Will a Print Server accomplish what I'm trying to do?

[Honnold]

HERE'S THE SET-UP IN MY HOUSE:

Location 1: Verizon DSL phone line -> Westell Modem -> Linksys Wireless-B Router.

Location 2: Dell Computer -> Wireless Adapter.

Location 3: IBM Thinkpad. (Note: I do NOT want to connect Thinkpad to internet.)

HERE'S WHAT I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH: I want to purchase a new printer. I am looking at the Samsung ML-2250. It has a USB 2.0 and a parallel port. I want to connect the Printer to the Thinkpad (via parallel port/hardwired) and to the Dell (via USB port/wireless). I was told that this could be accomplished with a Print Server connected to the Printer's USB port. I purchased a Linksys Wireless-G Print Server for this purpose.

SO THE NEW SET-UP WOULD BE:

Location 1: The Same... DSL line-> Modem -> Wireless-B Router.

Location 2: The Same... Dell Computer -> Wireless Adapter.

Location 3: IBM ThinkPad -> Parallel Port hardwired -> Samsung ML-2250 Printer -> USB 2.0 port hardwired -> Linksys Wireless-G Print Server.

HERE'S MY SIMPLE BUT RATHER CLUELESS QUESTION AND EXCUSE MY IGNORANCE WHILE YOU'RE AT IT:

With this new set-up, will I be able to print from both locations 2 (wireless) & 3 (hardwired) to the Samsung printer? It doesn't matter so much if the print jobs can't be done simultaneously just so long as the Dell and Thinkpad can both print.

Thanks for any advice.

[jdhurst]

It is simpler (in my opinion) to connect the print server to the router. There is no particular reason I can see not to connect your ThinkPad to the router. It is relatively secure behind the built-in firewall on the router.
... JD Hurst

[Honnold]

I'm not sure if I described the set-up, clearly enough, or more likely I just don't understand.

In my proposed set-up, the Samsung printer in Location 3 is hard-wired via parallel port to my ThinkPad which is located right next to it. At the same time, the Linksys Print Server would also be hard-wired to the Samsung printer's USB port. That way, my Dell Computer which is wirelessly connected to internet in Location 2 can communicate with Samsung Printer in Location 3 via the wireless Print Server.

Location 3: IBM ThinkPad <- Parallel Port hardwired <- Samsung ML-2250 Printer -> USB 2.0 port hardwired -> Linksys Wireless-G Print Server.

If I connect the Print Server to the wireless router in Location 1, then how does the Dell Computer in Location 2 communicate with the Samsung Printer in Location 3 (the Samsung printer will be hardwired to a Thinkpad that DOES NOT have access to internet -- I want to keep it that way).

I think in my research after-the-fact, I've come across printers w/ a built-in wireless access feature, but I already purchased a Linksys Print Server for this purpose. Is there a difference between what the Print Server accomplishes and what a printer w/ wireless access feature accomplishes? I might even be wrong about having found printers with wireless access feature, because I'm getting it confused w/ "networking capabilities." I've looked at so many printers, now, my heads starting to spin!!!

Maybe, I shouldn't have gotten a Print Server?

Thanks for the reply and any further clarification you can provide.

[desdinova]

Buy a network-aware printer. I like HPs.

Then you can just plug it into a switch and you're good to go.

[JHaislet]

Get the Samsung ML-2551N or ML-2552W. I've got one of each at different locations and they're outstanding. Both came with internal ethernet cards, so they just needed to be cat5'd into the switch. The 2552W also has a wireless 802.11b wireless card, but since I run a "g" network, for both security & speed, I don't use the wireless feature of the 2552W.

The 2551N has three connection options: USB 2.0, LPT, 10/100 Ethernet. The 2552W has all three, including 802.11b.

[Honnold]

I'm circling the Samsung ML-2252W very closely, now. Is there that much of a drop off from the 2552W? Because I'm already well over my budget.

Will it work with the set-up I outlined? (a) IBM Laptop (no: internet access) permanently hard-wired via Parallel cable to printer and (b) Dell Desktop (yes: internet access) accessing printer via wireless 802.11b?

Also, does the printer's internal wireless communicate directly with Dell's wireless adapter? That would be good because they're in closer proximity than to the modem/router.

Is the printer able to process both jobs when it's being accessed via parallel port and wireless simulaneously? I don't want to have to disconnect the parallel cable every time I'm printing from the wireless Dell Desktop, for example.

Also, anyone have any thoughts about the following vendors: PC SuperDeals, California Computer Center, and Newegg which are selling the ML-2252W at the lowest prices in ascending order?

Thanks so much for the replies. Sorry for all these questions and follow ups. This neophyte is very grateful.

[GomJabbar]

Will it work with the set-up I outlined? (a) IBM Laptop (no: internet access) permanently hard-wired via Parallel cable to printer and (b) Dell Desktop (yes: internet access) accessing printer via wireless 802.11b?

Unless you run across someone with the same printer and basic setup, I doubt if you will get a knowledgeable answer to your question. You should probably contact Samsung technical support directly, or download and read the manual for the printer.

I know when I connected a HP Deskjet 500 (a dinosaur I know) to two different computers simultaneously via serial and parallel ports, the serial port on the printer would only work with the parallel cable disconnected. The parallel port would work whether the serial cable was connected or not.

[JHaislet]

I still don't understand why your making this setup so complicated. Just plug the printer directly into a switch so all the networked computers can access it; OR connect the printer directly to the desktop and share it via MS File & Printer Sharing.

[Honnold]

I skimmed the manual. It wasn't specific enough to my set-up to help. And I called Samsung's tech support this morning. Samsung's phone tree doesn't even distinguish between "sales," "customer service," and "technical support" -- they're all on the same branch. Their tech guy didn't sound 100% confident, but he felt that a Samsung ML-2252W/network-aware printer would not be able to handle the parallel (or USB 2.0, for that matter) and wireless together -- it would default to one or the other. He also mentioned a "switch" and tried to explain the concept to me, but I couldn't get it. What the effin' heck is a "switch"?

I brought this up on another board and someone wrote that it is ludicrous that people are telling me such a simple thing can't be done. Who knows? I think I might try Samsung one more time, tomorrow, but gee, you think their own tech support should have a definitive opinion on the first go?

As far as plugging the printer into a "switch," the printer is going to be located at a desk in the middle of the room with the Thinkpad. I still don't know what a mothereffin', gosh darn "switch" is, but I assume this switch would have to connect to a phone jack or something associated with the network. That isn't feasible given the way the room is laid out. As far as the other suggestion, if I connect it to the desktop directly how would it communicate with the Thinkpad which is in another room and not connected to the internet/network/or anything?

[JHaislet]

Well there's two types of switches and both would work for your setup. You could use an "A-B" Parrallel Port switch, which is a box that allows you to hook up two computers to one Parrallel printer port, and you select (via the box) which comptuer is connected to the printer (A or B) via a flip of the switch.

The switch I was talking about in my previous post is a Network switch. Some folks call them "hubs or switches". Anyways, its an ETHERNET Switch, you know, Cat 5, 10/100BaseT, the stuff you hooked your desktop up to the router with. Heck, most routers have at least a 4port ethernet switch built-in.

Why not just enable the wireless on your thinkpad and be done with it? I'm confused as to how a modern computer can be of much use without a connection to the 'net.

BTW, just because the Thinkpad is hooked up to your internal network doesn't mean its hooked up to the net. You can disable internet access to the laptop thru a number of ways, including the router & the laptop itself thru the OS.

[Honnold]

I see the logic of your last two points, completely. Especially the distinction between an internal network and actually fully engaging the internet and whatnot (which I already had an inkling of, but do not fully understand). I know it doesn't make much sense to have a Thinkpad and not use it for internet, too.

The more I think about this and my particular printer usage needs which are really minor overall and the complications of not wanting the Thinkpad on the net and the money/set-up time I'll save --- I'm realizing I should just go with the non-networked printer.

[Honnold]

Unbelievable. I spoke to a 2nd tech at Samsung who agreed w/ the first.

But why the heck would a wireless printer have all those other ports if they couldn't be used? Makes no sense, right?

So, I spoke to a 3rd Samsung tech who seemed more knowledgeable, confident, coherent, and knew exactly what I was talking about.

Upshot: I'm back to the 2252W. If it doesn't work, I'm going back to chalk tablets and cave paintings.

[jdhurst]

I think the biggest problem you are having is connecting your ThinkPad to a router. It is safe behind a router, can be updated (which it needs to be for security) and otherwise not be used for Internet. Yet connecting it to the router would solve all your problem. To each, their own. ... JD Hurst

[Kyocera]

Yes that will work, just load the driver in both machines and you should (if I read your post correctly) be printing. Check the SSID of the router and plug into the PS. You probably will need to use infrastructure mode. Normally the manual and CD that comes with all the linksys stuff is enough to get going.