Home Network inc Printer

B

bugs

New Member
Hi,

I currently have a home network operating on the basis of my computer acting as the server (Windows XP jiggery pokery sorta thing) to my wife's computer.

However, I'd like to set it up in such a way that my computer does not have to be switched on all the time.

So... is it simply a case of buying a router and connecting the Internet cable broadband to it, along with the two computers and a single printer? Does that mean that we will both be able to use the Internet and the printer without having to switch on my PC?

Also... assuming my description above is correct, what am I looking for (spec wise) from a router?

Cheers
 
IF (big if) your printer is network capable, then you are right...Just connect everything to the router and the router will act as traffic-cop..your PC will not need to be on for your wife to print.
However, most printers and NOT network printers; that us, they only have connections for parallel/USB and will not acept a direct ethernet connection. Most inexpensive ink/laser are like this. More expensive/heavy-duty printers can; but they are unusual outside of a office.
Check your printer to see if if has an ethernet connection, or will acept an add-in card for that.

If the printer does not handle that...you may want to look into a A/B switch for your parallel cord, it will allow you to switch the printer between computers manually.
 
Thanks for the reply - I see what you are saying. I'll take a look at the printer spec.

What about the Internet connection? If it's fed in to the router, does that mean that my PC can remain switched off without losing the connection for my wife?

Cheers
 
bugs said:
Thanks for the reply - I see what you are saying. I'll take a look at the printer spec.

What about the Internet connection? If it's fed in to the router, does that mean that my PC can remain switched off without losing the connection for my wife?

Cheers
Click to expand...

Yes, the router will handle connections to and from the internet to your wife's PC regardless of yours being on. Your PC would only need to be on for things that are directly connected to your, PC, such as the printer.
 
There are print servers that you connect to the network, but I hear they don't always work nearly as well as just sharing from a computer.
 
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