Here's a fairly basic question about networking a printer. My house
has plenty of ethernet sockets, and I have a Netgear DG834G router in
the loft. I don't have a home network set up - I just use the router
so that a couple of computers can connect to the internet (either
wirelessly or through ethernet sockets). If I buy a Lexmark E120N
printer, which is networkable, could I just plug it into an ethernet
socket and get it to work with my laptop (or any other computer
connected to the router) or do I need extra hardware?

On 27 Apr, 23:14, martin_pentre... (AT) hotmail (DOT) com wrote:
PS I'm using Windows XP SP2.

martin_pentreath (AT) hotmail (DOT) com wrote:
I have a dlink DP-300U print server (with 3 printers hooked to it)
hooked to my router. All my machines (about 12) can get to any of the
printers. The one difference I have is that all the machines are
networked. You may have to do that.

John

On 27 Apr, 23:28, Jworman <jws... (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote:

Thanks for the advice John. I was concerned that I might need a print
server, or some other bit of kit between the router and the printer.
So the I would just plug the printer into one of the ethernet sockets
on the router and the computers should be able to find it? I've just
been looking at the user manual for the printer on the Lexmark
website, but it's a bit of a disgrace so far as networking is
concerned - apart from mentioning that the printer has an ethernet
socket it doesn't really acknowledge the concept of networking at all.

martin_pentreath (AT) hotmail (DOT) com wrote:
For the purpose of printing only on network, it is pretty easy for most
printers if printer server is used. My case was to include scanning on
network. Then choice of printers narrowed down quite a bit. I can
print/scan on housewide network wirelessly.

martin_pentreath (AT) hotmail (DOT) com wrote:
You shouldn't need any more kit (except an ethernet cable if not included with
the printer and one to connect the router to the distribution point in your
attic) but you will have to network the PC's using your existing router. Use
the networking wizard in Win XP, it is pretty simple to follow and make sure
you allow print sharing across the network..
If the printer has a scanner you will need to check that it can be networked,
not all can but the printing capability will be OK.
Once you have the network set up, there should be one of two ways to network
the printer.
1. The printer allows the setting of ip address and other parameters from its
front panel and then you install the driver and specify the address there or
2. You install the driver and it will search across the network for the printer
and assign an ip address.
These things are usually easier to set up than they appear but look at the
resources at http://www.coribright.com/windows/ and at
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/NetPrinterAllUsers.htm
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

martin_pentreath (AT) hotmail (DOT) com wrote in news:1177712057.130992.219210
@c18g2000prb.googlegroups.com:

You do have a home network set up.

martin_pentreath (AT) hotmail (DOT) com <martin_pentreath (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:
That *is* a network. You may mean you don't have Windows file sharing
set up, which just means your network is more secure than most.

You should not need extra hardware. I rarely disagree with Tony, but
you don't need Windows print sharing with a network printer.

PS: Friends don't let friends buy Lexmark.
PPS: Check your local Craigslist and classifieds for used
network-capable LaserJets. You may be able to find
something much better for less than the $150 of the Lexmark.

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA

Warren Block <wblock (AT) wonkity (DOT) com> wrote in
news:slrnf3700t.1h46.wblock (AT) speedy (DOT) wonkity.com:

FWIW, IMO Lexmark lasers aren't bad, it is just their inkjets that are to
be avoided.

Warren Block <wblock (AT) wonkity (DOT) com> wrote:
Warren
Thank you for picking up the error, you are of course correct that printer
sharing is not required (I must have been tired!).
I have to say that I agree with Gary, Lexmark lasers are generally fine apart
from some of the earlier small lasers. The larger ones give very little trouble.
Lexmark inkjets however are an entirely different story.
Tony