Saring a MFD across isolated networks

Sitt · 31 Oct 2007 at 11:09

Here's a little problem for the network gurus amongst you.
We have a client looking at installing a high volume MFD on her network, that was the easy part btw.
The client is a solicitor/barristor and shares office space with two other solictors. They have now decided that they want to share the new MFD -now, this is the hard part. Each solictor has their own network which consists of 2 workstations (the secretarys and the solicitors) connected via a router each.
They need to keep their networks totally isolated from each other as it would be a conflict of interest should they be able to access each others files as as in the case now, two of the solictors are opposing each other in a case, so it's very important that the networks are totally isolated from each other.
They don't share an internet connection btw, each network has its own connection.
What would be the best way for them to share the printer? I'm thinking install an extra network card in each machine connected via a fourth router which in turn connects to the multi functional device.
Would that work and is this the best way to share the printer?

ns400r · 31 Oct 2007 at 11:56

Would have thought a second printer will be the best plan if information is that important. Nothing stopping one side reading the others printouts as they sit in one room on the printer tray waiting to be collected.

Sitt · 31 Oct 2007 at 12:15

No, they won't be able to read each others work as important work would be sent to the hard drive on the MFD which means that the machine won't print the file unless a 4 digit code is entered on the MFD. This is a feature on most MFD's called "Confidential Print" believe it or not.
We are also trying to get away from indivdual desktop printers as the running costs on small desktop printers when printing high volume can be very expensive whereas printing to one high volume MFD can be done for a fraction of the cost.

#Chri5# · 31 Oct 2007 at 13:48

Does the MFD support VLANs?

csmager · 31 Oct 2007 at 18:38

Ideally, you want the MFD to have two ethernet ports. Or one ethernet, one wireless.

Or some sort of switch/router that supports VLANs would do the trick.

#Chri5# · 1 Nov 2007 at 09:05

Now there's a thought...

Does the MFD have a parallel or USB port as well as Ethernet?

If so, use the built-in Ethernet for one company, then get a USB or Parallel network print server for the other. No need to merge networks at all. Sorted.