Bridge me a wireless network plz
July 12, 2011 2:55 PM Subscribe
How can I connect my (network-ready, ethernet-only) printer to my wireless network when the router is all the way on the other side of the house?
The printer, a Brother HL5250-DN is network-ready, though it's old enough that it needs to be plugged in via ethernet. I've done this in the past without problems. In our new home, the router is at the front of the house and the printer will be at the back. My guess is that it might be possible to buy an additional cheap router, connect it to the existing wireless network, and then connect my printer to that, ie, what an Apple Airport Express does, but for cheaper. Again, the router doesn't need to have an onboard printer server, as it's built in to the printer itself.
Is this a thing? What are the keywords I should be looking for? Can any router do this? Have you done something similar yourself?
The printer, a Brother HL5250-DN is network-ready, though it's old enough that it needs to be plugged in via ethernet. I've done this in the past without problems. In our new home, the router is at the front of the house and the printer will be at the back. My guess is that it might be possible to buy an additional cheap router, connect it to the existing wireless network, and then connect my printer to that, ie, what an Apple Airport Express does, but for cheaper. Again, the router doesn't need to have an onboard printer server, as it's built in to the printer itself.
Is this a thing? What are the keywords I should be looking for? Can any router do this? Have you done something similar yourself?
If you don't want to use a second wireless router you can buy a wireless adapter, something like this http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Wireless-Gaming-Adapter-TEW-647GA/dp/B0024G48VA/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310508919&sr=1-6
posted by uleekunkel at 3:19 PM on July 12, 2011
posted by uleekunkel at 3:19 PM on July 12, 2011
Ubuquiti Networks Airwire is exactly what you're looking for.
posted by dirm at 4:07 PM on July 12, 2011
posted by dirm at 4:07 PM on July 12, 2011
I strongly recommend one of these. Been using them for years - a bonus is that you'll also be able to stream audio from your computer through them to a pair of speakers and/or can use them to extend the signal of many non-apple wireless networks. You can find them used on craigslist for 60 bucks give or take and the used ones work just fine. Extremely reliable.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 5:12 PM on July 12, 2011
posted by Poet_Lariat at 5:12 PM on July 12, 2011
Response by poster: Follow-up question: if one router is b/g/n and the other router is 802.11g only, does the entire network default to g?
posted by awenner at 8:55 PM on July 12, 2011
posted by awenner at 8:55 PM on July 12, 2011
Yes, it is a specification of the Wireless-N standard that if a G-only client joins a G/N mixed network, the speed of the entire wireless network drops to G-only.
Some routers have a function where you can have 2 different networks (one of which is only for N-clients, and the other is for those running G-clients). Otherwise, you should consider turning off the G-only router when you don't need it rather than leaving it turned on all the time.
posted by titantoppler at 8:07 AM on July 14, 2011
Some routers have a function where you can have 2 different networks (one of which is only for N-clients, and the other is for those running G-clients). Otherwise, you should consider turning off the G-only router when you don't need it rather than leaving it turned on all the time.
posted by titantoppler at 8:07 AM on July 14, 2011
Do you have a computer next to the printer? Is the computer generally on? Can you just hook up the printer to the computer using a usb cable and then share it out from the computer?
posted by I-baLL at 10:00 AM on July 14, 2011
posted by I-baLL at 10:00 AM on July 14, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
You want a network bridge. This can be accomplished by getting a second wireless router and through the setup.
The method I use is by using a second router with Tomato firmware or wddrt firmware as it is a pretty painless way of doing so. Plus you can up the broadcasting watts for a more improved wifi coverage within your house.
posted by handbanana at 3:07 PM on July 12, 2011