Printer Sharing

[Disposibleteen]

I want to share a printer on my network between my 2 computers. I set everything up right and enabled all of the sharing options. My computer that the printer is not connected to still will not see the printer, i have a linksys router (wrtg54) which port do i need to open to enable network printing?

[sllywhtboy]

if they're both on the same network (home side of your networ,) you don't need to open port on the router.

since the PC w/ the printer is a "server" now, you will have to make sure firewalls are disabled or, in winxp's firewall, allow file & print sharing for your subnet. also, the "server" will have to have "file and printer sharing for microsoft networks" installed. the client will also have to have "client for microsoft networks" installed. then, on the server, right-click on the printer and hit sharing, then "share this printer."

the best idea: pick up a print server. hp makes them (jet direct,) so does netgear, linksys, etc. then it doesn't rely on the "server" being on to print and you don't have any other services loaded on either machine, hogging resources.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF02a/18972-236253-64302.html?jumpid=go/jetdirect
http://www.netgear.com/products/consumer/prod_printserver_wired_hm.php
http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=34&scid=32

hp, by far, is the most expensive but most compatible. i found one on ebay for $30.

--slly

[Disposibleteen]

is there any way i can make sure these will be compatible with my printer? (epson 850)

[sllywhtboy]

is there any way i can make sure these will be compatible with my printer? (epson 850)the only time i've seen them not work is when they're multifunction devices (print/fax/scan)

i know a lot of docah's users have epson printers, some on jetdirect p-servers, some on netgear p-servers. he'll probably be able to shed some more light on idiosyncracies.

--slly

[Disposibleteen]

thanks i think i will get a print server, it will just make my life a ton easier, the one i am looking at is the linksys one, all of my network ger is linksys and they have always been really good gear for me, the only problem is that the $120 price is more than i payed for my router....