Add WiFi to Printer

[werdnarolyat]

Hi All,

I am trying to determine the best way to enable printing over WiFi. Research so far has revealed I could:
[ul]
[li]Replace my router with a router + print server combination - [/li][li]Buy a print server and connect to printer via USB[/li][li]Make a print server using a Raspberry Pi (most fun option)[/li][li]Replace my printer with one which has WiFi (if it proves to be more cost effective)[/li][/ul]
Has anyone had any experience of doing this?

I have 2 USB connections so would leave one hardwired to my PC and use the WiFi to print from laptops. Does a hardwired connection still work after adding WiFi?

Thanks.

[veeg]

Hello

Hopefully some of our members will chime in soon..

@Rustys @phillpower2 @Samuria

[Bruce]

what is the make/model of the current printer?
what is the current locations of your PC, that printer and the modem/router in reference to each other?

if budget is not an issue, simply get a wifi capable printer.
or to keep costs at zero, USB connect the printer to your PC and enable File & Printer Sharing and share the printer out over the network as a shared resource.

[werdnarolyat]

Thanks for your response.

The printer is an Epson SX415.

The printer, PC and modem/router are all connected in the same room. We tend to work on the laptops from other rooms so being to print via wireless would be quite convenient to avoid having to transfer files to the PC for printing.

I assume that the zero cost solution you suggested require that the PC is switched on for File & Printer sharing to work?

Are the print server solutions not viable or just less practical?

[plodr]

I have an old (think 9x days) print server connected to the parallel port of my printer and then to a port on my router. It works well because 3 netbooks (2 with Windows, 1 with linux) and even a desktop in the basement can print to this printer. If it dies, I’m not sure I want to replace it with a USB print server. The last time I looked, people kept saying they lost printer connection (I guess the USB goes to sleep).

The printer wired to my husband’s basement computer stopped working. I ended up buying a wireless AIO unit. The advantage to this is that the computer doesn’t have to be on to print. We only have to be sure the printer is on and the wireless is up.
If you enable file and print sharing (zero cost), you have to be sure that the computer the printer is connected to is powered up.

Just a few more things when you are weighing the best solution for your situation.

[werdnarolyat]

Thanks for the response plodr.

I think in the short term I might go with the option of enabling file and print sharing and ensure the PC is switched on. In the medium term I’ll play around with a spare Raspberry Pi Zero to see how it works as a wireless print server; I found a few example projects where people have done this. In the long term, I’ll consider getting a new printer!

Thanks for all the advice.

[Bruce]

that all sounds like a very logical approach to the problem.
good luck but if you get stuck along the way, you have a forum full of members to help you.

[werdnarolyat]

Many thanks Bruce. I’ve got a couple of other things I might need some support with so I’ll be back soon!

[plodr]

Please post how the Raspberry Pi works as a print server. No hurry. I know we all have projects and life gets in the way so they get pushed to the back burner.

[werdnarolyat]

Will do; I plan to follow a guide I found online so can’t take credit for anything. I’ll post to let you know I get on.

[veeg]

Any updates for us?

[werdnarolyat]

Hi vger, sorry I’ve not gotten round to trying this yet.

Would it be better if I started a new thread once I’ve tried it out?

[veeg]

Hi vger, sorry I’ve not gotten round to trying this yet. Thanks for the update.

Would it be better if I started a new thread once I’ve tried it out?

I don't think that would be necessary.  Just keep us updated... ;)

[veeg]

Just checking in on your progress..

[werdnarolyat]

Sorry, still not got round to trying this out yet.