Can a Router be used to share files / printer?

[imported_Driller]

2 pcs at my house, both on a cable modem into a SllipStream router which has a parallel port for printer sharing [using bundled software].

Would like to share
1) same Outlook pst file
2) a database
3) a new USB printer

to both pcs.

Can be done? Need more software or hardware?
Or just more WinXP network savvy?
Link to a site with help?

I am an advanced user of engr tech software, shade tree system builder, NO network expereince other than hooking up the above and using LAN at office.

 

[imported_Driller]

OK.
No views, much less answers.
How about a poll?
My question is:
1) So basic its laughable
2) totally unintersting and irrelevant for this forum
3) no one wants to spend time giving help
4) other
????

 

[ktwebb]

The router portion of the typical Router/Switch combo isn't all that relevant to file and printer sharing. You get an IP from the router's DHCP server. It's the LAN ports, the switch, and the TCP/IP protocol that allow you to "share"

So the short answer is yes, though I wouldn't know first hand about sharing a .pst file. I would think you could point your email client, outlook assumably, to a network share instead of a local file. Having two clients hit that at the same time without server software, Microsoft Exchange for example, would be a question an Outlook/Exchange "expert" could answer.

 

[JackMDS]

A1. Basically kwebb gave you the answer.

There are some 3rd party utilities that synchronize the pst files over the network, thus make it the same on all computers.

Example: http://www.synchpst.com/product.htm

A2. If you are using a Data base program that was designed for multi users it can be done.

A3. The Router?s LPT port is not going to help you with USB printer. You need to get a USB printer server.

:sun:

 

[gsaldivar]

You can share the USB printer to the network from the computer its connected to, however, the connected computer must be turned on in order for others to be able to print to it on the network, and both computers will slow while processing print jobs. As suggested above, you should use a hardware server to do this properly:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?p=&q=...r+server&btnG=Search+Froogle&scoring=p

As far as sharing the PST file, I haven't done it personally, but I hear that it is possible to do as long as both users aren't reading the file at the same time. (The file will "lock" when the first user opens it, preventing an additional user from reading it.) As mentioned above, there are a few 3rd party workarounds to this. Here is a link to one, others can be found by Googling for "share pst file":

http://www.4team.biz/

As mentioned by JackMDS - if your database software was intended for a multi-user environment, you should be able to share this across the network as well. Some products include a built-in peer sharing system which "shares" to other users on the network, other products require a stand-alone server which "shares" to other clients on the network. Here is a link to one product which can be used both ways:

http://www.filemaker.com/products/fm/index.html

There is a Flash demo at the bottom of this page:

http://www.filemaker.com/products/fm/whatsnew.html

Good luck! :beer:

 

[imported_jambo]

yes, that and sharing the internet is the purpose of a router

 

[mboy]

You can just use a switch if you want to only have network shares. Router is needed to route to internet or between subnets (or a layer 3 switch).

 

[imported_Driller]

Thanks to all the folks who donated some time to help me!
Probably can't help many of you in return unless you are stuck with a triaxial analysis, FEA, or heat flux problem with a an oil well.

Networking via a router:
Couldn't believe how incredibly easy it was.
I decided against sharing the outlook file and instead split our email accounts, so that should do us for now.
For now will be sharing the printer via the connected pc until I can get a good deal on a print server(or it the router dies, get another router with a USB connection).

Many Thanks

Driller