sharing a printer w/2 wireless notebooks

Hi,
I can't figure out how to do this. Both notebooks
are connected to the net via a Belkin wireless router and
wireless cards. No problems there. Computer 1 is my work
computer (in my office most the time), and the printer I
want to share, and Epson CX5400 printer/scanner, is
currently installed to that computer as a local printer
and connected via USB cable. It's running ME.
Computer #2 is the newer family computer, located in
the kitchen (most of the time), running XP. It currently
has it's own local printer also, but I want to get rid of
that and have this computer to be able to use the printer
in my office, and print wireless to it.
Currently, on both computers, I cannot see the
contents of the other computer in explorer, so I'm
assuming I have not set up a full blown network, even
though the wireless internet connections are working fine.
On advice from COMP USA I bought a print server to
wire into the router. I followed the directions and
failed to get it working. I got fed up with waiting on
hold for 45 minutes with the manufacturer (long distance),
and returned the print server to COMP USA. They then told
me I didn't need the print server, and could accomplish
what I wanted to do with just the router. But they
couldn't tell me how to do it. And they say COMP USA's
own support does not extend to network printing.
So I called Belkin, they also told me I could
definitely do what I wanted with just the router and
wireless cards. Said they would e-mail me directions, and
they never did. Meanwhile, I've enabled file and printer
sharing on my office computer (the one with the printer
attached I want to use - running ME). And I've run the XP
network setup wizard on the family computer. I still
can't see the contents of the other computer from either,
so I guess I've still failed at establishing a network.
Ultimately, I'd like the CX5400 to be able to be used
as a wireless printer/scanner from both computers, but I
don't know if that's possible. If not, then I'd settle
for leaving it wired and installed as a local
printer/scanner on my ME computer, and have the XP printer
print wirelessly to it. I've got to think that's at least
possible, but I'm lost and don't know hoe to make that
happen.
Any thoughts, help, or links?

Thanks,
Ed
(E-Mail Removed)

On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 05:04:39 -0800, "Ed"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Hi,
> I can't figure out how to do this. Both notebooks
>are connected to the net via a Belkin wireless router and
>wireless cards. No problems there. Computer 1 is my work
>computer (in my office most the time), and the printer I
>want to share, and Epson CX5400 printer/scanner, is
>currently installed to that computer as a local printer
>and connected via USB cable. It's running ME.
> Computer #2 is the newer family computer, located in
>the kitchen (most of the time), running XP. It currently
>has it's own local printer also, but I want to get rid of
>that and have this computer to be able to use the printer
>in my office, and print wireless to it.
> Currently, on both computers, I cannot see the
>contents of the other computer in explorer, so I'm
>assuming I have not set up a full blown network, even
>though the wireless internet connections are working fine.
> On advice from COMP USA I bought a print server to
>wire into the router. I followed the directions and
>failed to get it working. I got fed up with waiting on
>hold for 45 minutes with the manufacturer (long distance),
>and returned the print server to COMP USA. They then told
>me I didn't need the print server, and could accomplish
>what I wanted to do with just the router. But they
>couldn't tell me how to do it. And they say COMP USA's
>own support does not extend to network printing.
> So I called Belkin, they also told me I could
>definitely do what I wanted with just the router and
>wireless cards. Said they would e-mail me directions, and
>they never did. Meanwhile, I've enabled file and printer
>sharing on my office computer (the one with the printer
>attached I want to use - running ME). And I've run the XP
>network setup wizard on the family computer. I still
>can't see the contents of the other computer from either,
>so I guess I've still failed at establishing a network.
> Ultimately, I'd like the CX5400 to be able to be used
>as a wireless printer/scanner from both computers, but I
>don't know if that's possible. If not, then I'd settle
>for leaving it wired and installed as a local
>printer/scanner on my ME computer, and have the XP printer
>print wirelessly to it. I've got to think that's at least
>possible, but I'm lost and don't know hoe to make that
>happen.
> Any thoughts, help, or links?
>
>Thanks,
>Ed

Ed,

What you want to do can be done. Several ways. But you need a bit
more detail.

What model Belkin router? Are you using WEP / WPA? MAC filtering?
You should be using both.

Are you running a software firewall on either computer? You should,
though that is probably one big problem if you are. Software
firewalls are known to cause problems with sharing resources, like
file and printer access. But you need one on any computer connected
to a wireless LAN.

Does the Epson CX5400 specifically say somewhere that it's designed
for network use? I just looked on their website, and couldn't find
anything mentioning network use. I had an HP Deskjet 722C that sorta
worked on my network, but not well. I talked to HP Support, and they
told me that it was not designed for network use - it's circuitry
didn't support it. I got a Deskjet 952C that specifically says
"network", and it works great - for all 3 computers.

You'll get better, and more reliable performance, if you connect your
printer by wire to the router. Connected to a computer connected
wirelessly, your print jobs are using wireless signal from the remote
computer to the router, and from the router to the computer with the
printer. So you have contention between the two paths.

A wired connection to the router is better for a second reason. If
your work computer is turned off, or unplugged, the printer will work
if its directly connected to the router. The router is good for
sharing the internet connection fairly, and likewise for sharing the
printer.

Try and provide details as to what didn't work with the printer
server.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

Thanks for the response:
>What model Belkin router?
F5D6231-4

>Are you using WEP / WPA? MAC filtering?
>You should be using both.
I'm a little embarresed to say I don't even know what
those things are.

>Are you running a software firewall on either computer?
You should,
>though that is probably one big problem if you are.
Software
>firewalls are known to cause problems with sharing
resources, like
>file and printer access. But you need one on any
computer connected
>to a wireless LAN.
I'm pretty sure there is a firewall installed, because
when I called them once we went through it and I'm pretty
sure it's installed. At least it's installed from my ME
(Work) computer. I actually thought it was part of the
router. I never checked on the other XP (family)
computer.

>Does the Epson CX5400 specifically say somewhere that
it's designed
>for network use? I just looked on their website, and
couldn't find
>anything mentioning network use.
No, it doesn't say that specifically. I didn't know it
had to. You're the first one to mention it.

>You'll get better, and more reliable performance, if you
connect your
>printer by wire to the router. Connected to a computer
connected
>wirelessly, your print jobs are using wireless signal
from the remote
>computer to the router, and from the router to the
computer with the
>printer. So you have contention between the two paths.
>
>A wired connection to the router is better for a second
reason. If
>your work computer is turned off, or unplugged, the
printer will work
>if its directly connected to the router. The router is
good for
>sharing the internet connection fairly, and likewise for
sharing the
>printer.
>
>Try and provide details as to what didn't work with the
printer
>server.

After I hooked up the print server, and installed the
software, it had me look for the printer and re-install it
as a network printer. After I did that, all I ended up
with was another copy (copy2) of the same printer as a
local printer. It was a Hawking print server, and I tried
twice to call them (not toll free), and was put on hold
for 45 minutes each time. That's when I figured I'd take
it back and maybe eventually get something from another
brand who might actually answer the phone if I need them.
But that's whn COMP USA told me I really didn't even need
it. Later, Belkin confirmed that opinion also. But
neither would actually even attempt to tell me how to do
it. That's about where I'm at right now. If someone
tells me I need the print server, I'll probably look for
another brand and try that again.

Ed

On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 18:38:55 -0800, "Ed"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Thanks for the response:
>>What model Belkin router?
>F5D6231-4
802.11b with a 4 port switch. No printer port, which is why you ended
up with a print server.
>
>>Are you using WEP / WPA? MAC filtering?
>>You should be using both.
>I'm a little embarresed to say I don't even know what
>those things are.
The NAT router (what lets you share your internet connection) provides
a firewall that protects you from hostile internet traffic. But does
nothing for your protection against hostile wireless traffic.

To prevent your neighbors (which might be blocks away from your home)
from hijacking your wireless signal, and doing things that would get
you in trouble, you have to use the security features of the router.
- MAC filtering: prevents easy connection of unauthorised network
devices, based upon MAC address (a 12 character network card
identifier).
- WEP / WPA: encryption / authentication based upon an assignable 10
to 20 character key.

>>Are you running a software firewall on either computer?
>You should,
>>though that is probably one big problem if you are.
>Software
>>firewalls are known to cause problems with sharing
>resources, like
>>file and printer access. But you need one on any
>computer connected
>>to a wireless LAN.
>I'm pretty sure there is a firewall installed, because
>when I called them once we went through it and I'm pretty
>sure it's installed. At least it's installed from my ME
>(Work) computer. I actually thought it was part of the
>router. I never checked on the other XP (family)
>computer.
Unfortunately, both MAC filtering and WEP/WPA can be defeated by a
hijacker determined enough. So you need a software firewall on any
computer connected to the router, wired or otherwise.

You probably have Internet Connection Firewall or a third party
product on the computer. Unfortunately, the function of software
firewalls that protects you from hostile traffic also interferes with
legitimate file and printer sharing. To diagnose any problem with
file and / or printer sharing, you have to start by disabling ICF, and
/ or carefully un installing any third party firewall.

Once you get file and / or printer sharing working, you can reinstall
any third party firewall and / or activate ICF. Then, you have to
configure what you install or activate. IOW, RTFM.

>>Does the Epson CX5400 specifically say somewhere that
>it's designed
>>for network use? I just looked on their website, and
>couldn't find
>>anything mentioning network use.
>No, it doesn't say that specifically. I didn't know it
>had to. You're the first one to mention it.
Unfortunately, not all printers are capable of operating successfully
in a network environment. With HP, if it doesn't say "Network" on the
box, HP doesn't support it as a network share. Epson may be the same.

Local connection to a computer, with installation of a local driver,
may work better than remote connection to a hardware printer server
(you can't install software on the hardware printer server). You need
to verify that with Epson. They might try to sell you an Epson
printer server - and that might work better than the Hawking unit.

>>You'll get better, and more reliable performance, if you
>connect your
>>printer by wire to the router. Connected to a computer
>connected
>>wirelessly, your print jobs are using wireless signal
>from the remote
>>computer to the router, and from the router to the
>computer with the
>>printer. So you have contention between the two paths.
>>
>>A wired connection to the router is better for a second
>reason. If
>>your work computer is turned off, or unplugged, the
>printer will work
>>if its directly connected to the router. The router is
>good for
>>sharing the internet connection fairly, and likewise for
>sharing the
>>printer.
>>
>>Try and provide details as to what didn't work with the
>printer
>>server.
>
>After I hooked up the print server, and installed the
>software, it had me look for the printer and re-install it
>as a network printer. After I did that, all I ended up
>with was another copy (copy2) of the same printer as a
>local printer. It was a Hawking print server, and I tried
>twice to call them (not toll free), and was put on hold
>for 45 minutes each time. That's when I figured I'd take
>it back and maybe eventually get something from another
>brand who might actually answer the phone if I need them.
>But that's whn COMP USA told me I really didn't even need
>it. Later, Belkin confirmed that opinion also. But
>neither would actually even attempt to tell me how to do
>it. That's about where I'm at right now. If someone
>tells me I need the print server, I'll probably look for
>another brand and try that again.
That's how my remote (shared) printer looks like to my computer.
LPT1:=\\othercomputer\hpprinter. Did you try printing to copy2 after
it was installed?

If you're going to try and share the printer as attached to the
computer, you have to get the firewall issue resolved. The firewall
won't be a problem if you use a printer server, but then the printer
will be a remote printer for both computers.

So it's your choice. Do you want to deal with the firewall issue? Or
the printer server? Or use individual printers? Let me know - I'm
not finished with advice. Just be patient and persistent.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

>I'm not finished with advice. Just be patient and
persistent.

I REALLY appreciate this.

>So it's your choice. Do you want to deal with the
firewall issue? Or the printer server? Or use individual
printers? Let me know.

Initially, and still ultimately, my goal is to get rid of
the ugly printer currently in the kitchen where the family
laptop resides, and instead have it print to my Epson
CX5400 which lives in my office. That would significantly
improve the looks and function of the desk area built into
the kitchen, so that's what's driving this whole thing. I
can have my office computer connected to my printer via
wire - I don't care about that. I just need a way of
getting the family laptop's printer out of the kitchen
area.

I'm not at all opposed to spending money, and I'm not
terribly interested in learning all about networks and
solving the issue the cheapest way. So I want to do it
the best and easiest way. I also like your idea of
connecting the printer via hardwire to the router,
because there will be times when my office computer is
either off or even missing and the family will still need
to print. So based on that, I guess I do need the print
server.

Based on your advice, here's what I think I need to do:
1. Call Epson and tell them I'd like to use the CX5400 as
shared remote printer for two computers, hooked up via
wire to my wireless router, and see if they can offer can
advice as to whether it's possible and what they suggest.
2. If they say the CX5400 can't work that way, then I
guess I'm done and it's not possible. If they say that it
can, and reccomend an epson print server, then I guess I
buy that. If they say it can, but they don't have a print
server, then I guess I buy another one and try again, and
this time I'll try to find one by somebody other than
Hawking because of my bad experience with their unit and
their terrible customer service.

Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Any other
suggestions?

Ed

On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 04:34:34 -0800, "Ed"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>>I'm not finished with advice. Just be patient and
>persistent.
>
> I REALLY appreciate this.
>
>>So it's your choice. Do you want to deal with the
>firewall issue? Or the printer server? Or use individual
>printers? Let me know.
>
>Initially, and still ultimately, my goal is to get rid of
>the ugly printer currently in the kitchen where the family
>laptop resides, and instead have it print to my Epson
>CX5400 which lives in my office. That would significantly
>improve the looks and function of the desk area built into
>the kitchen, so that's what's driving this whole thing. I
>can have my office computer connected to my printer via
>wire - I don't care about that. I just need a way of
>getting the family laptop's printer out of the kitchen
>area.
>
>I'm not at all opposed to spending money, and I'm not
>terribly interested in learning all about networks and
>solving the issue the cheapest way. So I want to do it
>the best and easiest way. I also like your idea of
>connecting the printer via hardwire to the router,
>because there will be times when my office computer is
>either off or even missing and the family will still need
>to print. So based on that, I guess I do need the print
>server.
>
>Based on your advice, here's what I think I need to do:
>1. Call Epson and tell them I'd like to use the CX5400 as
>shared remote printer for two computers, hooked up via
>wire to my wireless router, and see if they can offer can
>advice as to whether it's possible and what they suggest.
>2. If they say the CX5400 can't work that way, then I
>guess I'm done and it's not possible. If they say that it
>can, and reccomend an epson print server, then I guess I
>buy that. If they say it can, but they don't have a print
>server, then I guess I buy another one and try again, and
>this time I'll try to find one by somebody other than
>Hawking because of my bad experience with their unit and
>their terrible customer service.
>
>Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Any other
>suggestions?
>
>Ed

Ed,

That's just how I'd proceed. Good luck.

One caveat: Please learn about WEP / WPA, and why you need it. Stay
safe.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.