Connecting to multiple devices with a single computer

[haegrrl]

Through a hub, I would like to connect my printer, copier and fax machine to my computer. I couldn't find the answer anywhere in help. It kept referring to network connections yada yada.
Oh yeah, I tested all of the devices by connecting each one to the computer and they work just fine. But when I connect the devices to the hub ports they no longer work.
If anyone can provide any instructions on how to do this, I would greatly appreciate it! I am on a serious deadline/time frame. Thanx again! Joi

 

[bcastner]

Are these USB connections we are talking about, or TCP/IP? If USB, use a powered USB hub. All three devices may draw more current than can be reliably handled by the computer USB ports.

If these are three TCP/IP devices, it may be that they all are trying to use the same IP address. You will need to find how to configure each to unique and non-conflicting IPs to make this work.

 

[haegrrl]

Hello,
All of the devices are using Ethernet lines plus into the hub.

TCI/IP? The computer is not connected to the internet. Does it need to be? Would I still need to use the TCP/IP?

 

[bcastner]

If you are using ethernet cables to connect the devices, then they would be using TCP/IP to communicate with the devices. It has nothing to do with the internet. What you cannot have is for the devices to try and share an IP address.

click Start, Printers and Faxes, and right-click the defined devices one-by-one and see what ports are assigned to them. You could well find that two or more are expecting to use the same TCP/IP IP address.

 

[haegrrl]

Thank you so much bcastner. I will try that and let you know if it worked okay.

 

[wcburton]

Could it could also be a problem with the cables used? Items connected directly will generally use a crossover cable. Connecting through the hub could require a different cable. What models of each item do you have?

 

[haegrrl]

Hi wcburton,

The three items that I would like to connect to:
- HP Deskjet Color Printer - 5740
- Brother Intellifax - 1270
- Lanier Digital Copier/Printer - 2145

Thanx

 

[wcburton]

When I look at the specs for each of the devices, this is what I find:

HP 5740 is a USB device.
Brother 1270 does not seem to have a PC connection, only phone line connection.
Lanier 2145 is a network (Ethernet) device.

I do not see how you can hook these up to a PC through a single hub. Are you perhaps talking about sharing these devices among multiple PC's using a hub for each device?

 

[haegrrl]

I guess I must be thinking of what you mentioned and I am just saying the wrong terminology.
I have a 6 port Linksys Ethernet Cabel/DSL router.

If the HP printer has a USB connection, how does it get connected to the router?

 

[bcastner]

The HP obviously has the optional HP Jetdirect interface installed.

 

[haegrrl]

Hello,

I am not that techie. What is HP Jetdirect interface?

 

[bcastner]

It provides a LAN/Ethernet connection to the HP Printer.

 

[haegrrl]

Oh I see. Yes, your are correct it does have an ethernet connection. So it sounds like I can connect the Lanier Copier and HP Printer thru the router and router to computer. It's not working though. Do I setup the tci/ip connection like you suggested earlier? If so, where would the directions for this process be in the help?

Thnx

 

[tomaso11]

Try looking here.

http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/entry.php

You have a network?

Thomas

So...who actually cans the worms then?

 

[bcastner]

HP Printer:
If you print a printer status page on the HP while connected it will tell you its IP address assignment.

Then:
. disable DHCP on the printer
. Set a static IP address. Try 192.168.1.5

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,11245889~mode=flat

Now configure a new printer definition in Printers and Faxes:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=bpj06391

This should make it non-conflicting with the Lanier.

 

[haegrrl]

Thank you for the links. I will try the solutions and let you know how it works out. Thnx again.