Re: Networking a printer

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MYA wrote:
I am using printers attached to a PC and shared. The problem is as you might have read that I cannot access them for my 192 subnet. Any thoughts? Yes the computers and printers are all turned on. Thank you for working on this with me.


The simplest, and probably the most reliable, way to do this would be to attach the printer(s) to a print server device for around $50 to $80. This will remove the problem with trying to get the computers on the different subnets talking to each other reliably.
The second option is to change the mask on the computers from 255.255.255.0 to something like 255.255.0.0 or even 0.0.0.0 to see if this fixes the problem. You might also want to make sure that the route table includes a path from each subnet to the other subnet.


"Michael W. Ryder" wrote:

MYA wrote:
Thanks for the details everyone. Kurosh you say that planning is required if I want to create a new subnet. But if I create a subnet which is what I have, the printing problem will not be resolved. Do you have a different point of view from what others have already said?

Are you using network printers or printers attached to a PC and then shared? In my network I have computers from three different subnets printing to printers on their subnet and the others. All of my printers either have a network connection or are attached to a print server device so that they do not depend on a PC to be on.


"Kurosh" wrote:

"MYA" wrote:

What do I have to do to convert one router into a switch?
Hi,

The best way is to get a switch, not convert a router into one. The Internet would connect to the router, the router would connect to the switch, and all the other computers would also connect to the switch. If physical location / cabling is a problem, get multiple switches, as needed. The only reason for more than one router is if you need to seperate the subnets for some reason, but then this requires careful planning and routing set up.

However, if you really want to use the second router as a switch, you have a couple of options:

1. Turn off NAT on Router B (if this is available). Turn off DHCP on Router B. Make sure all computers are either set to use DHCP, or have a 192.x.x.x address (unique from each other).

2. Connect Router A to Router B via the LAN ports (cross-over cable may be needed). Turn off DHCP on Router B. Make sure all computers are either set to use DHCP, or have a 192.x.x.x address. (unique from each other)

Best Wishes,
Kurosh

.

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