Going wireless - help needed please

[MajorPanic]

I've decided to finally go wireless with a router & 3 computers. This seems straight froward but I have a question about our old HP LaserJet 4Plus printer.

At the moment it (the printer) is hitched up to a print server & has been assigned an IP address via the print server. This is attached to the current network via Cat5 cable & a switch.

If I get a wireless router/gateway can I just plug in the print server into the router & the printer will be available to all computers via wireless network?

[Stuart]

Just make sure the wireless router you get can handle having a printer plugged into it - not all can. (Well mine might just be too old....)

Think the modern Netgear ones can handle it no probs.

[MajorPanic]

Thanks Stuart,

I'm looking at the latest Netgear WNR834B (http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/RangeMaxNEXTWirelessRoutersandGateways/WNR834B.aspx) router & the WN311B (http://www.netgear.com/Products/Adapters/RangeMaxNextWirelessAdapters/WN311B.aspx) cards for the setup (802.11n). Supposed to give 270Mbps........we''ll see about that latter :rolleyes:

[Stuart]

I normally recommend for home users the DG834G, but you may have extra requirements! (such as kids who want to kick your *** in Unreal Tournament!)

Unless you have cable broadband, don't expect any speed increase, as 802.11b is faster than ADSL, so the broadband is the choke point, not the router.

For example, I'm getting 425kbps ADSL broadband (512 connection), so 270 Mbps is huge compared to that

However, for printing, file sharing between computers etc, then the more the better (and more range is good).

What I really like about Netgear is the excellent built-in firewall and the absolute ease to set up, and to enable WEP for all the security you need!

[Wood Butcher]

I have a D-Link setup and am very happy with it but I wish I had spent the extra money at the time and got a router that had a print sever built in. The cheapest that I have seen a stand-alone print server is around $150 which is a bit out my league at the moment.

[MajorPanic]

Fortunately I'm on the Telstra cable plan that is supposed to be 17Mbps so I might see a bit of difference then :rolleyes:

We also move large files around on a regular basis (400MB - 1.5GB) so this would help here.

[Ianab]

That router will work fine with your existing Cat5 network, infact you could just plug your current switch into one of it's cat5 ports and carry on.

When we wire something like that we usually connect the primary PC / print server etc to the router via cat 5. Installing a wireless card to communicate to an access point thats 1 m away seems a bit silly :-

Then go wireless for the laptops / remote PCs.

Despite what the web sites say, a cabled connection is still more reliable and generally faster. If you really need speed you can have gigabit on cat6 cable :wink:

Cheers

Ian

[Stuart]

Netgear WRG614 can take a printer, and is $73...... :D If you are going to plug in a USB printer then you also need PS121. You might be able to plug a network enabled printer directly, but don't quote me.

The Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121) is $113, but I'm not sure how that is then used (plugged into a compatible wireless router I think).

[Stuart]

Fortunately I'm on the Telstra cable plan that is supposed to be 17Mbps so I might see a bit of difference then :rolleyes:

We also move large file around on a regular basis (400MB - 1.5GB) so this would help here.
:( And I'm struggling with my pitiful 512k :(

sounds like you need all the speed you can get!

[Big Shed]

:( And I'm struggling with my pitiful 512k :(

sounds like you need all the speed you can get!

Everything is relative Stuart, I have just come off dial-up (after 6 years) and I think 512k is pure heaven!:2tsup:

Not to mention not getting any bitching about tying up the phone line!:rolleyes:

[Ianab]

You might be able to plug a network enabled printer directly, but don't quote me.


Should be no problem, as long as he gets the IP addresses matched up, the wireless and wired devices will see each other normally.

Ian

[Stuart]

Don't disagree with that - I ain't EVER going back to dialup. Had to use it for a friend the other day - the boredom of waiting almost killed me!

[Big Shed]

Just another thing in the country, you have to wait for Trujillo's boys to get their act together:)

[MajorPanic]

Netgear WRG614 can take a printer, and is $73...... :D If you are going to plug in a USB printer then you also need PS121. You might be able to plug a network enabled printer directly, but don't quote me.

The Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121) is $113, but I'm not sure how that is then used (plugged into a compatible wireless router I think).The HP Laser printer is OLD & is parallel only, the network card for it is worth more than the printer - even 2nd hand :oo: It's plugged into a Netgear PS110 so I was hoping to be able to utilise it.

[Master Splinter]

Yeah, I guess being 15 minutes from parliament house classifies as country, too. Still no broadband. Beancounting idiots at Telstra = RIMs = cant handle broadband

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

If I get a wireless router/gateway can I just plug in the print server into the router & the printer will be available to all computers via wireless network?

Yes, provided the print server itself is seen by (and can be seen by) the wireless network.

If you want the printer as a standalone unit on a wireless network, then you're looking at headaches.

Simple. :wink:

[Stuart]

Hmm - think I need to experiement :D I have an HP lazerjet 4, with network card, so just need a new router ;)

[Barry_White]

Yeah, I guess being 15 minutes from parliament house classifies as country, too. Still no broadband. Beancounting idiots at Telstra = RIMs = cant handle broadband



You should qualify for Broadband connect and go 2 way satellite. Free equipment, free connection and you can get 256kps for about $34.00 a month the only problem is 500k download/upload limit but at least it beats dialup. If your prepared to pay more per month you can get more download and faster speeds.

[Bodgy]

One word of warning Major.

If you have a double brick house and brick internal walls, you may find (like us) that the signal drops so much as you get further from the router, that the notebooks at the other end of the house are effectively useless. I've had to replace one with a cable and the Idiot Child is now lobbying for her wirelesss card to also be replaced by a cable.

As other have said, the cable is far faster than the wireless connection. I have the wireless Netcomm router/firewall.

[Shedhand]

I have an Epson Stylus PHOTO R210 and an HP Laserjet 1010 connected to a usb 2.0 hub then to my primary computer which then serves the print functions to my other computers wirelessly. Works beautifully. SWMBO can waste all my colour ink printing gazillions of photos of the grandkids (beats me why) while I trundle away on my notebook printing to the 1010. A perfect world. Almost. Being single and young again would be perfection. :(

[MajorPanic]

Just a final note.

Got the aforementioned router, a little fiddling with the firmware for the 5 year old print server & hey presto all works like a dream! :2tsup: :2tsup: :2tsup:

All web page based configuration... easy as!! :D :D

[Stuart]

I love Netgear gear :)

[Groggy]

DrayTek Mmmm, Mmmm

[Poppa]

I have a question for you chaps (who seem so knowledgable about all this). We're in the process of renovating/building a new house. I was thinking of getting the whole house wired for networking (ports in every room except loos and bathrooms) and also wired for free-to-air TV, cable TV, radio reception, the works basically. I currently run a wireless network for our computers but like you chaps have had problems with range and reception through walls.

Do you think I'm wasting money getting the house cabled (haven't had it done yet)? Have any of you had experience using the networking capability of the power circuits within your house (Netcomm have a system available on the local market - there may be others, and I've heard of broadband being delivered over power lines in other countries)? Do you think there is a better option?

We have at least 3 computers for business, and I'd like to have one (at least) as a home entertainment centre as well. I currently use a Linksys ADSL modem that has wireless local networking functionality. And I've got a network disk drive plugged into the router, with another hard drive and my printer hanging off that (the printer isn't working so well in that mode though - might move it back).

[Stuart]

Hard call. On one hand I'd say save your money, but on the other, its real easy to plug a computer into an actual port, and know you are getting full speed, and without any security issues etc. On the other, wireless everything is fast coming - look at the new Apple TV and Airport Extreme (they work on PCs and Macs)

http://images.apple.com/airportextreme/images/footerappletv_20070109.png

http://images.apple.com/appletv/images/footerairportextreme_20070109.png

Don't think cables are going to survive much longer! Streaming TV from your computer to your TV set, wireless internet/network everywhere at 5x the speed of 802.11g (and I'm still using 802.11b :roll: )

[abitfishy]

Ah, I know nothing about woodwork, thank god, a subject I know something about (I'm an IT Consultant).

If you are building the house, and therefore getting power etc cabled anyway, then it shouldn't be much more to cable with lan cable (depends on your contractor I guess. I always prefer a physical connection over a wireless connection anyday, mainly because it 'usually' works first time.

The only potential issue is with the change in technology, you never know when your 'old' cable system is going to be obsolete. If it wasn't equivalent to the national debt to get it done, I'd go for it.

Just make sure that all cabling is obviously cabled back to a central 'cupboard', with easy access, preferably near the MDF for the premises (as in 'main distribution frame' not medium density fibreboard), and ensure it has excellent circulation too (maybe a ventilation duct into the ceiling, for instance).

Also make sure your contractor has appropriate ACA approval, as being an electrician doesn't automatically give a licence to data cable (well, it didn't when I became ACA licenced). If not done by australian cabling standard, which an electrician needs to do, including seperation from 240v cabling, you will find interference, drop outs etc CAN become a nightmare. Electricians have been known to cable tie data cable to electrical cable! :no: :no:

Martin Field
(The Mobile Computer Doctor).
mmm....talk about a free plug, hope its allowed! :o

[Groggy]

Martin Field
(The Mobile Computer Doctor).
mmm....talk about a free plug, hope its allowed! :oHmm, well, just this once. Actually, this is twice, but you get my drift :wink:.

Good info though, thanks.

Groggy
Moderator

[MajorPanic]

Groggy - The apprentice Axe-Wielding Mongrel :wink: :D :D :D :2tsup:

Now, go & find a left-handed axe :doh:

[Groggy]

Groggy - The apprentice Axe-Wielding Mongrel :wink: :D :D :D Neil didn't give me an axe. I wanted a Taser or stun gun - but nothin', nada, nix, nil :(.

Instead I use one of Derek's mini-marking knives to carve out incisive comments :D

[Cliff Rogers]

Neil didn't give me an axe. I wanted a Taser or stun gun - but nothin', nada, nix, nil :(.....
Thank goodness.

[MajorPanic]

Thank goodness. I'm with you Cliff!!
Imagine Groggy wif a double bladed axe... he wouldn't stop swinging :oo:.......... then again..:cool: :cool: :cool:

[Groggy]

If you guys are having a go at me, be warned, someone will tell me! :)

[MajorPanic]

Cliff,

If you won't tell, neither will I! :wink: :D :D :rolleyes:

[Cliff Rogers]

Cliff,

If you won't tell, neither will I! :wink: :D :D :rolleyes:
Tell who what. :? :p

[Waldo]

I currently run a wireless network for our computers but like you chaps have had problems with range and reception through walls.

G'day Poppa,

Having just been through this myself a couple of months ago run a Airport Extreme Base Station from your router, at another point run an Apple Airport Express the two have a radius of 15m each and thr cross over will give great signal strength. Easy to set up and even hassle free for a PC.

The new Airport the n one has a signal strength of 30m and greater speed thingy.

I have an Airport Extreme Base Station running off my router in the office in my shed, 20m from the house and an Airport Express at a powerpoint near the window of ther house and in a direct line to office. this setup gives me coverage everywhere. I ran a test with just the Aiport Express running from the house and was able to get coverage anywhere within my 1000sqm property but installed the two aanyway. All up it cost me $400 for the two Airports. My PC IT mate was amazed at how easy it is to set up on a PC, which SWMBO runs.