Networking Printers

[Euler]

Hi everyone

I hope someone can help, as not sure if this is possible but here goes. I have 2 PCs and 1 printer. The printer is attached to the pc upstairs, and another PC downstairs. I am currently setting up a wired network using router. Will it be possible for the downstairs PC to print to the printer when the upstairs PC is turned off, ie, could I attach the printer directly to the router, or do I need some other 'bits'.

I hope this question is not to stupid, Thanks

[limblee]

It all depends on the printer, I've recently bought a Lexmark X4580 wifi printer. This only needs to be connected to a pc for setup, after that it doesn't need to be directly connected any pc. Well worth the ton it cost.

[phil-uk]

Depends also on your router, some have a built in USB print server so you can connect your printer to it via it's USB cable. So, if neither your printer has network features as suggested below or your router has a print server built in then you will need new bits as you say.

[1saintly]

im after doing same thing, been looking at this ....http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=531175 But replacement cartridges seem expensive!!! so thinking of this... http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=487005 cheaper cartridges BUT will need this http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=599488 to be able to plug it directly into my router, (or any available connection point as the house is hard wired with CAT5 cable) as it only uses USB, just waiting for a reply from EDIMAX to tell me they are compatible, should be but its not yet listed as so on there website yet!!

[Euler]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful. Cheers again

[FaxFan2002]

What printer do you have? A network printer or a printer that plugs in to parallel port onto a network printer server (prob. about 30 quid must be a ton of them on ebay) would be your best bet, the network printer server is then assigned an ip address and you printer to that from either pc.