate with the printer. (Every time)   Is there any way for me to keep the printer physically connected with the network cable without disrupting the home network?   I could have used USB, but I already have so many devices connected, whether that's the problem I don't know but quite often the PC reports errors, and that's why I was looking for an alternative solution. As it can be physically connected, I'm hoping that a change in setting might do, but so far I haven't been able to get it right.   Hope somebody could enlighten me!

mombodog · Answer

If you know the IP address of that printer, you can configure the tcp/ip properties for that adapter manually, turning off DHCP.

ryochan · Answer

Thanks for your reply!   I think I have tried something like that a while ago, still didn't seem to work... I am able to configure the IP address of the printer as well, the three things are: IP, sub-net and Gateway. Maybe it's to do with what I set as 'gateway'?   Obviously the PC is connected wirelessly to the Router, but in the meantime, the printer is only connected physically to the PC. How should I set the PC LAN adaptor's Gateway, and the Printer's?   Or is it something else? I have gone through some of the basics such as configuring firewalls etc...

mombodog · Answer

The documentation or user guide for that printer will tell you how to configure the TCP/IP settings.

ryochan · Answer

I can figure out how to set the TCP/IP settings, not sure to what.   Say the Gateway of the wireless network is 192.168.2.1, and the wireless router and the wireless adaptor on the PC is set to this.   The printer is connected physically to the PC, but do I need to set a different gateway, as an 'independent' network?   I was hoping that there might be an option to simply use the Network cable 'instead' of USB?

cerbera_a84f2d · Answer

Another solution is to look at using a RJ45<>wireless converter to allow you to connect the printer to your wireless network, then you would be using it in a 'standard' config - have a look at DLink DWL-G810, there's equivalents from other manufacturersaround; you can find second hand ones ( Netgear WGE111, DLink etc ) on EBay

ryochan · Answer

I hadn't thought of that! Come to think of it, how do wireless 'Print servers' work? Can they be incorporated into an existing home network, or does it have to be connected to the router physically with a cable?   I have a USB inkjet printer which I wouldn't mind disconnecting from my over-USB-loaded PC.

cerbera_a84f2d · Answer

Wireless print servers have a USB on one side, and look like a networked printer from the point of view of the clients, so the physical cable connection is from server to printer, the network connection is wireless.   My experience with them is that they can be flaky when compared to printers with a built in network interface.....but they do represent an elegant way of network sharing USB printers.

ryochan · Answer

Thanks for your advice, shall certainly take it into account!   One question though, if I were to opt for the Print Server option, do I need to set up a different wireless network, or is there a way to integrate into the existing home network? (Similar problem I had originally, at the top of my post)   The trouble is, the printers are nowhere near the wireless router...

cerbera_a84f2d · Answer

Not sure if you are talking about the printer that has the network interface, or your other printer thats USB.   In the case of the printer with the network port, there is already a print server onboard the printer, so all you need is to use the ethernet copper<>wireless adapator like the one's in my original post ( Netgear WGE311 etc )   In the case of the USB printer, then you need the wireless print server.   In both cases they will be clients in your wireless network, so will be integrated into your LAN; the only issue you may face is whether they are in range of the access point in the router.   Depending on what level of security you have configured for wireless on the router, you will have to configure the print server and/or adaptor with things like SSID and WEP or WPA key, and if you have locked down MAC addresses, you will have to add the MAC addresses of the server to the MAC address table on the router.

ryochan · Answer

Just realised, I have a redundant Belkin Wireless Modem/Router F5D7630uk, as I have upgraded to a Netgear "N" model.

Would any one know if it's possible to use it as a wireless client/adaptor to connect to my existing wireless network??

Something like:

PC1 > wireless connection > Netgear Wireless Modem/Router < PC2

^

?Wireless Connection?

^

Konica Minolta Network Printer > cable connection > Belkin Wireless Modem/Router

(Configured to work as a wireless adaptor?)

Message Edited by ryochan on 04-02-2007 09:48 PM

ryochan · Answer

Since I have a USB only Inkjet sitting next to the Network enabled Laser, I thought it might be a good opportunity to invest in some kind of solution.   The range should be all right, as I got a new router which seems to do well with my desk top with the wireless adaptor.   My concern was from the fact that I couldn't configure the Ethernet cable-connected printer to work directly with the desk top PC on its LAN adaptor, the PC which has a wireless adaptor connected to the wireless router for the internet.   Rather complicating, but your advice has certainly put things in perspective, thanks for your help!

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Two separate Networks? PC and printer

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