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Windows 7 -- shared printer over WiFi
The setup:
- Win7 box hard-wired to a hub. Shared printer connected via USB. Subnet 192.168.1.0. Call this Computer A.
- Three WiFi clients hanging off a Cisco N Router on the hub. Subnet 192.168.10.0.
Try as I might, I cannot get the WiFi clients to recognize the shared printer on Computer A. It did work with the previous WiFi router.
Anyone have a simple solution, aside from purchasing a second NIC for Computer A?
TIA
- Win7 box hard-wired to a hub. Shared printer connected via USB. Subnet 192.168.1.0. Call this Computer A.
- Three WiFi clients hanging off a Cisco N Router on the hub. Subnet 192.168.10.0.
Try as I might, I cannot get the WiFi clients to recognize the shared printer on Computer A. It did work with the previous WiFi router.
Anyone have a simple solution, aside from purchasing a second NIC for Computer A?
TIA
ASKER
I've tried:
- using the IP instead of hostname
- turned off all firewall settings in the wifi router
I CAN ping across subnets, from 192.168.10.0 to addresses on 192.168.1.0. But I CAN'T access any services across subnets -- not file sharing, database, nothing. Could this be something in the Wifi router? No services are blocked and the firewall features are turned off.
The only way I can get the printer to be recognized was by moving Computer A onto the Wifi, and then setting up printing over a new Local Port with \\hostname\computername. I also had to add all users into Computer A' s user list.
Even when on the same subnet, the printer could not be found at all using the usual Browse method, even though I could ping the host.
- using the IP instead of hostname
- turned off all firewall settings in the wifi router
I CAN ping across subnets, from 192.168.10.0 to addresses on 192.168.1.0. But I CAN'T access any services across subnets -- not file sharing, database, nothing. Could this be something in the Wifi router? No services are blocked and the firewall features are turned off.
The only way I can get the printer to be recognized was by moving Computer A onto the Wifi, and then setting up printing over a new Local Port with \\hostname\computername. I also had to add all users into Computer A' s user list.
Even when on the same subnet, the printer could not be found at all using the usual Browse method, even though I could ping the host.
You would have to go through the WiFi router settings and perhaps try a different router to see if that is the trouble spot. It is difficult to say precisely, but I think it might be. N Routers are hardly the most stable reliable routers around.
A more reliable solution would be to employ a printer server for the printer. Then that isolates the printer from the machine it was attached to. I use print servers at clients most everywhere - separate servers for older printers and built-in print servers for newer printers.
Also, you said the Windows 7 machine is on a hub. Do you mean "hub" ? If so, consider using a switch in its place. Also, can you keep printing on the same subnet as this will also simplify things.
... Thinkpads_User
A more reliable solution would be to employ a printer server for the printer. Then that isolates the printer from the machine it was attached to. I use print servers at clients most everywhere - separate servers for older printers and built-in print servers for newer printers.
Also, you said the Windows 7 machine is on a hub. Do you mean "hub" ? If so, consider using a switch in its place. Also, can you keep printing on the same subnet as this will also simplify things.
... Thinkpads_User
Two possible solutions (1) disable dhcp on the cisco router and allow the hub to handle dhcp (2) on the hub change the netmask to 255.255.0.0
ASKER
The "hub" in question is really just a dumb 5-port Linksys switch -- one of those cheap plastic purple and black jobs. There are no management tools for it and I'm certain it's not doing DHCP.
I bought an Ethernet card for $20 and I'll install it next week. That should settle the matter.
Thanks to all.
I bought an Ethernet card for $20 and I'll install it next week. That should settle the matter.
Thanks to all.
For what it is worth, I used to use those cheap Linksys switches and they were no end of trouble after about a year's use. Consider a higher quality switch for that. And please let us know about the new NIC and if it helps. ... Thinkpads_User
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1. Firewall settings: Do you have a firewall in the way? Check all firewalls on all PC's.
2, Name resolution: Can you recognize the printer if you give it the IP address of Computer A? That would point to DNS resolution.
According to the above post it was working with Windows 7 with a different router. So apparently file and print sharing is set properly.
And then finally, yes, you may need to consider different NIC's or hardware. Also consider a firmware upgrade for the WiFi router. ... Thinkpads_User