Author Topic: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?  (Read 1090 times)

Offline davey

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How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« on: July 27, 2012, 02:24:57 PM »
I have an old Laserjet 6mp printer and two desktop computers. The HP has two parallel ports (I guess) which sort of work with both computers, but I'd like to just have one cable going to the printer and print through a network. Internet is on the wired network for both machines now, but there's no access to anything else through the network. I've found some how-tos online, but they seem to all talk about other Linux OSes, like this one: http://linuxers.org/howto/how-setup-home-network-internet-sharing-linux-ubuntufedora-using-network-manager . The main problem is that I can't find anything like the "Network Connections" window they talk about. Network Manager isn't similar enough to follow to tutorials. So first, where would I find a similar app on PCLOS, and second, can anyone point to a good how-to guide to setting up a simple network with a printer? I don't care about accessing the other computer over the network, I just want both machines to use the printer.

Offline Just17

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Re: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2012, 02:31:43 PM »
Quote
Internet is on the wired network for both machines now, but there's no access to anything else through the network.

What are the PCs plugged into? .....  a router?

If so what is the router make & model number?
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Offline davey

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Re: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2012, 05:38:50 PM »
Belkin router f5d7234-4 v5

Offline Just17

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Re: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2012, 05:47:45 PM »
You can set up the printer in one PC ensuring it is working correctly etc, and select that printer to share on the LAN.

When done you should be able to find a 'network printer' on the other machine.

Regarding sharing files etc across the LAN there are several ways to do it.
Some will depend on what OS is running on the connected PCs.

So instance if you use Windows you will likely use SAMBA .......  there are threads about how to do this on the forum.

If both PCs run Linux then you have more choice .......  SAMBA, NFS, FISH etc   ...

Both printer setup and networking shares are set up through PCLOS Control Centre (Configure your computer).

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Offline davey

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Re: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2012, 01:45:59 PM »
Thanks Just18. So I can just use the setup that already shares the Internet connection? I don't hve to set up SAMBA, etc.?

If so, how do I select the printer to share on the LAN? Both machines are running PCLOS. And where would I find the "network printer" on the other machine?

Offline Just17

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Re: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2012, 02:02:07 PM »
Thanks Just18. So I can just use the setup that already shares the Internet connection? I don't hve to set up SAMBA, etc.?

If both computers are plugged into the router, and have 'similar' IP addresses --- like 192.168.1.3 & 192.168.1.5 or such numbers -- the the shared printer should be available to the second PC on the network.

Quote
If so, how do I select the printer to share on the LAN? Both machines are running PCLOS. And where would I find the "network printer" on the other machine?

You install the printer on the machine to which it is attached.
There should be an option to make the printer available to other PCs on the network/LAN.
You enable that.

Then on the second PC you do a printer set up and search for Network Attached printers, find it and install it.

That is how I recall it ......  but it has been some time so I can only comment in a general fashion. I have no printer attached presently.

The printer set up is available through

PCC (Configure your computer) - Hardware - Set up printers


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Offline wedgetail

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Re: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2012, 08:36:23 AM »
davey

Well Just17 has written it all so you should be humming along already. I can perhaps shed a bit of light on the topic as well.  We assume your two PClinuxOS computers are already cable wired to your router and work fine on the internet.  

What OS you are using KDE32 or KDE32-mini or ? .

Edit:

A couple of words that I picked up in Meemaw's post had me scratching my head an re-view my understanding of sharing printers.  I am re-writing this post completely as my first attempt was not accurate enough.  In the following both pc1 and pc2 runs KDE32.

1..  Connecting an hp psc 1200 series usb printer on pc 1. Working with the CUPS web interface, http://localhost:631 and this showed Autodetected by CUPS which also does some filling in of the fields needed, making it an easy install.  During this it is important to tick the square for sharing this printer.

2.. When install finished on pc1 make a test print via kwrite of::   /usr/share/printer-testpages/testpage.asc which is a simple text file found  KDE32

3.. Moving to pc2 also running KDE32,  using http://localhost:631 and clicking on printers there is my hp psc 1200 series printer  (on pc1). I can go directly to kwrite and print above file.  No printer setting up required on pc2.

I am just describing how it works on my two systems. pc2 works on a WiFi segment to my internet router which cable connects to a switch.  From the switch there is a cable connection to another hp laserjet 2300n printer and pc1.  The laserjet has its own IP.  ;D  

« Last Edit: September 11, 2012, 08:22:07 AM by wedgetail »
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Offline Meemaw

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Re: How do I network a printer and 2 computers?
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2012, 09:43:07 AM »
Thanks Just18. So I can just use the setup that already shares the Internet connection? I don't hve to set up SAMBA, etc.?

If both computers are plugged into the router, and have 'similar' IP addresses --- like 192.168.1.3 & 192.168.1.5 or such numbers -- the the shared printer should be available to the second PC on the network.

Quote
If so, how do I select the printer to share on the LAN? Both machines are running PCLOS. And where would I find the "network printer" on the other machine?

You install the printer on the machine to which it is attached.
There should be an option to make the printer available to other PCs on the network/LAN.
You enable that.

Then on the second PC you do a printer set up and search for Network Attached printers, find it and install it.

That is how I recall it ......  but it has been some time so I can only comment in a general fashion. I have no printer attached presently.

The printer set up is available through

PCC (Configure your computer) - Hardware - Set up printers

Just17 has posted everything you need...   but it might be worth mentioning that you make sure the printer programs package (task-printing or whatever it's called) is installed to the printer-less computer.

I did this as well since I have a desktop with printer and laptop without ... I configured my printer on my desktop to share with other PC's on the network, then went to my laptop and chose Network Attached Printers and it was already there....  mine works great!

I'm sure yours will too.    ;D ;D ;D
Meemaw
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