Wireless Bridge vs Print Server

I just bought a network capable printer (10/100). I have a wireless network with a wrt54g. I want to connect the printer wirelessly in a distant room from the router. I have an extra wrt54g that I could use if possible to make the connection.
Should I get a WET54G wireless bridge and connect the printer through it, or should I just get a WPS54G wireless print server and connect the printer to the network with that?
What's the difference between the bridge and the print server, other than the USB port on the back of the print server? Is there any distinct advantage of one over the other?
Thanks!

Thanks gv. This is great!
I looked into the Hyperwrt-thibor. I found information that leaves me slightly confused. I must assume from the table below that "wrt_a" would be the "router" and "wrt_b" would be the "bridge/router". Correct? I gathered this from the IP address...
Basic WET Setup
                                                  WRT_A              WRT_B
Basic Settings
Internet Connection Type         DHCP                  Disabled
Router IP                                   192.168.1.1       192.168.2.1
DHCP Server                             Enabled              Disabled
Basic Wireless Settings
Wireless Mode                           Access Point       WET
Again, thanks much. It's great to learn something new. It's times like this that I realize just how little I know....

Similar Messages

OSX and wireless (third party) print server problems - 'host is busy' again

The setup:
MBP running OSX 10.5.2
Zyxel NSA-220 (with latest firmware) hardwired to a Lynksys wireless router (running Tomato firmware)
Canon PIXMA iP4500 with CUPS+Gutenprint v5.1.7 drivers
I'm trying to set up the NSA as a print server. I can ping the NSA, it shows up fine in finder and I can access the shares on the discs - all wirelessly.
However the Canon setup program can't locate the printer when it tries to align the print heads, so I tried using Print & Fax to set up IP printing, with LPD as protocol and the IP address of the NSA, selecting CUPS drivers rather than the Canon ones.
The issue comes when I try to print and get locked in a 'Network host x.x.x.x is busy' cycle that never ends. I switched from M$ about 12 months and think I'm reasonably computer literate but feel like a mac newbie when problems like this hit. Grateful for any advice.

I helped another postee with a SimpleShare NAS. Reading the user documentation for the device, it showed the Windows connections using smb, ie you simply browse to the device via Network Neighborhood, double-click then select the printer name.
To use smb on the Mac, you select Windows Printing when you add the printer, then browse to the workgroup, then the Zyxel computer name and then the printer share name. Note that if the printer share name has spaces and too many characters, it can cause problems so keep the name short, such as iP4500, and don't have any spaces.
With regards to the current use of LPD as the protocol, this will be the cause of the network busy error as the device probably doesn't support UNIX print services (which btw is what you need to enable on Windows Server if you were to connect the same way).
One final note. The recent Security Update 2008-002 stopped some users from connecting to their current Windows share. One workaround has been to add the user account information into the queue name. This can be done by modifying the view for the Print & Fax Add Printer dialog box, so that the Advanced Printing option appears. Control-click on the icon bar in the Add Printer dialog box and then select Customize then Advanced. Within this selection will be the option to use Windows Printing via SAMBA. This lets you add the printer with all the necessary info, such as the example following.
smb://NSAusername:password@NSA_IPAddress/iP4500
Once you have entered the queue name, you can then browse to the Canon Gutenprint v5.1.7 iP4500 driver.
HTH
PaHu

HP Director software won't work since I installed Linksys Wireless Print Server

I have an HP 5510 Office Jet all in one. It comes with bundled software called HP Director that enables scanning, printing, and faxing. The software worked fine while I had the printer connected to my pc with a USB cable.
To give myself flexibility I installed a WPSM54G Linksys Wireless G Printserver. There is no direct connection between my printer and pc anymore.
Printing still works fine. This is being handled by the Linksys software.
The HP Director no longer can find the printer. When I try to scan (for example) using HP Director, I get a message that "an error occurred communicating with the printing device...". It presumably is looking for a direct USB connection, and not finding one.
I can't find a fix on the HP site, but I imagine there must be one. Wireless print servers have been around for quite a while. Is there a download that will solve this problem?
Thanks for your help.

kts0347 wrote:
...My printer interfaces wirelessly through my print server. So, HP Director doesn't see the printer, and fails to run the tasks it is offered for - scanning, photos, faxes....
Exactly my point. These services: scanning, photos and faxes will never work through a print server.
Say thanks by clicking "Kudos" "thumbs up" in the post that helped you.
I am employed by HP

Vista-64 and Linksys Wireless Print Server to cp1215

I have Vista-64 OS
I have a HP CP1215 Color Laserjet USB attached to a Wireless Linksys Print Server (WPSM54G).
HP website shows 2 different drivers for this printer for Vista-64:
1. Print Driver Package
2. PNP Print Driver Package
My question is, which should I be installing? The Printer is USB attached to the Print Server, but I'm printing wirelessly to the print server. So, not sure which of the two is the correct one to install.

It is probably a driver issue.
It may work with a third-party driver such as the HPIJS drivers or the Gimp-Print drivers, but this is not the case with all printers.
Though for 10.3, this guide may also help.
Printing to a network ethernet printer (which has an IP address) from a Mac running OS 10.3.x
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3005.html
iFelix

Mac Printing with a printer server and Windows XP desktop

I have the following configuration:
Dell Desktop running XP
Apple iBook G4 running 10.4
Linksys Router
Linksys Print Server
I can't get my iBook to print through the print server. I have tried IP Printing and provided the printer server IP Address and correct printer driver "HP LaserJet 1012 Foomatic/hpijs (which I think is now part of 10.4). When I try to print I get the following message, "Printer Busy; will retry in 10 sec. I have also had Connecting to 192.168.1.78 on port 630... and nothing happens.
Any suggestions? I am at wits end because nothing is working. I know that my wireless router and print server are working because I ping'd them from the PC.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

On windows, the setup software fills in required info like print server queue name - but we don't have that software on the Mac.
Look in the print server manual and check the supported protocols - LPD and IPP require a queue name which you can find in the manual. HP Jetdirect protocol doesn't need a queue name, and is called TCP/IP raw or socket 9100 printing in some manuals.
Good luck.

Usb print server maybe wireless

We have two windows computers with attached printers. With our MBP we tried sharing either the canon Pixma mp830 or the HP PSC 700 but the results were I used windows printing with a "closest" match driver which seemed kind of goofy. I am thinking of adding a print server to the network so we dont have to have a pc on to print. Does it really matter what brand I get (of course I will get something like hp etc) to work with the apple, I am hoping with the print server that I can get more features of the printers than using windows printing?
Kihei

Beberas,
I'm not sure why you would have problems with that particular print server, being unfamiliar with it.
But, I can tell you about the Airport Express
Your profile mentions you have a G5 tower (do you also have a Macbook Pro, and that's why you are posting here??). If there is already an Airport card installed in it, you will not need another. If you have a Macbook Pro, it already has an Airport card.
The Airport Express would allow both wired and wireless printing, and it will do so seamlessly. As far as the AE is concerned, there will be no need for drivers, but you will need drivers for the various printers that are connected (I'll talk more about that).
Whether you want wireless connections, wired, or a mix of both makes no difference. If you want to go exclusively wireless, your Macbook Pro is ready, but your tower may not be. If you need an Airport card, it would be for the tower. The AE will either join an existing wireless network, or connect directly to the router via ethernet; your choice. If it is connected via ethernet, it could serve as a wireless "bridge" to the wired network, if you like (I am also unfamiliar with your router, and whether or not it is wireless).
Now, let's talk about printers and drivers. You should already have drivers for most popular printers installed with OS X. If the drivers for all your printers are present, any connected printers will be automatically recognized via Bonjour, and they will show up in your list of printers.
If you don't have the drivers for one or more printers, all is not necessarily lost. You might be able to find OS X native drivers on the manufacturer's website. If not, it is likely that OS X native drivers for a similar printer from the same manufacturer will work, but perhaps without all of the printer's features. I have a laser Samsung laser printer that works this way, and it works flawlessly (I had to find an appropriate, but not "dedicated," driver on the Samsung website).
Even if no appropriate OS X native driver exists, it still might be possible to use the printer. You see, OS X uses "CUPS," the Common UNIX Printing System. Using CUPS, it is possible to print to almost any printer, provided you can find a "Printer Description File" for that printer. That's all CUPS needs, in most cases, to print to that device. Again, all features might not be available, but CUPS can turn an otherwise useless printer into an asset.
In general, if you can print to something that is connected directly to your Mac, you can print to it through an Airport Express.
Scott

HP webservices tab not available when using HP Jetdirect 2700w wireless print server

I recently bought HP Laserjet Enterprise 500 m551 dn color laser printer with HP jetdirect 2700w wireless print server ( one day old at this time).
I was able to configure the device and enable/ use eprint services using the embedded server with a wired connection.
However when I attach a the mentioned wireless print server, the "Webservices" tab disappears from the configuration website, the printer reports that the eprint services are not enabled and ofcourse hp eprint or google cloud print do not work. The printer appears offline at eprintcenter. Everything else works fine.
On the product website for the wireless server, it clearly states that this is compatible with eprint services.
What am I doing wrong.
Arjun
HP Laserjet Enterprise 500 m551 dn color laser
HP Jetdirect 2700 w wireless print server
Win 7 Ultimate x 64
Netgear WNDR 4500

This seems to be a commercial product. For the best chance at finding a solution I would suggest posting in the forum for HP Business Support!
You can find the Commercial Jetdirect board here:
http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Print-Servers-Network-Storage/bd-p/bsc-254
Best of Luck!
You can say thanks by clicking the Kudos Star in my post. If my post resolves your problem, please mark it as Accepted Solution so others can benefit too.

Resolution - Printing HP LaserJet & Linksys Wireless Print Server WPS54GU2

Hello Guys:
After trying to figure out for 10 days and calling HP, Applet and Linksys support, i finally am able to print to my printer.
I have iMac running Tiger 10.4.8. I have a HP LaserJet 1012 Printer connected in a USB Port to the Wireless Print Server WPS54GU2. This is what I did to get it working.
First install the following drivers:
1) Go to http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/hpijs/ and download hpijs-foomatic-2.0.2.ppc.dmg and espgs-7.07.1.ppc.dmg file. Install hpijs first and espgs second.
2) After that Go to Server Preferences, Double click on Print/Fax.
3) Click on the "+" sign, select Line Printer Daemon - LPD
4) In the Address field, enter the IP address of your print server.
5) In the Queue name (This is very important). I used L2 for USB. You can try P1, L1 as well. Not sure how you have connected to the print server. For me L2 worked. I had tried using L1 and P1 and it didn't work for me.
6) The Name field should automatically be populated.
7) In the Print Using, select HP and then select "HP LaserJet 1012 Foomatic/hpijs" as the printer or whatever driver you have for your printer.
8) Click on Add
And now open up text edit or something and you should be able to print.
let me know if there are any questions.

Try Repairing permissions (Disk Utility). Then restart, then add again.
What do you mean by the printer doesn't show up - the driver (print using:)?
You can try the generic HP Photosmart P1100 Gimp-Print driver that comes in OS X.

Airport Express questions on wireless print serving

I have a wireless network setup using a linksys router and thinking about using an Airport Express as a wireless print server in another room. I currently have a Canon MP500, 2 wired PCs connected to the router and 2 wireless laptops one Windows and an iBook. Would the Airport Express connect to my existing wireless network to act as a wireless print server for my network?
Thank you
PCs running Windows XP Pro and iBook is running OS X Tiger

Hi, does anyone know how to change the port setting on Windows XP Pro. I recently purchased an Airport extreme and the network is working great, however when I tried to set up the printer the documentation left some key peices of information out.
I had followed the step for installing a printer, but when I got to the point about specifing the adapter type, the documentation in the manual that came with the Airport skipped over that part. I guessed at the adapter and unfortunatly (and obviously after reading the instructions here http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1008.html) I chose the wrong adapter. Now I want to go back and fix it but I can't figure out how. When I tried to run the add printer wizard again and the port setting wizard it said the port (IP_10.0.1.1) was alread in use and kicked me out of the wizard.
How do I change the settings on the port to the correct settings?
Thanks
Dell laptop Windows XP Pro

Sharing Linksys Wireless Print Server with MAC and PC - How to do?

I have lost the capability to share a printer on my network by using the Linksys Wireless Print Server-model number WPS54G -V2. Prior to having to return my previous Print Server on an RMA, I was able to use the MAC and PCs on my network. I have a PowerGook G4 with MacOS X 10.4.10. I also have a Airport Extreme Base Station V5.6. The printer on the network that is being shared is an Epson Stylus Photo 820. Recently, when trying to reconfigure the network, I updated the software on the Airport Extreme...so I think after that, I am no longer able to share this printer using current network configuration. As information, I will share how I got the network to share the printer BEFORE I had to replace the previous Print Server and BEFORE I updated the Airport Extreme. Please see this link:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20050406151311940
Even though this was for a different type of Print Server, this worked for me.
When reconfiguring the new Print Server, I contacted Linksys...as had some difficulty until I found out how to assign a static IP to the new Print Server. When trying to talk to them about the Mac issue, and sharing the printer, they shared this link with me...which may be helpful to some, but I found that this does not work for me...
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20060404021600193
I have been trying to work through the issue, but feel I may now have some compatibility issues between the Airport Extreme and the Epson printer.
Further details are that I use 10.0.1.78 for the assigned IP address for the Print server. My router (which is the Airport address) is 10.0.1.1. I have tried IPP printing option, LPD printing option...and IPP printing at least returns a status on the Print Server as "printing" as opposed to "idle". I have checked the Print status on the Mac, and I have received two (2) different error messages as to why the print job failed. They are:
"the process "picwpstops" stopped unexpectedly with status 1"
and
"the process "rastertoprinter" stopped unexpectedly with status 1"
The latter happens when I follow the instructions on the second link I attached on this topic...with the only change being that I select IPP printing as opposed to LPD printing.
Anyone that has any insight into HOW to configure the mysterious settings for Mac OS printing so that it can be compatible with a Wireless Print Server, please feel free to comment. In the meantime, I am thinking that the links above could help some people...just not me at this point given my current configuration and versions of software/firmware and perhaps the printer I am using.
Greatly appreciate your consideration, and any suggestions to anyone that might understand what these error messages mean when checking the printer status after sending a file for printing.
Thank you

1. No, you don't have to make a bootable clone.
2. If you use the drive for a bootable backup, then you cannot use the drive for other types of storage unless you partition the drive and make more than one volume.
3. No, it will not try to boot the computer. You must designate the startup volume using Startup Disk preferences.
If you wish to use the drive on both a Mac and a PC, then either you make two partitions - one for Mac and the other for the PC or you must format the entire drive using FAT32 so the drive can be used for read//write by both operating systems. If you do this then you cannot use the drive for a bootable backup nor can you use it with Time Machine.
FAT32 is slower for read/write on the Mac than using Mac formatting.
Optimally, I would suggest you partition the drive into two volumes. One volume formatted for the Mac and the other formatted FAT32.
You can send files from a PC to a Mac and vice-versa using File Sharing. Select Mac Help from the Finder's Help menu and search for "file sharing" or "sharing" to find help articles. Also see,
Mac OS X 10.5 Help- Setting up a Mac computer to share files with Windows users
Mac OS X 10.5 Help- Setting up a Windows computer to share files with Mac users
Mac OS X 10.5 Help- Sharing with Windows computers

How to set up standalone wireless print server

I need step-by-step instructions on to set up a KonicaMinolta bizhub multifunction printer to print wirelessly from various Macs. In other words, it would not be hooked up to the internet or my wireless network. I understand this can be done with an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme. I tried it with a Linksys WPSM54G wireless print server without success. I'd like to try the AirPort Express, but so far haven't been able to get it to work.
How do I configure my AExp to operate as a print server? How should I have it connected when I do the configuration?
How do I find the print server's IP address?
When I plug in the AExp and connect it to the printer via USB, the AExp flashes amber and never turns green (and therefore never connects with the MacBook).
If I successfully set up the print server as a separate network, can I be connected to the printer and my wireless network at the same time? Or do I need to switch back and forth?
If I'm accessing the internet via Ethernet, can I simultaneously access the printer via AirPort?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

How do I configure my AExp to operate as a print server?
The AirPort Express Base Station (AX) or AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) can only operate as a "print" server if the printer is attached to its USB port. Ethernet printers would require their own print server service if connected by Ethernet to either router.
How should I have it connected when I do the configuration?
Neither router would need a WAN port connection as both can provide a stand-alone wireless network. For a USB printer, it would need to be connected to the respective router's USB port.
How do I find the print server's IP address?
This would be the AirPort's LAN IP address. The default is: 10.0.1.1
When I plug in the AExp and connect it to the printer via USB, the AExp flashes amber and never turns green (and therefore never connects with the MacBook).
The flashing amber indicates that the AX has configuration issue. If you temporarily connect your MacBook directly to the AX's Ethernet port, and then, run the AirPort Utility, you can find out what the issue(s) is(are).
If I successfully set up the print server as a separate network, can I be connected to the printer and my wireless network at the same time? Or do I need to switch back and forth?
No, you would have to switch wireless networks. One way around this, is to have the AX configured to "Join a wireless network." This mode was specifically designed to allow the AX to perform as a wireless client and simultaneously provide both print sharing and iTunes streaming to network clients.
If I'm accessing the internet via Ethernet, can I simultaneously access the printer via AirPort?
Potentially, but your computer and the printer will be on separate broadcast domains/subnets.

I have a HP 3055 all in one attached to a wireless print server. I got in working on one laptop Win7

I have a HPa 3055 all in one attached to a wireless print server that works with one Dell laptop that I upgraded from XP. But I can't get a New Toshiba Win7 to work wireless, but only with cable.

Do you have a wireless router? How is the print server configured with that?
On the Win7 machine, download and run this utility: http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Nav?h_pagetype=s-926&h_lang=en&h_client=s-h-e17-1&h_keyword=dg-NDU&ju...
What does it say?
Say thanks by clicking "Kudos" "thumbs up" in the post that helped you.
I am employed by HP

HP Wireless G Print Server not detected during installation

I have HP2101 wireless g print server to connect to my HP officejet 6210 and I have an HP computer using windows 7. when i put the dvd into computer, follow install instructions, it tells me to connect print server to the computer and wait for the pc to find it, nothing happens, it is not detected. the power cord is in, the mini usb is connected to pc and print server and thre is a green steady light on the power icon, but it does not detect. Help!

To the TOP!

Connecting printer through wireless Print Server

Wireless Dlink DPR-1260, hooked up to network. ( using Linksys wireless router and Windows XP Home)
Two usb printer ports. Loaded HP laserjet 2300 series using the print server software wizard.. works fine...prints remotely.
The P.S. created the tcp/ip ports and loaded the drivers after requesting the HP driver disk.
But, when loading the HP color laserJet 2550 series, it asks for the disk, but says the driver inf files not available. I downloaded from the HP web site the XP drivers, and when I pointed to the unzipped files, said the same thing.
I used the XP driver... should I have used the Universal Print Driver?
On the P.S. screen the HP 2300 shows up as HP LaserJet 2300 series, and the LPR Queque name is : LaserJet 2300
But when I manually loaded the 2550, The name shows up as HP color LaserJet 2550 ser and the Queque name is color LaserJet 25.
Both printers work fine connected directly to the printer, but the 2550 will not print through the P.S.
Since the drivers for the 2550 are loaded and it prints when hard wired, tell me how to find the drivers installed on the computer, so I can point to them there.
Thanks

Printing with the built-in network protocols (Windows Printing, IP printing) requires a CUPS print driver. HP doesn't provide CUPS drivers (yet) - their drivers are written to only use USB. You can try the HP Photosmart P1100 Gimp-Print driver included in OS X.
There is no CUPS driver for your specific model, that I can find.

Printing via Belkin Wireless Print Server

I am trying to setup my my mac so that it will print via my belkin wireless print server. I have been able to do this for my windows pc's but not with my mac.
Other threads on this forum have been able to get it working with other printers but I can't seem to make it work.
I'm using a HP Deskjet 6540 on a 802.11g network. The printer is connected to a Belkin Wireless Print Server (F1UP0001). I print when connected via USB but not via wireless. I've installed the HP drivers and the GIMP drivers but that hasnt worked. When I go to install the printer I choose IP Printer and give the ip address of the print server.
Any help would be much appreciated, if you need more infomation just ask.
Thank You,
mholmau

Your printer is a non-postscript printer and requires a CUPS driver in order to use the network printing protocols which are part of the CUPS system in OS X. Except for Brother, no manufacturer of non-postscript printers is providing CUPS drivers. The printer model doesn't show up because the OS X driver only works for USB. Apple tried to get around this by including open source Gimp-Print (CUPS) drivers with OS X. But very few HPs are supported. You should try HP Deskjet 900 Series, Gimp-Print driver to see if it "might" work.
For PPC Macs, there is another open source driver set that supports most HPs, including yours:
http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/hpijs/
But, these aren't Universal binaries, so they don't work on Intel Macs. The source code is available, and I think it will readily compile on your Mac, but I don't have an Intel Mac to try that on.
Next issue - print server setup. We don't have auto-setup software, so we have to read the manual closely and decide which protocol to use. If it's IPP (=internet printing protocol, not IP printing) or LPR/LPD, you need to find the print server's queue name (sometimes called port name), and enter that in Add printer dialog near IP address.
There are other ways to do network printing. The Airport Express print server from Apple allows you to use the USB driver because it uses Airport-Bonjour software to redirect USB output, instead of using standard protocols.
Hope this helps.

Wireless Bridge vs Print Server

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