Printer Networking 101
span style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";”>Setting up a business can be quite expensive. You would need to rent the space, purchase the equipment, register and pay the needed licenses and hire the employees. As such, some business owners have begun to look for other ways to cut down costs. One way is to connect a workgroup printer to multiple computers in the form of a network.
What is a printer network?
A printer network is created by connecting all the computers used in the business to one particular inkjet or laser printer through the use of a server, usually a dedicated computer. Usually, this is done by a computer networking company who may use a series of routers and hubs, depending on the number of computers to be connected to a printer. Business owners would often seek the assistance of a computer network technician to set up the entire network system that the business would use to make sure that you can prevent any errors in establishing the network.
Common Ways to Network a Printer
Computers can be networked to a printer through two ways:
LAN Connection. LAN stands for Local Area Network. As the name implies, it allows computers within a small area to be connected with each other. There are two kinds of LAN connections that are normally used. The most common one used in business establishments is the peer-to-peer network. This kind of LAN connection allows computers within the business to share information and resources among all workstations. LAN networks are commonly created through installing Ethernet cables and network hubs and routers.
Wireless Connection. Wireless connection is created and performed in the same manner as that of a LAN connection. The only difference that this does not use Ethernet cables to connect the computer workstations with each other. Instead, information and resources is sent from one workstation to another workstation or a printer through the use of radio signals.
Benefits of Creating a Printer Network
Setting up a printer network to connect multiple workstations has a number of benefits:
Costs. Instead of purchasing multiple printers to meet the needs of each of the workstation in the company, computer networks would allow the business to minimize the cost.
Convenient Retrieval of Information. Employees no longer need to share USB flash drives, CDs or floppy disks to transfer information from one computer to another. Instead, they would be able to store the information by simply clicking on the name of the workstation in the list of computers attached to the network for easy retrieval.
Backup of Information. It is expected that every once in a while a computer workstation would crash and would need repair. Because all information can be easily retrieved through the network, the employee would be able to use a free workstation and pick up where he or she left off, minimizing downtime.
Can all printers be networked?
Most of the models of printers available in computer stores have the capability of being networked to multiple workstations. If you are not sure whether your existing printer can be networked, you can consult the printer manufacturerâs website or the printer manual for the printerâs features and capabilities.
John C. Arkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/printer-networking-101-692128.html
February 24th, 2010 at 8:18 am
Printer networking…………..?
I’ve recently recieved a computer for the front of my house but the only wired one, and only one with a printer is in the back.
I’ve already been walked through networking the computers to share files and access the internet wirelessly.
that is done.
but The back computer is a tad bit old and I wasn’t able to install microsoft works 2005, on the back but only in the front.
So the items made from it won’t print in the back.
plus I just plain hate walking back there, (55 ft.) lol!!!
I would like a thorough description of how I would be able to click print upfront and print in the back automattically.
for reference it’s an hp officejet 4215 all-in-one printer.
I would like this to be very descriptive because I’m very good with computers but not experienced at all in networking if you want to chat with me on yahoo messenger or e-mail me lengthened answers, send or i.m. it to the following addresses……
Yahoo Messenger: patrickt1994@yahoo.com
reccomended e-mail: patrickt1994@gmail.com
February 24th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I’m guessing the computer in the back isn’t the same OS as the front computer? You don’t say why you couldn’t install works 2005… I’m also assuming that you already have file sharing working between the two.
In any case, once the printer is installed on the back computer, you need to also load the drivers for the front computer’s OS. Just make a directory somewhere and copy the drivers into there.
Then go to the printers folder on the old computer and mark the printer as "shared". Give it a shared name and then also click the Additional Drivers button. Make sure the OS for the front computer is selected.
Leave the back computer on and then go to the front computer. Open your printers folder and click on Add a new Printer. Select the Network Printer option and press Next. You can now enter the printer name as \\name_of_back_computer\printername or use the first option to browse for the printer. (Again, this assumes you can browse on the back computer.)
You should see the back computer. Double-click it to see its shared printers. Then select the printer. Follow the prompts the rest of the way through.
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