[Narfboy93]

Hello, I would like some help concerning setting up a network. I'm trying to hook a Desktop running XP up to a Wireless Router with a printer run through either the tower or router. How would I set it up so I could be up stairs and print it out with the printer downstairs? Thanks.

[rgreen4]

Okay, I am trying to understand exactly what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to use the router to connect two computers to one printer or one computer to two printers?

If you could provide descriptions of all computers involved (ie: laptops vs desktops, and whether they are wired only or wired or wireless and what OS is involved) and all printers involved (do they connect with USB only, USB and ethernet or USB, ethernet and wireless).

[Narfboy93]

Ill try to explain better,

Laptop 1 Laptop 2 Laptop 3
/ /
Wireless Routers
/
Desktop <----- Printer

Is that better?



Also, All laptop are wireless, the desktop is wired into the wireless router. 2 laptops are Vista and the other Laptop and desktop are XP. The Printer plugs via USB only.

[rgreen4]

Okay, you have one printer connected directly to the desktop and want to access the printer from three wireless laptops.

In that case, the desktop machine should be fairly close to the router so that the wired connection can be made between the computer and the router. The printer would then be connected to the desktop and installed as a direct connect printer (probably already done). The printer then must be shared with all other machines.

To share the printer, open the printer folder and right click on the printer, then click on properties. In the properties box, click on the shareing tab and then click on share this printer and give it a name. When it is completed, a hand will show up under printer to indicate that it is shared.

You must then set up the network. This is done based on the instruction manual that came with the router. Many come with a setup disc that can be used or you can set them up in your browsers window. Linksys routers are set up by entering 192.168.1.1 in the address bar and hit enter. Be sure to change the router name (SSID) from the default and set up a WEP/WEP2 password. At this point before you set up the laptops, your desktop should be able to connect to the internet without problems. You should always have a machine that can connect to the router via ethernet so you can access it without using the wireless features.

You will then need to set up the laptops one at a time. When you turn them on, they laptops should detect the network and ask if you wnt to connect. You simply go through the wizard and provide the password you set up previously for access to the router. After the network is set up on the laptop, you should be able to access the internet.

You then must go through the printer setup for each laptop. You must install the printer normally except that you must choose the option for a "networked printer or a printer connected to another computer" rather than a "printer connected to this computer". It will then go out and locate the printer and give you a list of available printers by name. You may need the printer setup disc that came with the printer.

[Narfboy93]

Thank you very much. I will try what you have said either Sunday or Monday.

[smax013]

rgreen4 said:

Be sure to change the router name (SSID) from the default and set up a WEP/WEP2 password.

One slight correction...that would be WEP or WPA/WPA2 and it is recommended to use either WPA or WPA2 for encryption for your wireless network...unless one of your devices cannot use either of the WPA encryption protocols. WEP, while better than nothing, is not too secure.

[rgreen4]

Absolutely correct - that should have been WPA/WPA2. WEP is not recommended as it is too weak and there is no WEP2.

[Flashorn]

Hey rgreen !!



Depending on the age of the PC / notebook , I've read that some hardware will not be

compatible with the newer protocol being WAP / WAP2. Am I right ?



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[rgreen4]

I thought it was the router (mine is a Linksys WRT-54GS that has had the firmware upgraded from V1 to v4 but no WPA2), but you could be right in that it could be the laptop as well. I don't know. In my case (living out in the country w/ house 120' from the road) WPA is probably ok. I wasn't trying to be that specific at this point. I appreciate the review as you probably have more experience in this arena than I do. (Again the beauty of the community, the breadth of experience and the fact that even when only one person seems to be working with a member, others are following the thread).

[smax013]

WPA would be either router or computer connecting router...both need to support WPA. I am not completely sure about WPA2...I would assume still assume that both need to support it (in the case of the wireless card in the computer, at least the driver/"access software" but potentially also the card itself), but maybe not since it is a hardware based encryption.

And that is why I say WEP is better than nothing. If one has an older router and/or wireless card, then it may not support WPA/WPA2. If that is the case, then WEP is better than nothing.

[Narfboy93]

Right now I have a WPA-TKIP on my router.

[smax013]

OK. You should try what [~22087] suggested and then let us know how that works or if you have problems.

[Narfboy93]

Thank you all for replying. I have but one more question. How would I connect to the internet using an XP plugged through a router? How do I enter my WPA key? Also, when I try clicking connecting to the internet, it asks for my ISP, Username and Password. Also something like PPOE

[smax013]

Narfboy93 said:

Thank you all for replying. I have but one more question. How would I connect to the internet using an XP plugged through a router?

If you are talking about using an ethernet cable with the router (i.e. a wired connection), then it should largely be a matter of plugging the computer with the cable.

Quote

How do I enter my WPA key?

Are you talking a wired connection or wireless now? If wired, then no WPA key should be needed. If wireless, then when you try to connect to a wireless connection protected with encryption, you should be asked for the encryption key.

Quote

Also, when I try clicking connecting to the internet, it asks for my ISP, Username and Password. Also something like PPOE

I likely will not be too much help as I have never really used DSL. From what I understand, you should be able to set up your router to make the PPPoE connection (i.e. supply the login ID, password, etc) and then the computers that connect to the router in theory should not need to be setup for such things. That is how I understand it, but I have never actually used it myself.

[Narfboy93]

Thank you. How would I choose what connection to connect to? Also it is wired into a wireless router. So I guess that makes it wireless.

[smax013]

Narfboy93 said:

Thank you. How would I choose what connection to connect to? Also it is wired into a wireless router. So I guess that makes it wireless.

It is a wired and wireless router (i.e. it can "serve" both wired and wireless computers)...or at least I assume it is. Most broadband routers these days actually are at least three "devices" in one. They are a router, a wired network switch, and a wireless access point. The first function (aka router) allows more than one computer to connect to your Internet connection...it handles the "routing" of all the information to and from the computers to "outside world". The second function (aka wired network switch) provides the physical additional local network ports...originally broadband routers came with ONE ethernet port for use with your local network...you then had to go buy your own network switch or hub if you wanted to physically connect more than one computer. The third function (aka wireless access point) allows wireless computers to connect to your local network and thus, through the router "function", to your Internet connection.

As to you question, I am not sure what you are asking. Which ethernet port? Or are you asking whether you should use a wired connection or a wireless connection?

If the former (i.e. which ethernet port), it does not matter as long as you are connection to one of the LAN (aka local area network) ports. There should be one port that might be labeled WLAN or WAN. This is the port that connects your router to the broadband (DSL if I remember correctly) modem. Then there should be at least one, but potentially typically up to 4 LAN ports.

If the latter, then that is up to you. If you want to use the computer all around the house, then a wireless connection is likely the better choice, but it generally does involve a little more work to setup. If the computer will only be used in the same room as the router, then a wired connection would be fine.

[Narfboy93]

Ill try to explain better, Tower<ethernet cord>wireless router<wirelessly to another router>ethernet to the modem. Does that help? Also, I appreciate all the help

[rgreen4]

You have TWO routers? Most networks only have one router. I am not aware of any limit on the number of devices that can be connected wirelessly. There is on most routers a limit of only 4 wired ports on the back for connection to wired devices. However, a simple switch can easily expand the wired portion of the network. I have one because I have 5 wired devices, two are connected to the switch whose input occupies one of the 4 available router wired slots.
Most "wireless" routers are a combination of wireless and wired access. If you wired computer is connected via ethernet to a device that is connected to the router wirelessly, it most likely is a range extender, not a second router as I don't think a router can be connected to another router wirelessly. You can daisy chain two routers via the ethernet connection (in a manner similar to a switch) in which case you can grant access to router 1 to one group with one passcode while you can grant access to another group to router 2 with a second passcode.
The best test you can make of the DSL connection is to connect the computer directly to the modem with ethernet cable. In that connection your bowser should connect to a home page automatically without any userid or password needed. Connection to the mail system, however, would need a userid and password for access. Most of the time if you have cause to contact the ISP about any connection problems, one of the first things they have you do, is connect your computer directly to the modem to separate modem problems from router problems.
I converted from satellite internet to DSL last fall. When they mailed me the modem, I connected the phone blocks to all my outlets and then plugged in the modem. I then plugged my main computer directly into the modem, turned it on and opened my browser. The opening screen was my normal homepage without any userid or password required.

[mjd420nova]

The Belkin router I use has four wired and four wireless abilities. The number one wired unit is the home server and then three wired desktops, one for audio and online purchasing and anything that requires personal info, one for video and then one for gaming. There are seven wireless units but they seldom number more than three at any one time, a desktop, two laptops, one notebook, a PS3, an XBOX360 and PSP. Thank goodness for the wireless units as I'm not to fired up about having to get a bigger router or switch. I have one USR router sitting in the wings that has a parellel port on it that may get addes later but for now the scanner and printer are on the home server so everyone can use it. The wireless desktop has its own printer/scanner setup that saves some of the running back and forth for that user as they are on the second floor.

[Narfboy93]

The one the tower is connected to is a "Printer Hub" but it wont work with just the printer hooked in as the printer doesnt have a server in it.