How do I add a Printer to a Wireless Network?
There are several methods of adding a printer to a wireless network:
- Printer sharing from a computer
- Adding a wired print server
- Adding a wireless print server
Printer Sharing from a Computer
The least expensive solution is to add a local printer to one of the computers on your wireless LAN and then enable printer sharing on that computer.
This is a good solution if at least one of the computers on your wireless LAN is a desktop or server PC.
This approach requires you to locate your printer next to the computer you use as a print server.
To share a printer in Microsoft Windows:
- Click the Start button
- Click the Control Panel menu option
- Click the Printers and Faxes icon
- Select the printer you want to share
- Click the File menu
- Click the Sharing menu item
Wired Print Servers
Another alternative is to purchase a dedicated network print server, plug it into an Ethernet port on your WAP (Wireless Access Point) and connect a printer to it.
This approach does not rely on a desktop or server PC. The downsides to this approach are cost and the fact that you have to locate your printer next to your Wireless Access Point (WAP).
Wireless Print Servers
A third approach is to purchase a dedicated wireless network print server, connect it directly to youe wireless network, and then connect a printer to it.
This approach also does not rely on a desktop or server PC. This approach does not require you to locate your printer near to one of your computers or network devices.
The only downside to this approach is cost.
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