How to make a non wirless into a wireless?

[OM2]

I can get a router that gives me a print server

The thing is, I assume that I HAVE to then setup a home network?

I've got no reason or requiremen to setup a network

Is there an alternative?

All the print servers I see are actually router modems - I'm not sure how I would use in addition to my existing router given by my ISP
Or are there other types of print servers?

Any ideas?

Thanks


Omar

 

[The Hat]

Why not just run a Cat 5 cable to your printer and save on all that thinking..

 

[OM2]

@thehat: i want to get wireless
that's the whole point

i got an mp4500 at a great price and have been astonished at how fast it is and how much better print quality it has compared to my mp640 and mx870

so... if i could make the mp4500 wireless, that would be awesome

 

[stratman]

I can get a router that gives me a print server

The thing is, I assume that I HAVE to then setup a home network?

I've got no reason or requiremen to setup a network

Yes, if you want a wireless printer then you need to have that printer setup for network functioning. Every computer that needs to access the printer wirelessly must be setup to access the wireless network. The printer will also need to be installed on every computer that wants to access it as well. So, yes, you need / re required to have a "home network".

Is there an alternative?

There are dedicated print servers such as from Canon, routers with built in universal print servers, and routers without built in print servers that may or may not work at all. Even with a print server, certain printer functions may or may not work. Before you ask which functions may not work - google your particular printer/printer server combo or you'll know after you set things up.

All the print servers I see are actually router modems - I'm not sure how I would use in addition to my existing router given by my ISP

It is a bad idea to use two wireless networks in the same space as they will impact performance of each other when both are in use at the same time. It is better to use one wireless network to do both networking and printing functions if possible. You can use more than one wireless router at the same time, set to the same network settings, if you need to extend distance - read about repeaters and bridge repeaters.

The best place to get your answers is at http://www.smallnetbuilder.com both in their articles and their forum.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

It is a bad idea to use two wireless networks in the same space as they will impact performance of each other when both are in use at the same time.

Huh? Just use different channels.

 

[stratman]

It is a bad idea to use two wireless networks in the same space as they will impact performance of each other when both are in use at the same time.

Huh? Just use different channels.

With regards to 2.4 Ghz signal -- If you live somewhere where there are few if any wireless signals, specifically ones not trafficked much, or everyone else is using other non-overlapping channels than the one you want to use - then your suggestion is OK. You could also use 5 Ghz signal -- short distance effectiveness means less likely interference from neighbor's signal but also may mean poor radius coverage within your own home depending on distances and obstacles to signal. If all you want from your wireless network is printer capability than delays in transmission of data will be less a factor in user satisfaction than if you want to use your network for other functions.

IIRC, OM2 lives in London, England, likely have wifi neighbors, and therefore may have channel overlap in the 2.4 Ghz band regardless of channel he selects. Adding a second router using another channel on 2.4 Ghz may not only complicate his performance but that of his neighbors -- not nice when other solutions are available to him.

On the other hand, if OM2 wanted to dedicate one router for 2.4 Ghz transmission and the other router to 5 Ghz transmission, or split SSID's on a dual band router to do the same function, then he might have his cake and eat it too.

Not to make things more complicated -- if OM2 wanted to avoid decreasing bandwidth by 50% by using a repeater/bridge setup, then using a Powerline HomePlug product or MoCA may be useful depending on his setup and goals (not to mention his home wiring and if there are electrical devices plugged into his electrical outlets that cause substantial interference to signal).

Again, smallnetbuilder.com is a great place for his questions on networking solutions.

 

[stratman]

For those interested in seeing what non-hidden broadcasted SSID's wifi signals are operating in your environment then try the free app "inSSIDer".

To test throughputs on different channels and locations then try something like iperf/jperf or LAN Speed Test.

 

[Emulator]

Hi Stratman

I haven't seen your posts lately, good to see you are around.

I had a look at smallnetbuilder and it looks a bit daunting, where do you start?

Are the 2.4G channels on specific frequencies within the band or are they digitally coded channels using any space they can find within the band?

Regards Ian

 

[bobjoek]

Omar,

A potential solution to your question is a wireless print server. Netgear (and possibly other manufacturers) does offer such a device. You place the wireless print server next to your printer and connect the printer via USB. Your computer communicates to the printer through your wifi network. I have an Epson printer hooked up this way and it works fine. One caveat is that bi-directional communication is not possible. This means that with the Epson printers, I cannot see ink monitoring on my computer. Probably the same situation with your Canon printer.

Bob

 

[websnail]

A potential solution to your question is a wireless print server. Netgear (and possibly other manufacturers) does offer such a device. You place the wireless print server next to your printer and connect the printer via USB. Your computer communicates to the printer through your wifi network. I have an Epson printer hooked up this way and it works fine. One caveat is that bi-directional communication is not possible. This means that with the Epson printers, I cannot see ink monitoring on my computer. Probably the same situation with your Canon printer.

Might find that doesn't work as Canon kit is notoriously tricky...

Things like USB-hubs or Canon specific wireless printservers like Silex or Pricomm kit worth considering though... Expensive though sadly.