Seeking network improvement recommendations

15 years ago

While talking to a Dell tech about fixing my Dell laptop recently, he suggested I get a USB network adapter for my Dell desktop pc (Dimension 3000; XP; now 3.5 years old). The desktop is now wired to a QWEST DSL modem (GT701).

Let me try to outline how I got to the current scenario.

1. Purchased the desktop in late 2005. Had only dial-up back then. Printer wired to the desktop.

2. Upgraded to QWEST DSL a couple of years ago when it became available.

3. Purchased a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop (Vista)in August 2008, primarily for use upstairs in our home. Also got a TrendNet TEW-633 GR router. Laptop worked fine upstairs until recent problem; itÂs now back at Dell for repairs.

4. Even before the recent laptop problem, I suspect that my network was not optimally set up. The printer is still wired to the desktop. Since the Dell tech had me wire up the laptop when troubleshooting recently, some of the connections have changed and the pc is now wired directly to the modem. If I remember correctly, the router was wired to the modem; the pc was wired to the router; the printer was wired to the pc. When I get the laptop back and go to reestablish the network, I'd like to make sure I do it properly and optimally.

5. I would like to have the capability to print from my laptop if itÂs at all possible. Current printer is a Brother HL-5140 laser.

Here are some questions:

1. Should I get a USB wireless network adapter for the desktop pc? How will that improve things? If I do, should I also get a TrendNet adapter with capabilities similar to the TrendNet router (n; dual band)?

2. How should all the components be connected? What connects to what? The modem and router sit on top of the pc case and the printer is 3 ft. away, everything on a large desk downstairs. I donÂt envision having to move anything. For example, I donÂt need to move the printer to another more central location.

Suggestions/recommendations? TIA!

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Comments (10)

PKponder TX Z7B
15 years ago
Hi Seattlemike,
I looked at the specs for your printer and it appears to connect via USB or parellel to your desktop as a standard setup. It does have an optional network adapter/print server. Does the printer have this optional feature (does it have a port for the ethernet cable?). Are you currently having issues with the desktop staying online? I'm trying to ascertain why the tech wants you to go wireless when you have the router a few inches from the desktop. Ideally, you would connect the modem to the router, then the desktop to the router via ethernet cable, the laptop connects to the router via wireless and then there's the printer. If it has only USB or parellel connection, you will have to connect it to the desktop, then share it on the network to enable printing from the laptop (the desktop must be online and active for this to work). If it has the optional ethernet port/print server then it also can be connected to the router and given a static (assigned) IP address. In every case, you will need to connect the printer directly to the laptop in order to install the driver, then disconnect from the laptop and place the printer in it's permanent position.

After all of the physical connections are made, you'll need to syncronize the network. This entails powering off everything (usually requires electrical power to be disconnected, some items do have on/off switches) and bringing them online in a specific order. Starting with the modem, plug it into power and watch the lights until the 'online' light becomes stable. Next will be the router, plug it into electrical power and wait 2 minutes for the router to obtain it's IP address from the modem. Now turn on the printer and computers, order is not important here.

Everything should be online at this point. Please make sure that you utilize wireless security on the router to protect your network especially since you will have to enable file and printer sharing on the desktop in order to allow printing from the laptop, leaving your desktop wide open to intrusion. The router has several options, WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK. You will need to see which of those options that your laptop's wireless adapter utilizes.

I'm sure that I've missed something, please ask. Other helpers will also add pertinent details that I may have overlooked.

Pam
seattlemike
Original Author
15 years ago
Pam: Thanks for your feedback!

1. Physical conections. If I read your recommendations correctly, it appears that my setup was along the lines you state; at least, in terms of what is connected to what.

2. Wireless adapter for desktop. The Dell tech recommended it for much improved speed. I'm having no trouble with the cable now. No trouble staying online. And things seem to be fast enough for me. To use an analogy, if using an adapter would be like making my car go 110 mph instead of 100 mph, I don't think I need it. OTOH, if it would make it go 200 mph, I might think about it.

3. Printer. I'll have to poke around a bit before I can answer your questions.

Thanks again for your advice!
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PKponder TX Z7B
15 years ago
There is no way that a wireless connection would be faster than a 10/100 cable. He's probably just supposed to sell accessories âº
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
another option depending on what your printer is able to do in the way of connections might be to buy a little print server, you can google for them or go to newegg and search, they are not very expensive and it might help you out if I am understanding the issue correctly.
The Benefits of Print Servers

Here is a link that might be useful: examples
PKponder TX Z7B
15 years ago
RC,
There is an optional ethernet adapter/print server for his Brother printer. I believe he is checking to see if it's already installed.

Pam
seattlemike
Original Author
15 years ago
Pam and ravencajun: Thank you for your replies!

1. I'll not consider the wireless adapter for the desktop any further.

2. The printer manual mentions and shows a picture of the optional external print server. I do not have one. The printer is connected with a USB interface cable, not the parallel one. Should I consider getting a print server, or is there another way to hook up the printer so that I can print from the laptop?
seattlemike
Original Author
15 years ago
Looks like the optional print server has been discontinued and not in stock, at least at the 6-7 online vendors that I checked. Besides, when it was available, it ran about $180 or so. For a few more bucks, I could get a newer model with built-in networking capability. While that is certainly an option, I'd first like to explore any less costly alternatives.
PKponder TX Z7B
15 years ago
You'll have to enable File and Printer sharing for the printer (on the desktop) and make sure the desktop is always on in order to print from the laptop. Connect the printer physically to the laptop and install the drivers and be sure you can print something from the laptop first, then move the printer to the desktop. Now go into the Printers and Faxes folder (desktop) and right click the Brother, then left click on Sharing and select Share this Printer on Network. Make note of the share name that appears just below the selection.

Don't share the printer until your wireless network has security enabled, like I described above.

Also on the Desktop, right click on My Computer, left click on Properties and go into the Computer Name tab. Make note of what appears next to computer name. You are done on the desktop.

On the laptop go into the Printers and Faxes folder and click on Add Printer, follow the wizard and on page 2, select 'A Network Printer or printer attached to another computer'. On Page 3 of the wizard select 'Connect to this Printer and type in \\Computer Name (replace with what you noted in computer name on the desktop)\printer name (also noted earlier). Should look something like \\Dell\Brother, click next and wait for the printer to be found. Finish and print a test page.

Ravencajun did offer you a listing for affordable print server appliances, those work well too, but each will have a different setup, so instructions should be included if you choose that. The upside to that is that you plug the printer into the PSA and it connects to the router so you don't have to have the desktop on at the same time.

Pam
seattlemike
Original Author
15 years ago
A zillion thanks, Pam (raven, too)!

I'll save all of your advice and tackle this when the laptop comes back from Dell.
mikie_gw
15 years ago
If it accepts its own brand print server it most likely will work with a 50 dollar or less trendnet or other brands of print servers.

Wired print server is easier set up. Wireless print servers are avail too.

Thats a nice gigabit router,,, N wifi is faster than ethernet. But your internet connection, unless really fast, something over 10mb, changing from ethernet to wifi N isnt going to make your internet any faster.

Seeking network improvement recommendations

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