Wireless Networking - all components, including printer?

[dfran]

Hello.
Please bear with me as I am new to the whole wireless thing.
I have a Linksys wireless router connected to my Dell desktop computer
and cable modem.
I have my laptop from my office that connects wirelessly to network -
no problem.
Issue is - my desktop has to be ON and booted up in order for me to
access my printer from the laptop. For me, I can deal this. So, I have
figured out some of the basics to wireless networking.

Current issue:
My in-laws own NO COMPUTER equipment at all and are looking to start
up. He wants a laptop for business, she wants a laptop for e-mail,
shopping, printing photos from digital camera, etc.

They want the following functionality (for the moment, forget about the
internet access):
2 laptops, wireless network (this part I think I can handle), one
printer to be shared over the wireless, but functional from either
laptop regardless of if the other laptop is on or not or even at
home(part I need help with). Sharing of files is NOT necessary.

They are looking at a Canon MP830 as the printer they want to use.

How do I connect the printer to the router (what is the difference
between a router and an access point?) so that either laptop can print
to it without the other laptop being required to be logged into the
network??

Any suggestions on routers that would help simplify this ?

Thanks
dfran

 

[Malke]

Hello.
Please bear with me as I am new to the whole wireless thing.
I have a Linksys wireless router connected to my Dell desktop computer
and cable modem.
I have my laptop from my office that connects wirelessly to network -
no problem.
Issue is - my desktop has to be ON and booted up in order for me to
access my printer from the laptop. For me, I can deal this. So, I have
figured out some of the basics to wireless networking.

Current issue:
My in-laws own NO COMPUTER equipment at all and are looking to start
up. He wants a laptop for business, she wants a laptop for e-mail,
shopping, printing photos from digital camera, etc.

They want the following functionality (for the moment, forget about
the internet access):
2 laptops, wireless network (this part I think I can handle), one
printer to be shared over the wireless, but functional from either
laptop regardless of if the other laptop is on or not or even at
home(part I need help with). Sharing of files is NOT necessary.

They are looking at a Canon MP830 as the printer they want to use.

How do I connect the printer to the router (what is the difference
between a router and an access point?) so that either laptop can print
to it without the other laptop being required to be logged into the
network??

It is a very good idea to have network printers as opposed to local
printers. With network-capable printers coming down in price so much,
there is really no reason not to have one. Your in-laws should consider
what type of printing they will do. If they are going to use the
printer for business, a laser printer is preferable. I have a Dell
1700N (older model) which is excellent for a small business. The new
ones will be around $250. The HP equivalent is a bit more money but
still extremely affordable. If the printer is going to get heavy use, I
would choose an HP over the Dell even if it is a bit more money.

If color printing is desired, they need to think about what sort of
color printing - photo or will a color laser printer do? I just bought
an HP Deskjet 6940 for around $150 that connects via ethernet and I'm
very pleased with it.

I'm not familiar with the Canon, but I would definitely look around for
network printers. In general with a network printer (ethernet or
wireless), you run the install program on one machine and get your
printer set up with an IP address (assign a static IP) and then run the
install program with the drivers on all client machines. Each printer
will have directions to follow.

Malke

 

[over]

A couple of options below:

1) Look for a wireless router that has a built-in print server - there are
a number of manufacturers/models of these. For a newer printer, you
probably want one that connects via USB to the printer instead of via a
parallel port.
You can probably get one device that will do everything you need -
router+access point+firewall+print server

2) Get a printer with built-in network sharing - there are lots of these
now. Use a wireless router that also has one or more wired ports, and plug
the printer into one of those.

 

[dfran]

Thanks for the input.
The Canon MP830 is an all-in-one -- scanner-fax-copier-printer. Do you
know of any Network all-in-ones?

They want to print Digital photos from their camera as well as the
occasional business letter.
The printing would be mostly from the personal side...and scanning
older family documents for archiving purposes. They also split their
time between the northeast and Florida, so the all-in-one is only one
component they would need to bring with them and know how to hook up
when we are not close by to help....remember -- they have never before
had any computer equipment or experience.

 

[Malke]

Thanks for the input.
The Canon MP830 is an all-in-one -- scanner-fax-copier-printer. Do you
know of any Network all-in-ones?

They want to print Digital photos from their camera as well as the
occasional business letter.
The printing would be mostly from the personal side...and scanning
older family documents for archiving purposes. They also split their
time between the northeast and Florida, so the all-in-one is only one
component they would need to bring with them and know how to hook up
when we are not close by to help....remember -- they have never before
had any computer equipment or experience.

Some of my clients have networkable (ethernet or wireless) HP
all-in-ones. They seem to work very well. You'll have to do some
research. I don't buy Canons because they don't support the operating
system on many of my machines (Linux) so I can't comment on any of
their printers.

Malke