Verizon Router has USB ports. Plug printer into it = wireless printer?

[JEDI]

Mom switched to Verizon Fios from Verizon DSL.
She has a desktop.
When I visit, I bring my laptop and connect wirelessly.

I noticed that the Fios router has 2 usb ports.
if I plug the laser printer into it, can I make it into a wireless printer?

thus I can print from my laptop anywhere in the house instead of connecting to the router via Lan cable?

 

[Fardringle]

Some router USB ports support printers. Some only support hard drives (or flash drives).

You'd have to look up the specs of the specific router model. Or just try it and see what happens.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.ehow.com/how_6923862_do-add-printer-fios-router_.html

 

[JEDI]

http://www.ehow.com/how_6923862_do-add-printer-fios-router_.html

hm.. even if I shared the printer, the printer is still connected to the desktop.

the desktop has to be on for my laptop to access the printer wirelessly?

 

[JackMDS]

Then there is also this - http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Share-...wireless-router-to-work-with-USB/idi-p/641997

 

[KingFatty]

My understanding is the FIOS router from Verizon includes a USB port that is currently not supported.

So, the USB port is unlikely to do anything if you plug the printer into it (well, maybe it will provide some trickle of electricity, but no signals).

Maybe Verizon will come out with a BIOS update you can flash to the router that adds some functionality in the far future, or maybe you can go to the original manufacturer of the router and find non-Verizon BIOS or something that has USB support enabled (I am just speculating, but it's possible).

Otherwise, you could use other options for connecting the printer to your network. Maybe a cheap/small printer server, something like this for around $40? This would connect to your network wirelessly (or you could use a wire), then plug the USB printer into that server.
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Wireless-1-Port-Multi-Function-TEW-MFP1/dp/B007KTH73C

 

[JEDI]

Then there is also this - http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Share-...wireless-router-to-work-with-USB/idi-p/641997

apparently the usb ports on the router are disabled:
"No such functionality is available, nor has it ever been available. At present the Actiontec USB port is only able to provide power to appropriate devices (mobile phones, etc.)."

WTFBBQ?!