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| Thread ID: 85097 | 2007-11-29 18:20:00 | Hardware suggestion for network & shared printer setup please | Tukapa (62) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 616556 | 2007-11-29 18:20:00 | Hi all Just wanting to set up a system with two laptops accessing a single laser printer. Cables can be run as it is in an office environment and all units will be reasonably close to each other. My question is what hardware do I need to make this work. Both laptops have wireless and ethernet ports. The laser printer has (from memory at the moment) both USB and ethernet port. Was also thinking maybe a NAS in the mix somewhere so that both laptops can have access to a shared drive. If anyone can point me in the right direction for the type of hardware (and any suggestions for reliable hardware from experience) I would be most grateful. Cheers in advance. |
Tukapa (62) | ||
| 616557 | 2007-11-29 18:45:00 | I am not an expert, but I can tell you what I have: I am running a laptop and standard pc on an intranet. I understand that if you are networking only two pcs then you need only a cable. I am using a hub as occasionally my computer guru hooks into the network as well. All you need do is install the printer software on the second laptop and you should be away. It's quite simple - even I can do it! It is important that both pcs use the same name for the workgroup. In microsoft software the default name is "workgroup" so why change it if it works? As to using wireless as opposed to cable: cable is simple and cheap but be aware that others can use your wireless if it is not made secure. Both pcs can share each others HD, printer, everything, but you need to set up sharing which is also simple. Hope that helps. |
Roscoe (6288) | ||
| 616558 | 2007-11-29 19:25:00 | I'd hook up the two laptops to a switch and the printer too. Set the printer to a static IP address if it is possible. It's the simplest way of doing it |
bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 616559 | 2007-11-29 19:32:00 | Yeah switch with maybe a printer server service. | SolMiester (139) | ||
| 616560 | 2007-12-01 01:33:00 | Thanks so far for your suggestions. This is what I'm looking at: Two laptops Laser Printer (with 10/100 network and USB2) (h20271.www2.hp.com) The laptops and printer I already have. I am looking at getting: This as a NAS device to allow shared storage (www.maxtorsolutions.com) A gigabit switch like this (pconlineshop.co.nz) Am I right in thinking I would just plug both the laptops and the NAS into the switch (with ethernet cable) which would allow both laptops to use the NAS as a shared drive? Also am I right in thinking that I could then plug the printer into the USB plug on the back of the NAS which would then make that available for both laptops to print from (or would I plug it into the switch with ethernet cable)? First time I have looked at doing this and am a little confused. Cheers. |
Tukapa (62) | ||
| 616561 | 2007-12-01 01:55:00 | I'd just stick the Printer into a spare RJ45 socket. | bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 616562 | 2007-12-01 21:21:00 | Thanks. So I'm on the right track then with hardware? Nothing that I'm missing that I need? A switch is all I need to bring it all together? Have done the googling but most setup tutorials etc are aimed at a particular model of NAS etc and have yet to find a good generic article covering the basics. And I presume the network cables to plug everything in will all be straight network cables (ie not crossover). Cheers again. |
Tukapa (62) | ||
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