Add wired lan to permit access to network capable printer

[dierk]

New to board. Have searched for solution to what I thought would be a fairly common situation, but have found nothing specific thus far:
1) Home based lan, with both wired and wireless systems (including 1 wired network printer). All working OK.
2) Home Office - "remote" from the Cable Modem & Router - has 2 desktop systems, wirelessly connected to balance of network.
3) We wish to add a Network Printer to the office (specifically a Network-ready Brother MFC-8660 with Print, Scan, Fax & Copy functions).
Thought is to try to set up a new WIRED lan consisting of the 2 desktop machines + the MFC, WHILE RETAINING the existing Wireless connections (which provide Internet Access).
Have a couple of old 4-port hubs available for use, as well as an (also unused) D-Link 524 Router (which would presumably be used with the Radio turned Off...).
This secondary (wired) lan would exist solely to permit each of the office desktops to fully access the MFC.

Any thoughts on whether or not such an arrangement would / should work?
Advice as how to go about the setup? As simple as merely assigning distinct IP addresses to each lan? Likely Glitches to watch out for?

(Both systems are running Win XP SP2, and currently have ethernet cards installed and available. One uses a PCI Wireless adapter, and the other an USB adaptor.)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[YeOldeStonecat]

It can work...Windows will work with multiple connections...however...can slow things down such as bootup, and network browsing if you access shares.

Why not keep things simple..and link a switch to your existing router to add the 2x new workstations and MFC? (hubs are pretty much old...considered extinct..use a switch instead)

[dierk]

It can work...

Why not keep things simple..and link a switch to your existing router to add the 2x new workstations and MFC? (hubs are pretty much old...considered extinct..use a switch instead)

-> Thanks for reply!

Am seeking to avoid having to buy any new hardware - OR run cat5 cable from existing router to "office" where desktops are. Existing router is also down to only 1 free port: a Switch would presumably work around that problem, but not the Keep Cost Down & Avoid Wires issues.

Another option would be to buy a wireless print server - see DLink now has one that claims to support networked Scanning as well as printing - but was hoping to work with hardware on hand.

Have found a couple of posts about running 2 NIC cards / 2 Networks, and will try to follow suggestions offered to see whether we can make it work. Alas, the Brother does not support the "Connect Parallel Port & USB Port AT SAME TIME" that the HP did - but since the HP never worked worth a darn it didn't really matter which connections it would support....

Thanks again for suggestion -

[TonyT]

Just connect the MFC directly to one of the office wifi computers via usb or parl and share it.

[YeOldeStonecat]

-> Thanks for reply!

Am seeking to avoid having to buy any new hardware - OR run cat5 cable from existing router to "office" where desktops are. Existing router is also down to only 1 free port: a Switch would presumably work around that problem, but not the Keep Cost Down & Avoid Wires issues.

If I understand your goal....the solution I have is indeed keeping the new equipment and costs down. You don't need extra NICs...and you could keep your existing hub (although new 5 ports switches these days can be had at under 40 bucks for decent ones). And you don't need another wireless router.

Wireless print servers....I flat out refuse to install/support them...I don't care what brand they are. Nothing but headaches...my cell phone would ring off the hook if I was installing them. I've done a few...too unreliable. IMO...print servers should be wired..and on static IP addresses. Windows doesn't like printers moving around.

[dierk]

Dug old hub out of storage & connected two desktops and the MFC to it. Loaded MFC software on one (my...) system and things more-or-less worked.
Gone all evening, and upon returning home discovered no more internet connection: strong signal to router, can ping router, but that's it. MY machine only of course: all others connect fine. Will try to play with it a bit more tomorrow & post results / further ??s. Thanks again for advice....

[dierk]

Assigned Static IP to MFC and to PCI ethernet card - using Brothers Default IP as starting point. Have nominal access to MFC (across wired lan) AND to Internet (Across Wireless lan).
Still some "communication issues" between MFC, Brother Control App, and Paperport, but presumably will be able to work those out in time... and not a Network Issue anyway.
Thanks again: has been a hectic couple of days, but if I think of anything else USEFUL will post info....