[DanielOz46]

Most articles I see refer to hard wiring the printer to a workstation and then sharing the printer. I would like to get rid of my old desktop and replace it with a laptop. I already have a wireless laptop on my network and would like a second. I have a linksys router and a HP 5550 printer that connects with a USB cable. The router has 4 available RJ45 ports.

What would I have to do to be able to remove the printer from my desktop machine and make it available to anyone on the wireless network?

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You can buy wireless print server adapters, you can also buy wired USB printer servers. Most of the wireless ones can ALSO do wired function:

http://www.newegg.co...ksys-_-33124198

Here is an example of one. Make sure the device can support the encryption you use on yoru network.

[PedroDaGR8]

You can buy wireless print server adapters, you can also buy wired USB printer servers. Most of the wireless ones can ALSO do wired function:

http://www.newegg.co...ksys-_-33124198

Here is an example of one. Make sure the device can support the encryption you use on yoru network.

[DanielOz46]

Thanks, is that an additional "server" that is connected to my router or does that replace my current router? Does my printer have to be a wireless printer? Or does the printer I have attach to that? I've been hearing all kinds of nightmares about setting up all kinds of things only to find that additional equipment must be purchased. I was kind of hoping to keep the cost to a minimum and just add something to my current setup.

[Oreo Collas]

Hello DanielOz46

Welcome to G2G! My name is Oreo Collas

I believe you can just hook your printer up to that they connect it to your wireless router.

[st0ll3n]

Dan, I work with this on a daily basis, I'm in the copier buisiness.

My recomendation: a usb print server

You may go to fry's website, pretty explanitory, and shop for a Airlink AMPS230 print server. This print server sells for about 10 bucks... You may also check a little more spendy(60$us) one made by Netgear it is a ps-101 I like this one because it is very small, and you just plug it into your router(no wireless-which is better anyways) it also has a web interface that is quite handy for configuring it.

since you are already on usb I won't go into the parellel setups. I know the Airlink will work with multi-function print setups(scan print fax scan to email) I am not sure about the Netgear one. A little bit of weighing on price vs functions on both.

hope it helps

[PedroDaGR8]

Hel St0ll3n thanks ofr the advice. I know a lot of these adapters won't handle MFP's very well, so thanks for the heads up. Also, I have heard the same as well, wired to the router is MUCH better than wireless.

[st0ll3n]

Yes I have found such too Pedro.

the Mfp setup on the Airlink adaptor is great, but I do want to point out that it is only 10 bucks, and you have to buy it in the store if I remember correctly, i don't think that one was available online as far as at fry's, now that I think back.. but i'm sure you can buy one elsewhere, we have fry's in portland and I go there often for work, so I tend to keep my eyes out.

ttyl sorry for the bump, thought it might be helpfull to the original poster also.