Some kind of access point?

Cd1986

Cd1986

Cd1986

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8 Feb 2012
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120
Since installing Windows 8, i am having terrible problems with my HP designjet printer when connected via USB. Long story short, it works fine if i plug it into my BT homehub with a network cable. However, the Homehub is at the other side of the house so i have to trail a network cable right through the house to use the printer.

Can i buy some kind of network switch that has wireless functionality so i can connect it to the homehub via wifi and then plug the printer into the switch? Does this kind of thing exist?

I also thought about using powerline adapters and a network hub of some description. Can powerline adapters be used in a 4 way extension?

It would be goot to stop using wifi on the PC as well so maybe there is a combined solution?
 
I'd look at the Homeplug option.

They can work with an extension lead, but you'll usually loose some bandwidth. If you're that short of sockets you could get Homeplugs with 'AC pass through' that include a mains socket on the front.

You'd then need to connect a network switch to increase the number of network ports. You can get Homplugs with more than one network port but they're expensive.

Another option is to try a wireless print server. Do HP list one as an optional accessory?
 
homeplug would usually be an option, if it is only the printer you are concerned about then hp do sell a usb wireless print server that will almost certainly support your printer model.
 
Sounds like that would be the best option. So one powerline adapter at the router and then the other in the office and connect that one straight into a switch. Then plug the printer and the pc into the network switch?

it's annoying as the house is only a couple of years old but it was already built when we bought it. I would have requested Ethernet ports in all of the rooms if i could have.

If i got a plug with an AC pass though, could i plug that into the wall then a 4 way extension into that to avoid loosing the bandwidth?
 
You can yes, although you'll need to ensure that there is no gateway set on the interface (just an IP and subnet mask) and then statically set an IP and mask on the printer

- GP
 
Cd1986 said:
Actually, can I simply plug a switch into the Ethernet port on my motherboard, then plug the printer into the switch?
Click to expand...

If you only need it for the one PC you wouldn't even need a switch. A direct network connection and static IPs should be all you need. You might need a crossover cable, but most PCs now support Auto-MDIX.
 
Even better. I tried plugging the standard ethernet cable in but the printer didn't display an IP address. Might need a crossover cable then. Is windows 8 that was built 2 weeks ago so i would have thought it would be supported. Maybe I need to manually assign an ip
 
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