small office network

[leepearson1]

hi

just wanted a little help really, nit education related but i guess someone will be able to help.

a friend has a large barn which he is running the business from, the barn is on two floors and the router is kn the bottom floor, which 1 pc and hes then got a switch upstairs connected via rj45. with 1 pc and laptop, but he has no wireless access up there and wants to be able to use wireless and share a printer?

whats the easiest solution? would be be to get a router with a print server built in. and just swap that for the switch? or would an access point be better?

any help would be great thanks

[andydis]

Get a wireless access point and plug it into the switch, would be cheaper.
If the wireless is low in signal in another part of the barn you can buy a wireless repeater that will not need plugging in via rj45.
Most new printers are also wireless now aswell for easy sharing, if you already have a printer you can share it Via windows networking

hope this helps.

[leepearson1]

thanks, but if its shared via windows then the pc has to be on all the time and he doesnt want that? if that makes sense?

[andydis]

Yes ok i understand that, does the printer have a Rj45 port in the back of it?
I dont really recommend "print servers" as i always find them to be problematic ( someone can correct me if i am wrong as i havnt used one in years), may i suggest a new wireless printer? or network printer?

[Michael]

Easiest solution is to connect a WAP (Wireless Access Point) into the switch. This will provide wireless availability.

As for the printer, buy a printer with a network port built in and connect it directly into the switch. Most business printers or photocopiers do these days. Configure a static IP on the printer, then install the printer manually on the computer and the wireless notebook.

No computer needs to be left on, only the switch and the printer itself.