Multiple wireless connections to a printer?

My friend wants to connect all the computers in her house wirelessly to the only printer (a Lexmark one) in the house so they can print to the printer from any computer in the house.

She initially suggested connecting the printer to a computer, then making wireless connections to that computer to print. Isn't it better to connect a wireless receiver to that printer?

Do you have an suggestions? What would be the simplest and most cost effective way?

 

If the printer is connected to a computer with wireless, doesn't the computer have to stay on all the time for the printer? If so, I guess a wireless receiver would be the better solution.

 

That's what I told her. That's why I suggested the wireless receiver thing. Her house is already wirelessly connected. Could I use her existing wireless modem and router? Is there any other software/firmware/tweak I have to do?

 

This belongs in the Network and Wireless forum.

But just attaching a wireless card to the printer isn't enough.
The printer literally needs a cpu and firmware to decode TCP/IP packets from other computers.

The cheapest option is to attach the printer to a computer and print through a network share. That computer has to be on to print though.

The more expensive option is to buy a print server. It looks like a router, except it's a miniature computer that decodes TCP/IP into a signal your printer understands.

 

How much would a print server cost? I don't think it's cheap

 

Umm, I think it's like $50 to 70.

Yeah, it's gonna cost as much as a router

 

My Asus router has two USB ports for sharing a printer and a hard drive. Cost me $90.

 

or an even more expensive route.

Buy a new router.

 

Connect the printer to the router would be the easiest because no computer has to be on all the time.

We have a parallel port to ethernet and then to the router.

 

Most routers don't support print server functions.

 

I'll have to check her router, then. But if the router supports it, then it'll be a simple connection method that Clutch mentioned?

What about on the software side? I'll have to go into the router to configure the connection?

 

If you have a spare computer - you can also run your own website - that's what I do.

If you want to use a computer you need to set up a home network on that computer.

A netbook would be enough - you can only send the actual "pinter info" via Wi-Fi - if I print a docx document - I only send what the printer actually prints - its processed locally.

 

It's gonna be a small screen or tab. You gotta punch in simple stuff like the name of the printer, etc etc etc. It will show up as a printer attached to a computer.

 

If your printer has a parallel port you just buy this for like $20.

I myself never used it though, not a big fan of D-link

 

Some printer can be upgraded to network printers. So check with the mfg of the printer and see it it's a option. If not you will need a print server to make it work if you do not share it off of 1 work station.

Word for thought,

Dumping to a printer consumes a lot of band width over a wireless connection. You can use most any old pc to work as a print server. Wired is a lot better option.

 

I know wired is a better option, but I'm just trying to solve it according to her specifications. I'll check with her today, and I'll come back for part 2 of our strategy meeting.