How do I set up a home network consisting of desktop and laptop PCs, an iMac, and an all-in-one printer?
December 5th, 2008 | 
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delta_one6 asked:
My iMac is an older model running OS9. My laptop has a wireless card, but I don’t think my desktop PC does. At this time I have cable broadband internet access but that might change in the near future. I believe in the KISS principle.
Earl
My iMac is an older model running OS9. My laptop has a wireless card, but I don’t think my desktop PC does. At this time I have cable broadband internet access but that might change in the near future. I believe in the KISS principle.
Earl
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Get your self a wireless router to share you internet connection (i’d suggest a netgear). Make sure all the computers either have a wired or wireless ethernet adapter.
For the printer, youv’e got a few choices. 1) you can purchase a print server to make the printer network ready. However if you do this you may lose some of the function of the all in one, for example scanning. you’d have to check with the manufacture and see if the printer supports nework scanning and what not.
2) you could always simply connect the printer to one of the computers (i’d suggest one of the PCs) and do a Micrsoft Windows printer sharing set up. Its fairly simple to do once you have the printer installed on one computer.
ultimately that should be all you need. The netgear router will give you the easier set up for you highspeed internet connection. They also generally offer 3 year warrentys on their products. Its what i’ve always used and wouldn’t think of using anything else.