Network ports

cerebus

If you haven't got a rj45 port on the printer then no you can't network it using cables

Does the printer have wireless?

What's the model no?

rmg1

This is the printer I have - Brother HL-L3210CW Colour Laser Printer
The instructions do suggest I can get a cable to connect it to a network instead of a PC (which is how it's currently connected).

On another thread, I did ask for uses for a Raspberry Pi so I might use that as a print server.  Would that work instead?

gefnew

Brother website states usb/ wireless printer.
Brother HL-L3210CW Manuals & Guides | Brother UK

droopsnoot

You could get a printer server if the wi-fi connection isn't suitable - a network device that would plug into your switch, and have a USB output on the back to connect to your printer. They're available in all sorts of configurations - ethernet to USB, ethernet to Parallel or serial - and work in the same way that your printer would if it had a network port.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/WAVLINK-100Mbps-Ethernet-Network-Windows/dp/B07MDMDQZL/ref=sr_1_3?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sj4g60LJ1TzN09U6N0tArtWYXPLqPJ5p1Mj4mRs0grKN4TQGn6v3-BI2Oy2lHPKxWGEdnvT1aMSSx_zFStao4H-u54IcBFv0DJA_svhJqTr317MnLqebgLboDUWuQFflWz1vTcXFD0vfURyR604mPyz39mDg-d_9EIR1-dbG7XMFDxvtuOi0frTWBi-BS7_TJRWzupAFBMQvOv-rZeuUOXgBHq9aODe3jWdDzizlprnAlnnCU8jaAdfWlD3xsy1VV9ez7M4mKmlehMOFo1ojlOzD1ZkPRYLnWznZlqKms8s.DTEJumogCXATsoUnYq-LV8eF1smkvKUUvt4fKnGF3lg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Print+Servers&qid=1713430736&s=computers&sr=1-3&ts_id=430577031

droopsnoot

gefnew said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253281788448?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=momp6pghTvG&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=-Z2MLKoLTEi&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
 item number ebay uk supply.
should do what you want

I'm not sure it will. That listing says "It can not be used to plug in the USB device at the other end of the RJ45 network socket of the computer.", it appears to be an adapter for a specific device. It's not very clear.

cerebus

Do you have a rj45 port on the back of your printer , some of that model do and some don't 

rmg1

I'm not sure, I'll have a look later. I do remember having to buy the cable to connect it to my PC. I vaguely remember having the choice of usb or ethernet but could be wrong. I'll dig out the manual when I get home 

flaneurs_lobster

rmg1 said:

I'm not sure, I'll have a look later. I do remember having to buy the cable to connect it to my PC. I vaguely remember having the choice of usb or ethernet but could be wrong. I'll dig out the manual when I get home 

Manual won't help (it's linked to in a post above) because it's for several different models of printer, some with RJ45 ports and some without.

Just post pictures of the ports on the back of the printer.

chunter

If you want to 'share' the printer across the network (to other computers on the network), you can imply share the printer via the existing usb connection. Windows has this option in printer setting/properties. The downside is that the pc must be switched on for the printer to be able rint through the pc,
Mobility print - free from papercut (https://www.papercut.com/) - will let you print from a phone or tablet using the same print-through method. This software will work directly if the printer is wireless.

rmg1

Had a look on the back of the printer and it's only got USB-B.
Looks like I'll be going down the Raspberry Pi route to make it a network printer