ture
asked on
Split single network cable so that two network printers can be connected
I have recently purchased two very nice printers (HP LaserJet 4350n and HP Color LaserJet 3800n).
These printers both come with built-in network print servers.
We have an existing network in the building with a file server running Windows 2000 Server software.
I believe that we run the network at only 10 MBit/s.
The problem I have is that there is only ONE ethernet cable running from the server and the room where the printers will be. Distance between server and printer room is approximately 15 meters. I don't want to run a new cable from the server room to the printer room if it can be avoided. How can we connect both printers to the network throught this single cable?
My idea is to use an old, simple 8 port 10 Mbit/s D-Link hub which I have. Would it be possible to plug the network cable to port 1 of the hub and connect the printers' short network cables to ports 2 and 3?
I'm not very good at networking, so please be gentle with me.
Best regards,
Ture Magnusson
Karlstad, Sweden
These printers both come with built-in network print servers.
We have an existing network in the building with a file server running Windows 2000 Server software.
I believe that we run the network at only 10 MBit/s.
The problem I have is that there is only ONE ethernet cable running from the server and the room where the printers will be. Distance between server and printer room is approximately 15 meters. I don't want to run a new cable from the server room to the printer room if it can be avoided. How can we connect both printers to the network throught this single cable?
My idea is to use an old, simple 8 port 10 Mbit/s D-Link hub which I have. Would it be possible to plug the network cable to port 1 of the hub and connect the printers' short network cables to ports 2 and 3?
I'm not very good at networking, so please be gentle with me.
Best regards,
Ture Magnusson
Karlstad, Sweden
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you will have to either cross the cable running from the server room or get hold of a hub with a cross over port.
Hi Ture,
To clarify my statements, assuming that the existing cable connects to a network switch, if you try to connect a hub to that cable, it will not establish link because the transmit and receive pairs on each end are the same. A crossover cable will reverse the mapping such that the transmit on one end will match up with the receive on the other end and vice versa. Any time you connect like ethernet devices (PC to PC, Router to Router, Switch/Hub to Switch/Hub), you need to use a crossover cable.
So operating with the previous assumption, in order to establish a link between the hub and switch using the existing cable, we need to reverse the transmit/receive pairs on one end. One way to doe this is to use a coupler (more on that in a second) to mate the existing cable with a crossover cable so that the hub can connect to the switch. A coupler is a simply a small device that has two female RJ-45 ends.
here's a picture of one: http://www.toppsoft.com/ebay/rj45-ff.jpg
There are also "crossover couplers" which have one male end and one female end that eliminate the need for a separate crossover cable:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Crossover_Adapter_DSC01805.JPG/180px-Crossover_Adapter_DSC01805.JPG
Also, some hubs have a feature called Auto-MDIX which can automatically detect if a crossover is needed, and the interface will effectively cross itself over.
Another feature i've seen is a toggle switch that are found on some hubs and network switches, where one can manually change the pinout orientation by toggling the switch.
Check to see if you hub has any of the built-in features, and if so, you can use the existing cable as is.
HTH,
Bobby
To clarify my statements, assuming that the existing cable connects to a network switch, if you try to connect a hub to that cable, it will not establish link because the transmit and receive pairs on each end are the same. A crossover cable will reverse the mapping such that the transmit on one end will match up with the receive on the other end and vice versa. Any time you connect like ethernet devices (PC to PC, Router to Router, Switch/Hub to Switch/Hub), you need to use a crossover cable.
So operating with the previous assumption, in order to establish a link between the hub and switch using the existing cable, we need to reverse the transmit/receive pairs on one end. One way to doe this is to use a coupler (more on that in a second) to mate the existing cable with a crossover cable so that the hub can connect to the switch. A coupler is a simply a small device that has two female RJ-45 ends.
here's a picture of one: http://www.toppsoft.com/ebay/rj45-ff.jpg
There are also "crossover couplers" which have one male end and one female end that eliminate the need for a separate crossover cable:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Crossover_Adapter_DSC01805.JPG/180px-Crossover_Adapter_DSC01805.JPG
Also, some hubs have a feature called Auto-MDIX which can automatically detect if a crossover is needed, and the interface will effectively cross itself over.
Another feature i've seen is a toggle switch that are found on some hubs and network switches, where one can manually change the pinout orientation by toggling the switch.
Check to see if you hub has any of the built-in features, and if so, you can use the existing cable as is.
HTH,
Bobby
You can try Cool Ports - It splits 1 x cat5 into 2 .. they also do one to split into 3 so you can add telephones too have a look at http://www.cablemanstore.co.uk/#39357X0
D
D
ASKER
Thank you. I split the points split between MASQUERAID and Bobby.
MASQUERAID was quick with a confirmation that my intended solution was an acceptable way to go.
Bobby provided extended information and a good follow-up.
Southie and Daniel - thanks to you also. But you get no points this time.
Actually, I didn't find my old hub when rummaging through a bunch of dusty boxes with mixed computer stuff. So I bought a cheap Netgear switch (FS605), which has MDI-MDIX capability. So I guess I'm all set now. I plan to connect the thingies within a couple of days.
MASQUERAID was quick with a confirmation that my intended solution was an acceptable way to go.
Bobby provided extended information and a good follow-up.
Southie and Daniel - thanks to you also. But you get no points this time.
Actually, I didn't find my old hub when rummaging through a bunch of dusty boxes with mixed computer stuff. So I bought a cheap Netgear switch (FS605), which has MDI-MDIX capability. So I guess I'm all set now. I plan to connect the thingies within a couple of days.
>> I plan to connect the thingies
LOL! Thanks :)
LOL! Thanks :)
ASKER
The switch and the printers are now installed. Everything worked just fine. Thanks again all!
ASKER
I'm not sure that I understand a couple of things in your suggestions, Bobby...
1) What is a coupler?
2) I can't see how I could use a "short crossover cable". The switch (if there is one) and the hub are 15 meters apart. The whole idea is to use the existing network cable between the server room and the printer room.