Attaching printer to router

richlevy · 09-07-2003, 07:56 PM

I have a wireless/wired Linksys router which currently has one computer attached via cable and another accessing via wireless. I would like to attach a printer to be shared by both.

I bought a cheap printer with only a parallel connection. Is there any inexpensive piece of hardware which would allow me to attach the printer directly to the router?

I was considering attaching the printer the the wired computer and allowing printer sharing, but I have heard that even though the hardware firewall and my software firewalls, this is a bad idea.

SteveDallas · 09-07-2003, 09:16 PM

You want a print server. The HP JetDirects are the classics and have the price to show for it. I have been happy with Netgear ones that I have at work, but practically everybody who makes network gizmos will have an option for you. Price probably $50 to $75 if you're getting one with one parallel port and one ethernet port. Plug it into your printer and router respectively and run the installer on each computer; you'll be in business. You can get wireless ones but of course they cost a bit more.

If you really have a router that's set up not to pass SMB (the M$ file-sharing protocols), and you don't mind some of the logistical tradeoffs (can't print when the printer-connected computer is turned off, etc.), I don't see why you shouldn't share it off of the computer.

09-07-2003, 07:56 PM	#1
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	Attaching printer to router I have a wireless/wired Linksys router which currently has one computer attached via cable and another accessing via wireless. I would like to attach a printer to be shared by both. I bought a cheap printer with only a parallel connection. Is there any inexpensive piece of hardware which would allow me to attach the printer directly to the router? I was considering attaching the printer the the wired computer and allowing printer sharing, but I have heard that even though the hardware firewall and my software firewalls, this is a bad idea. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

09-07-2003, 09:16 PM	#2
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	You want a print server. The HP JetDirects are the classics and have the price to show for it. I have been happy with Netgear ones that I have at work, but practically everybody who makes network gizmos will have an option for you. Price probably $50 to $75 if you're getting one with one parallel port and one ethernet port. Plug it into your printer and router respectively and run the installer on each computer; you'll be in business. You can get wireless ones but of course they cost a bit more. If you really have a router that's set up not to pass SMB (the M$ file-sharing protocols), and you don't mind some of the logistical tradeoffs (can't print when the printer-connected computer is turned off, etc.), I don't see why you shouldn't share it off of the computer.

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