USB to Ethernet Adapter

DCodd

Hi, probably a dumb question but is it a USB to Ethernet adaptor I need to be able to connect my USB printer to my wireless router? and will this allow the printer to be shared wirelessly to 3 different laptops?

thanks

mr_fishbulb

Don't think that will work. I think what you need is a wireless USB print server, although they get mixed reviews - http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=wireless+usb+print+server

DCodd

I currently have the printer installed and plugged into our desktop and the desktop plugged into the router. I can print from the laptops through the network but the desktop has to be on (obviously).

Had heard wireless print servers were not that reliable so was wondering if I could "hard wire" the printer into the network via the router but didn't know if the printer would need a network card to work that way?

Thanks

isofa

Some printer manufacturers sell a USB dongle which will achieve this (such as some HP printers), others need a specific print server.

If your printer has an ethernet port (home printers don't normally) you can connect direct via ethernet cable to the printer.

prowla

I have a printer wired to my ADSL wireless modem/router, and it is accessible wirelessly from a laptop.

You can get wireless print servers (as noted above), and (again as noted above) some manufacturers do add-on wireless interfaces for particular models of their printers.

I think that some wireless printing (eg. large pictures) could be error-prone.

hc25036

I've used several print servers over the years - and wouldn't bother with a wireless one if your printer is close enough to your router to use a wired one.

Search Google for "print server". I use one of these... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-PS121-Mini-Print-Server/dp/B00022V2AI

davb

DCodd wrote: »

I currently have the printer installed and plugged into our desktop and the desktop plugged into the router. I can print from the laptops through the network but the desktop has to be on (obviously).

Yes you can, and it's the cheapest way

You will need to do a bit of work - Enable printer sharing on the desktop, and share it out. Add the printer (network) on the laptop's. If they all have the same OS, then the laptop's will download the drivers from the desktop - otherwise you will have to download the drivers for the laptop's (or use the printer CD).

mr_fishbulb

davb wrote: »

Yes you can, and it's the cheapest way

You will need to do a bit of work - Enable printer sharing on the desktop, and share it out. Add the printer (network) on the laptop's. If they all have the same OS, then the laptop's will download the drivers from the desktop - otherwise you will have to download the drivers for the laptop's (or use the printer CD).

Yeah. That's what he is currently doing

davb

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Yeah. That's what he is currently doing

Time for an eye test I think

DVardysShadow

DCodd wrote: »

Hi, probably a dumb question but is it a USB to Ethernet adaptor I need to be able to connect my USB printer to my wireless router? and will this allow the printer to be shared wirelessly to 3 different laptops?

thanks

You need the right bit of kit. USB comes in 2 flavours, namely Host and Peripheral. You cannot connect 2 computers via USB alone, because USB will not work Host to Host and PC USB adapters are always HostEnd


If you have a USBHostEnd to ethernet adaptor, this merely lets you do ethernet networking via a USB port. A USBPeripheralEnd to ethernet adapter is effectively a printserver.