how hard is it to network a hp laser printer for two computers?

[Nocturnal]

i wanna network a printer that my uncle and i might pick up. just two computers running winxp pro and winxp home edition.

is it hard? what will i need? there is one nic to each computer. but they are taken up by the ethernet cable.

will i need to install another cable?

i have a router and a 5 port switch as well.

tell me what i need, thanks!

 

[minendo]

Is it an actual network printer or is it like a parallel or usb printer?

 

[rw120555]

If the PCs are networked and the printer is connected to one of the PCs, then I think all you need to do is go into printers, right click on the printer, click sharing, then allow the printer to be shared. The other PC can then browse the network for this printer and add it (it might even auto-detect the printer and add it for you).

This will require that the pc connected to the printer be left on in order for the other pc to use it. If you want to avoid this, I think you could buy a print server. I've never had a print server, but I think you would just connect it to your switch or router.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: rw120555
If the PCs are networked and the printer is connected to one of the PCs, then I think all you need to do is go into printers, right click on the printer, click sharing, then allow the printer to be shared. The other PC can then browse the network for this printer and add it (it might even auto-detect the printer and add it for you).

This will require that the pc connected to the printer be left on in order for the other pc to use it. If you want to avoid this, I think you could buy a print server. I've never had a print server, but I think you would just connect it to your switch or router.

This will work well if the printer is attached through the parallel port. Otherwise it can be annoying.

 

[rw120555]

Just to clarify, I've got printers connected to PCs by both USB and parallel port, and both share just fine. But, for print servers, yeah, it may be that something other than a parallel port connection (e.g. USB) may be a problem.

HP does sell their own print servers, e.g. Jetdirect 170X. I don't know if there is any particular reason for preferring their print server over others, unless maybe it can take advantage of ideosyncratic HP features.