Computer and Software Support


 Network a Printer

There is two types of printers

  • Printers with built in network features - They will have a network built into the printer. You can connect the network cable directly into the system. It will provide its own TCP/IP address instead of sharing another system's IP address

  • Printers that does not have network capability - These have to be connected directly to a system

If you are trying to share a printer through a network, there is two different methods to share a printer

 

Connect printer to a computer

In most home networks, the printer is connected to the network via a computer. You have to set up the printer on a system and tell that system that you want to share the printer with all the other systems. Once you share the printer, you can install the printer on the other systems. Depending on the systems, you may or may not have to install the driver on the other systems. You may just have to set it up but if the system does not have the printer driver, you will have to install it.

Click here for information on peer to peer and server workstation networks

To share the printer do the following

  1. Make all computers have the same Workgroup name

    1. Go to computer name change (This link will open in a different window)

    2. Look where it says Workgroup and verify the name here is the same on all computers you want to share a printer

    3. Reboot the computer

  2. Share the printer on the system the printer is connected to

    1. Go to Control Panel (This link will open in a different window)

    2. For assistance with sharing the printer, click here.

You may have to install the printer driver on the system for it to work properly.

NOTE: The system that has the printer connected will have to be turned on in order for the other systems to be able to print to the printer. The other systems will not see the printer with the system turned off.

 

Connect printer to network via router

Some printers have a network card built in. This allows you to connect the printer directly to the router. The advantage of this is that you do not have to have a computer turned on to access the printer. You will have to set it up as a device in the network using the IP address of the printer. The procedure is different depending on the printer that you have and will need to consult the manual of the printer.