Connecting network printer to WiFi net

[Brian Stirling]

I, along with a number of my co-workers, will be working as vendors at a site with unknown internet connectivity and I'd like some ideas on possible connection strategies. It is likely that they will offer either wifi or LAN and maybe both but so far we have not received confirmation of this. My particular concern is being able to network the laser printer (Brother MFC-9120CN) so that we can all use it without having to swap out, one-at-a-time, the USB cable. So, given the two likely connectivity options here's what I'm thinking:

LAN BUT NO WIFI:

If they offer a LAN setup we could plug the printer into the LAN directly or perhaps install a wifi router with LAN ports. If we can use a wifi router that should give all the techs access to the printer without any hookup (Ideal) but if they do not permit us to use a wifi router than perhaps a switch to permit multiple techs to connect to the LAN.

WIFI BUT NO LAN:

If they offer wifi but no LAN would I get a wifi print server?

WIFI AND LAN:

If they offer both what would be the best connectivity path if the goal is minimum cabling with maximum access? Also, in addition to printing we need to be able to use the scanner so is there anything I need to know that might complicate using the scanner?


Brian

 

[imagoon]

Your solution is going to be specific to what the site will allow you. I personally would not allow you to set up a static IP for the printer on my internal LAN. Also you would be kicked off the premises if you attached a wireless lan / router to my network in order to share it.

Your safest option is to use router to share a port some place and configure all your equipment to use the LAN. Your goal of minimal wiring is only your goal because it is not your network to maintain and secure. Your client may have other ideas. If they have wireless only, carry a small AP that you can connect to their network and then connect the router to that.

MFC printers being able to scan to the network is typically a function of the printer itself. Without breaking out the manual I have no idea if your brother printer will let you scan while network attached.

 

[ecom]

There is a conference room in my building that is rented to anyone who wants to use it. We provide them with Internet access and telephone as needed, but if I find that they are connecting a WAP there, I'd prolly kick them off too. I'd just pull the connection at the patch panel.

For your second situation you can have everyone print to that printer directly via Wifi - no need for print server. But everyone would need to download the drivers from Internet or get them from the disc that came with the printer.

I don't know about your printer, but my Brother MFC8670 will scan to FTP only unless a host computer has the TWAIN drivers installed and possibly connected via USB. Any host you want to scan to would need an FTP server set up if your printer even supports it.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Your solution is going to be specific to what the site will allow you. I personally would not allow you to set up a static IP for the printer on my internal LAN. Also you would be kicked off the premises if you attached a wireless lan / router to my network in order to share it.

Your safest option is to use router to share a port some place and configure all your equipment to use the LAN. Your goal of minimal wiring is only your goal because it is not your network to maintain and secure. Your client may have other ideas. If they have wireless only, carry a small AP that you can connect to their network and then connect the router to that.

MFC printers being able to scan to the network is typically a function of the printer itself. Without breaking out the manual I have no idea if your brother printer will let you scan while network attached.

Well I wouldn't attempt to install a wifi router without permission and suspect you're right that they will not but I had to ask just in case they do.

What is a "small AP" and what does it do?

The MFC printer does permit printing and scanning over the LAN/network but I wonder if putting a wifi router in between would introduce issues?


Brian

 

[ecom]

If they permit you to put that printer and wireless router device on the LAN, then you should turn off DHCP and disable the WAN interface on the router and use the LAN ports on the wireless router so everything is on the same network.

 

[imagoon]

Well I wouldn't attempt to install a wifi router without permission and suspect you're right that they will not but I had to ask just in case they do.

What is a "small AP" and what does it do?

The MFC printer does permit printing and scanning over the LAN/network but I wonder if putting a wifi router in between would introduce issues?


Brian

Any access point that can act as a client. In the scenario I was thinking of it basically acts like a fancy wireless to wired converter. They make them for game consoles etc.