Need help creating home network/printer

[IDAFC21]

Been a while since ive posted in this forum. I used to be quite a regular in here posting all sorts of problems w/ my computer, but its been awhile since ive had to do that

Anyways the main point of my post. Currently this is how our "network" is set up. We have a linksys cable modem going into a linksys router, which is fed into my computer, and another computer about 3 feet away from this one, and then we have a wireless card for my dads laptop. Recently my dad just bought one of those printer/scanner/copier/fax machine dealies, and he wants to set it up as a network printer so that all the computers can print from it. to do this he wants to connect it to just a basic box that'll act like a server and also have a large HD on so that files can be transfered to it from the other computers as well for backup purposes bascially.

my questions bascially are, what would be the best way of going about this, and also, what kinda specs for the "server" comp would be good. it wouldnt have to be anything much...just all basic stuff, doesnt need any bells and whistles. Any help is appreciated. thanks

 

[Solid Fro]

Any computer can be used as the Server. Find a used computer somewhere, just as long as it can run a network based operating system (NT, 2000, XP, Server, UNIX).

 

[Flerbizky]

Get any sort of Pentium+ class machine with a netcard, then goto E-Smith Download Page and download the iso.. Burn it, install it on your server and you should be up and running in 45 minutes... Very easy and configuration with the server manager is a breeze, even if you know d*** about linux..

 

[IDAFC21]

What is that program?

 

[Flerbizky]

Originally posted by IDAFC21
What is that program?

The E-Smith is a sleeved down RedHat OS (Linux). It comes with Samba server (Filesharing for Windows, can also act as domain controller), DHCP server (serves IP adresses), can be used as internet gateway w. Firewall, has a mailserver (which has built in webaccess), has an Apache to use for your homepage and everything else you need.. And basically everything is configurable via a web interface..

 

[GilesGuthrie]

That sounds cool!

If you just want to connect a non-network printer to the network, you can buy a print server (HP's JetDirect 300X is very good). You can then print to it by creating an IP connection on your PC. That's what I use.

 

[IDAFC21]

would somthing like this work pretty well? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-315-036&depa=0

it would allow all the computers on the router to print from it right?

 

[Danoff]

Currently, I use one computer as a server. The problem with that is that the server computer has to be ON in order to print to the printer.

The thing to do is buy one of those printer boxes that you can hook up to your printer and share it on the network so that you don't have to boot up your server to print.

The boxes are usually expensive....

Also, the box wouldn't require a hard disk. As long as the printer is on, your computer can feed the information directly into the memory on the printer through the box. No information would need to be stored in the box.

Edit: The link you posted is exactly what I was thinking. The one you put up only has one port though. I'd try to find one with a few connections so that you can expand in the future. I guess if the printer is one of those all-in-one deals you may not care about that though.