Printing on a public wifi
November 13, 2006 12:27 PM Subscribe
I'm on a public network at a university (and they won't let me use a wireless router of my own) and I need a good (cheap) way to print from multiple pc's.
I'm currently on a public wireless network through my university and they won't allow private routers. However, my girlfriend and I often use our laptops and I'd like to be able to send a print job directly to the printer connected to the desktop (also on the network.)
Is there any way to do this? (And please be somewhat specific, I'm rather new to networking) Thanks
I'm currently on a public wireless network through my university and they won't allow private routers. However, my girlfriend and I often use our laptops and I'd like to be able to send a print job directly to the printer connected to the desktop (also on the network.)
Is there any way to do this? (And please be somewhat specific, I'm rather new to networking) Thanks
You can try a networked printer hub. Plug it into the network, plug the printer into it. I do this at home and at work with HP JetDirect printers, works fine. You'll need to set the printer up as a "TCP/IP" printer by adding a new standard TCP/IP port on your computer (printer hub should come with directions or you can search for them online - it is pretty easy to do). Only time I run into problems with this setup is if the network assigns DHCP addresses that change frequently, in which case your printer's address will change, and you'll have to change the printer port settings on your laptop.
New network hubs can be a little pricey but you may be able to pick up a used one at university salvage/surplus. Both of my printers and their network cards were acquired this way.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:11 PM on November 13, 2006
New network hubs can be a little pricey but you may be able to pick up a used one at university salvage/surplus. Both of my printers and their network cards were acquired this way.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:11 PM on November 13, 2006
isn't this just like "you're not allowed toasters?"
id just do it anyway.
posted by phritosan at 11:10 PM on November 13, 2006
id just do it anyway.
posted by phritosan at 11:10 PM on November 13, 2006
Response by poster: They disable net-access through the routers, so - while I could probably setup a non-net network, it wouldn't be all that convenient or useful.
posted by Gideon at 3:27 PM on November 14, 2006
posted by Gideon at 3:27 PM on November 14, 2006
« Older Can I install an earlier version of Windows? | How do you tell creepy jerks to bugger off NOW? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by paulsc at 12:50 PM on November 13, 2006