Networking a printer

[martin_pentreath]

Here's a fairly basic question about networking a printer. My house
has plenty of ethernet sockets, and I have a Netgear DG834G router in
the loft. I don't have a home network set up - I just use the router
so that a couple of computers can connect to the internet (either
wirelessly or through ethernet sockets). If I buy a Lexmark E120N
printer, which is networkable, could I just plug it into an ethernet
socket and get it to work with my laptop (or any other computer
connected to the router) or do I need extra hardware?

 

[martin_pentreath]

Here's a fairly basic question about networking a printer. My house
has plenty of ethernet sockets, and I have a Netgear DG834G router in
the loft. I don't have a home network set up - I just use the router
so that a couple of computers can connect to the internet (either
wirelessly or through ethernet sockets). If I buy a Lexmark E120N
printer, which is networkable, could I just plug it into an ethernet
socket and get it to work with my laptop (or any other computer
connected to the router) or do I need extra hardware?

PS I'm using Windows XP SP2.

 

[Jworman]

Here's a fairly basic question about networking a printer. My house
has plenty of ethernet sockets, and I have a Netgear DG834G router in
the loft. I don't have a home network set up - I just use the router
so that a couple of computers can connect to the internet (either
wirelessly or through ethernet sockets). If I buy a Lexmark E120N
printer, which is networkable, could I just plug it into an ethernet
socket and get it to work with my laptop (or any other computer
connected to the router) or do I need extra hardware?

I don't think you'll have any problems. My setup is a little different.
I have a dlink DP-300U print server (with 3 printers hooked to it)
hooked to my router. All my machines (about 12) can get to any of the
printers. The one difference I have is that all the machines are
networked. You may have to do that.

John

 

[martin_pentreath]

I don't think you'll have any problems. My setup is a little different.
I have a dlink DP-300U print server (with 3 printers hooked to it)
hooked to my router. All my machines (about 12) can get to any of the
printers. The one difference I have is that all the machines are
networked. You may have to do that.

John

Thanks for the advice John. I was concerned that I might need a print
server, or some other bit of kit between the router and the printer.
So the I would just plug the printer into one of the ethernet sockets
on the router and the computers should be able to find it? I've just
been looking at the user manual for the printer on the Lexmark
website, but it's a bit of a disgrace so far as networking is
concerned - apart from mentioning that the printer has an ethernet
socket it doesn't really acknowledge the concept of networking at all.

 

[Tony Hwang]

Thanks for the advice John. I was concerned that I might need a print
server, or some other bit of kit between the router and the printer.
So the I would just plug the printer into one of the ethernet sockets
on the router and the computers should be able to find it? I've just
been looking at the user manual for the printer on the Lexmark
website, but it's a bit of a disgrace so far as networking is
concerned - apart from mentioning that the printer has an ethernet
socket it doesn't really acknowledge the concept of networking at all.

Hi,
For the purpose of printing only on network, it is pretty easy for most
printers if printer server is used. My case was to include scanning on
network. Then choice of printers narrowed down quite a bit. I can
print/scan on housewide network wirelessly.

 

[Tony]

Thanks for the advice John. I was concerned that I might need a print
server, or some other bit of kit between the router and the printer.
So the I would just plug the printer into one of the ethernet sockets
on the router and the computers should be able to find it? I've just
been looking at the user manual for the printer on the Lexmark
website, but it's a bit of a disgrace so far as networking is
concerned - apart from mentioning that the printer has an ethernet
socket it doesn't really acknowledge the concept of networking at all.

You shouldn't need any more kit (except an ethernet cable if not included with
the printer and one to connect the router to the distribution point in your
attic) but you will have to network the PC's using your existing router. Use
the networking wizard in Win XP, it is pretty simple to follow and make sure
you allow print sharing across the network..
If the printer has a scanner you will need to check that it can be networked,
not all can but the printing capability will be OK.
Once you have the network set up, there should be one of two ways to network
the printer.
1. The printer allows the setting of ip address and other parameters from its
front panel and then you install the driver and specify the address there or
2. You install the driver and it will search across the network for the printer
and assign an ip address.
These things are usually easier to set up than they appear but look at the
resources at http://www.coribright.com/windows/ and at
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/NetPrinterAllUsers.htm
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Gary Tait]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in @c18g2000prb.googlegroups.com:

My house
has plenty of ethernet sockets, and I have a Netgear DG834G router in
the loft. I don't have a home network set up - I just use the router
so that a couple of computers can connect to the internet (either
wirelessly or through ethernet sockets).

You do have a home network set up.

 

[Warren Block]

Here's a fairly basic question about networking a printer. My house
has plenty of ethernet sockets, and I have a Netgear DG834G router in
the loft. I don't have a home network set up - I just use the router
so that a couple of computers can connect to the internet (either
wirelessly or through ethernet sockets).

That *is* a network. You may mean you don't have Windows file sharing
set up, which just means your network is more secure than most.

If I buy a Lexmark E120N printer, which is networkable, could I just
plug it into an ethernet socket and get it to work with my laptop (or
any other computer connected to the router) or do I need extra
hardware?

You should not need extra hardware. I rarely disagree with Tony, but
you don't need Windows print sharing with a network printer.

PS: Friends don't let friends buy Lexmark.
PPS: Check your local Craigslist and classifieds for used
network-capable LaserJets. You may be able to find
something much better for less than the $150 of the Lexmark.

 

[Gary Tait]

PS: Friends don't let friends buy Lexmark.

FWIW, IMO Lexmark lasers aren't bad, it is just their inkjets that are to
be avoided.

 

[Tony]

That *is* a network. You may mean you don't have Windows file sharing
set up, which just means your network is more secure than most.


You should not need extra hardware. I rarely disagree with Tony, but
you don't need Windows print sharing with a network printer.

PS: Friends don't let friends buy Lexmark.
PPS: Check your local Craigslist and classifieds for used
network-capable LaserJets. You may be able to find
something much better for less than the $150 of the Lexmark.

Warren
Thank you for picking up the error, you are of course correct that printer
sharing is not required (I must have been tired!).
I have to say that I agree with Gary, Lexmark lasers are generally fine apart
from some of the earlier small lasers. The larger ones give very little trouble.
Lexmark inkjets however are an entirely different story.
Tony

 

[Warren Block]

I have to say that I agree with Gary, Lexmark lasers are generally fine apart
from some of the earlier small lasers. The larger ones give very little trouble.
Lexmark inkjets however are an entirely different story.

Lexmark's "haha, sucker" printers have ruined their credibility (with
me, at least) for their serious printers.

I accept that they make good quality business lasers, but I won't buy or
recommend them.

[Wasn't Lexmark the innovator that invented chipped cartridges?]

 

[Rev. G.G. Willikers]

Warren
Thank you for picking up the error, you are of course correct that printer
sharing is not required (I must have been tired!).
I have to say that I agree with Gary, Lexmark lasers are generally fine apart
from some of the earlier small lasers. The larger ones give very little trouble.
Lexmark inkjets however are an entirely different story.
Tony

Lexmark lasers are manufactured by a separate company. IBM lasers are
rebranded Lexmark's.

I think their quality is OK. The E120's biggest fault is that the front
cover hinges break easily.

--

Rev. G.G. Willikers

The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules or
took a few liberties with our female party guests. We did.

But you can't hold a whole fraternity responsible for
the behavior of a few sick, perverted individuals.

If you do, shouldn't we blame the whole fraternity system?

And if the whole fraternity system is guilty,then isn't this
an indictment of our educational institutions in general?

I put it to you, Greg.

Isn't this an indictment of our entire American society?

Well you can do what you want to us, but we won't sit here
and listen to you badmouth the United States of America!

 

[martin_pentreath]

Many thanks to all for the advice - very helpful. Clearly I had a
misunderstanding about home networks.

FWIW the Lexmark E120N got pretty good reviews in the British press as
a bottom end laser printer, eg
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/86254/lexmark-e120n.html