Network Printer

[Munroast]

I have a printer that works fine if the ethernet cable from the printer is plugged into the back of the router, but if I plug the ethernet cable directly into the computer then I can't find the printer - any ideas why ? and how can i get it to work (via network)?

 

[pete50]

You cannot do that ecause the ethernet transmit line from your computer will go to the transmit line of the printer. You need what is called a crossover ethernet cable. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...e.TRS0&_nkw=crossover+ethernet+cable&_sacat=0 Or connect it via wireless. You will need to have a "direct wireless" facility on your printer toi connect directly to your computer. I have two printers one has direct wireless connectivity and that is a HP printer. The other one does not have this facility, an Epson, and I have to connect that via my router.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have a printer that works fine if the ethernet cable from the printer is plugged into the back of the router, but if I plug the ethernet cable directly into the computer then I can't find the printer - any ideas why ? and how can i get it to work (via network)?

If you mean plugging the printer via a LAN cable, into the back of your computer it does work, then yes - as suggested it is probably because you need a crossover cable, but there could be other reasons, such as IP numbers are not being allocated.

Why can you not just plug printer and PC into the router, as they are designed to? The router will then allocate IP numbers and you can have the printer anywhere you like, so long as it can communicate with the router. I have two colour lasers and a big B&W laser, stashed away in a small bedroom / office space, out of the way, with a wireless remote control to power them up when needed.

 

[IT Minion]

In practice most ethernet cards in PCs can dynamically switch from normal to crossover connections. It used to matter but nowadays less so.

If you are connecting the printer directly to the computer it should probably use a USB cable. If it's connected to the network then ethernet cable or WiFi. The two modes of operation are fairly different as far as drivers and the printer is concerned.

Networked printers are the hardest bit of tech to get working that anyone is likely to buy. More trouble doing that than setting up a VMWare host on my network.

 

[Notch7]

Networked printers are the hardest bit of tech to get working that anyone is likely to buy.

Yes, I tried sorting the network on a 3 computer abd 2 printer setup in my work office.

I soon gave up and got in an IT guy!

And had to call him back when I needed a new router......

Im now trying to connect up a sysrem at home and learning that windows 10 isnt too helpful with networks......

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Networked printers are the hardest bit of tech to get working that anyone is likely to buy. More trouble doing that than setting up a VMWare host on my network.

I didn't find that to be true, just set up the printer with a static IP, then set that IP in the printer driver.

 

[harrcart]

Once you've checked that the network settings on the device are enabled, check to see if the printer/MFP is connected to the network by doing the following:
• An Ethernet wire connecting the printer to the router/hub. Typically seen in a house or small workplace.
• An Ethernet wire that connects the printer to a wall outlet. In most cases, this occurs in a commercial setting (ask your IT support to make sure the port is live if you cannot connect).
• If this connection method is supported, through Wi-Fi to a router.

 

[Astra99]

In general, PCs, printers and so forth rely on DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) to obtain an IP address (which identifies it on the network). Your router is (usually) the DHCP server (which hands out IP addresses on demand). If you use a CAT5e cable to connect a printer directly to a printer, you will need to allocate static IP addresses (in the same subnet) to both machines. If your PC is set to DHCP, and no DHCP server can be found, then Windows will allocate an IP address in the 169.254.x.x What your printer will do is dependent on the printer's firmware. You are getting into the realms of advanced TCP/IP networking, so reading up on this is probably the best idea.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

In general, PCs, printers and so forth rely on DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) to obtain an IP address (which identifies it on the network). Your router is (usually) the DHCP server (which hands out IP addresses on demand).

A problem with DHCP for the likes of printers, is that you may find that you need to track down the printers address on the LAN, every time you need to use it. DHCP is fine for things which don't care what address they are allocated, but DHCP can be a nightmare for certain other things.

I have three printers, a weather station server, a wine fermentation server all of which are allocated static IP's in a reserved section of IP's in my main router.