networking two computers to one printer??

[tbowen]

So, here's the deal:

Me and my roomate are thinking of getting an older/used black & white laser printer to use just for work and school, since we have to print so many papers and reports. We want to keep the printer downstairs at my computer and run a cable from his computer, upstairs, and mine, right beside the printer to it. So, my question is, what kind of router/device do we need to route two computers to the same printer? And what kind of price are we looking at with router and cables? Thanks guys.

-thomas

[mjc]

Any printers in mind...some are more network 'ready' than others and that will have an impact on what you need.

There are basically two ways of doing it...

1. Install the printer as a local printer on your computer and then enable print sharing, through the network to the other machine.

2. Install the printer on a print server, as a separate from each computer network device.

Each of those methods has different requirements.

Also if there is any sort of existing network...such as sharing an internet connectio.

[Erik]

If you are looking at getting an older used printer and want to network it look for an HP that has built in networking. I think the 5P was available with a built in internal networking driver. These are great B&W text printers, and can take a lot of use. USed you should be able to find one pretty cheap.

If not, why bother going used? The lower end B&W lasers start around $100 or so. I would just get a new one and network it using either a print server, or using the closer PC as a server. Using a PC as a server has some disadvantages. You need to enable file and printer sharing, a potential security risk. How much do you trust the person, and can you be certain that neither PC has any virus or spyware? Also more practically the PC that is physically connected to the printer would always need to be on in order to print.

As for what is needed, well if you have an existing network than not much really. Just enable printer sharing, or connect the printer to the network via CAT 5 cable.

Another option would be a parallel port switch, depending on how far apart they are. Probably not a viable option if you are going between floors though.

[classicsoftware]

All of this depends on how you presently get on line. Until you explain that, any advice is moot as your NIC may already be engaged.

[tbowen]

OK, well currently this is how I get online:

We have Roadrunner Cable coming into the house. It come directly into a router, or what-have-you and then to a spliter. Which then one goes to my tower and one goes upstairs to my roomate's computer. I.E., we don't have to pay for two connections. Does that answer your question? Thanks for the help!

-thomas

[mjc]

[QUOTE=tbowen]We have Roadrunner Cable coming into the house. It come directly into a router, or what-have-you and then to a spliter. Which then one goes to my tower and one goes upstairs to my roomate's computer.[QUOTE]

Need a little bit more specific details on the current setup, but it looks like the network card in you machine is currently being used and there is a router in the system.

So an HP network enabled printer or one of the new lower end ones and a print server would probably be fairly easy to drop into the existing network.

[PrntRhd]

I agree with mjc,
TCP/IP printing where the printer has a NIC works great. Each PC gets its own locally added driver that points to the chosen (static address works best) TCP/IP address, either PC can access the printer without requiring the other PC to be involved.