Originally Posted by annerj
Ok folks. I'm looking to setup a wireless network at home but have little idea what I need.
I have a Dell Latituede D600 with built in wireless
Dell 4500
HP LasterJet 1100
1.5Mps DSL via Qwest
I'd like to add some sort of 200g hard drive that is accessable from all computers. Same with the printer - I'd like to print from any computer.
What all do I need?
Thanks,
annerj
depending on what you want to do with the Network Storage, I would get a broadband router with a print server attached. These are either parallel or USB. I would get a USB one if your printer offers USB connectivity. Is that the DELL 1600 multifunction? How do you like it, I was looking at it now that it is 189.00
But, if you want to setup another desktop computer, with or without monitor (maybe a simple KVM switch for your primary computer and this "server") you can easilly setup the compute with the 200GB storage and have that computer act as the printer server. Remember that computer ALWAYS has to be on for others to print from it, for example for you to easilly print from your laptop wirelessly.
Or, my final rec: do both. Getting a router with print server is a bit more expensive, maybe 30-40$ more but that means it will ALWAYS be able to offer printing services to others on the network.
Setting up the printer function for all users is as simple as sharing. It is fun to be wireless around the house, and be able to easilly print to the printer down in the office.!