Sharing a printer... a dilemma

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kiwipeter

211 posts

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#273114 5-Aug-2020 08:40

Hi all,

I look after a small group of users who work in a small leased office at a University and have no choice but to join the locked-down Uni Wi-Fi network. They are unable to have their own subnet and are not allowed to assign local printers/share etc.

At the moment they have a large MFC device with an Aten US221A 2 Port USB 2.0 Peripheral Sharing Device that two users connect via. It works OK but is a bit cumbersome and throws a wobbler from time-to-time.

Complicating matters is a new employee starting soon.

The Brother MFC has Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB ports.

Any ideas on how this can be improved would be most welcome, especially given the extra person starting soon.

Thanks,

Peter.

timmmay

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#2534914 5-Aug-2020 08:48

Put in a switch and run cables to the printer? Connect the switch to a 4G modem for internet access?

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kiwipeter

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#2534923 5-Aug-2020 09:07

timmmay:

Put in a switch and run cables to the printer? Connect the switch to a 4G modem for internet access?

I have suggested that they sign-up for their own internet plan, get a 4G modem and get setup with their own Wi-Fi network... For some reason they haven't been keen, probably because they get the Uni internet cheap.

1101

3121 posts

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#2534945 5-Aug-2020 09:38

They arnt allowed a wifi connected printer ?
Sounds like they are treated like students , rather than someone paying for Office space .

Do they have Ethernet connections in their office ? If so a Network Switch & connect everything to that

I would be more concerned with their PC's connecting to a University wide shared wifi network (some assumptions here) .
How important is security for this Office ?

If they are leasing the Office, I would start by talking to UNI IT support to get something better setup .
Or talk to whoever leased the office to them for some better internet connection/setup .

kiwipeter

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#2534956 5-Aug-2020 10:00

The Uni IT team will not allow them to connect a printer to the network (wireless or wired). The office isn't patched in so no wall ports are available.

I have flagged my security concerns too but they weren't too concerned. I think they connect to a non-student SSID but this doesn't allow them any freedom to connect their own network printers etc.

I realise their options are very limited (hence the USB sharing box) but thought I'd ask anyway. They are a small non-profit, running on a shoe-string budget but as far as I can see, their only real option is a 4G modem and their own internet plan. They pay $100 a year for internet at the moment.

trig42

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#2534960 5-Aug-2020 10:03

In this case, maybe a new printer for the extra person is the answer? Depends how much printing they do I suppose.

CYaBro

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#2534977 5-Aug-2020 10:26

If all of their computers have ethernet ports why not get a switch and connect everything in their office to that and assign static IPs to them all including the printer, and they still connect to the Uni wifi for the internet?

Their computers will be smart enough to route the print jobs to the printer over the ethernet as long as it's on a different subnet to the wifi.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

kiwipeter

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#2535045 5-Aug-2020 12:27

CYaBro:

If all of their computers have ethernet ports why not get a switch and connect everything in their office to that and assign static IPs to them all including the printer, and they still connect to the Uni wifi for the internet?

Their computers will be smart enough to route the print jobs to the printer over the ethernet as long as it's on a different subnet to the wifi.

Thank you for your suggestions everyone. Much appreciated.

If they are unable/unwilling to get their own connection I will cable them up as per the above.

Cheers!