Printer Server - Same network segment? 1

[Spidy6123]

Hey guys,

I have small business I hooked up with a new printer. The network has 8 workstations under two routers and a netgear printer server for the printer.

I didn't have much time to play with the configuration yet, but I noticed the machines on the router that does not have the printer server on it are having trouble detecting the printer.

Does the printer server have to be on the same network segment in order to be shared? Is there a way around this?

TIA

 

[LloydSev]

If the printer server is connected physically by parallel port, then there are problems connecting to that printer from a seperate subnet. However, if the printer is a Net printer, and connects via a network cable, then it will print fine.

Even printers cable of network cable connections, will not print correctly from seperate subnets if it is connected via a parallel port.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[LloydSev]

btw, not sure if this affects unix..

however this is definately a product of windows, and maybe other OSes.

Hardware print servers may not allow this either, via their operating system.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[Spidy6123]

Ok so I have then I have a problem.

The connection to the printer is as follows; router->printer server->Printer by parallel port.

Here's the printer server

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/PS101.php

What if I added the printer on one of the machines that are on the same network segment and then shared that printer through that machine? Would this work?

 

[LloydSev]

not on Win2k.. maybe XP allows this (doubt it), but Windows 2000 does not work correctly doing this.

You get a "Could not connect to printer" error when trying to install it.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[Spidy6123]

So there's nothing I can do to resolve this other than getting a larger router?

 

[franklin97355]

Why are you using two routers? What you probably need is one router and one switch.

 

[Spidy6123]

Well the cable modem that came from the ISP has a built in router.. and the network needed to be expanded, and the second router was lying around in the office..

so you're saying if I put a switch rather than a router under the modem/router then that should work fine as well?

a switch stays within a network segment?

 

[franklin97355]

yes

 

[Spidy6123]

Thank you!!

Looks like I'll be purchasing a new switch.

 

[vipergg]

low end switches cost nothing these days , go for the switch and save yourself the headaches .

 

[LloydSev]

For a detailed description on what's happening..

1) Windows uses seperate ports to connect to a printer to install and detect said printer, even when connecting to it via another system.

2) Routers (the kind you are using) have built in firewalls which automatically NAT all traffic coming out of the network.

Those combined cause the system to not be able to communicate with said computer on said port. Removing the other router and replacing it with a switch will remove the firewall and NAT actions, and allow all systems full access to all ports.

Also please keep in mind, that XP SP2 automatically enabled the client side firewall. This disables printer sharing until told to allow via the firewall exceptions rules.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[Spidy6123]

Thanks for all your help!

Turns out the linksys router has the option to disable DHCP. Therefore converting the router into a switch.

Although I still had trouble finding the printer using the regular add network printer method. So instead I added a local printer which has the option to add a tcp/ip address for the printer. This works fine for printing.

Now I'm having trouble with the scanner part of the printer. I'll be contacting the manufacturer today and I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[LloydSev]

disabling DHCP only disables DHCP, it does not turn it into a switch.

There are only two modes of a Linksys Router

1) Router
2) Bridge

Router Mode will NAT all traffic, regardless of DHCP.
Bridge Mode acts like a switch.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[Spidy6123]

Ok.. ur right.. bridge..

The DHCP table on the router ontop inherits the clients on the second router.

 

[LloydSev]

right.. because in bridge mode it is no longer acting as a router, so all services are now turned off. It is strictly a layer 3 switch at this point.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA