2 routers?

[sherall0]

Hello,
I have recently moved to a cable internet service and because of the location of the cable, modem and router I no longer have my printer plugged into the router. Everything else is running wirelessly (3 pc's and 2 laptops) I still have another router and was wondering if there is a way to use that to hook the printer(s) up and be able to print from everything else. My question is can I have two routers set up so that the wireless devices can be connected to both at the same time? (I think not, but I'm no expert)

 

[eibgrad]

If that second router can be reconfigured as a client bridge (some can, some can’t), then yes, you could use it to convert your wired printer into a wireless printer. But if it can't, if it can only be configured as a wireless AP (the default in router mode), you're stuck. You either have to buy a client bridge (aka wireless ethernet bridge, gaming adapter), or if you're lucky, maybe that second router supports third-party firmware (e.g., dd-wrt, tomato, openwrt), which have the ability to reconfigure the router into a client bridge. It just depends on the make/model/revision # of that second router.

P.S. Although not always practical, if the printer is at least within striking distance of a desktop/laptop w/ an otherwise unused ethernet port, and has wireless of its own, you could use that as your bridge.

 

[sherall0]

If that second router can be reconfigured as a client bridge (some can, some can’t), then yes, you could use it to convert your wired printer into a wireless printer. But if it can't, if it can only be configured as a wireless AP (the default in router mode), you're stuck. You either have to buy a client bridge (aka wireless ethernet bridge, gaming adapter), or if you're lucky, maybe that second router supports third-party firmware (e.g., dd-wrt, tomato, openwrt), which have the ability to reconfigure the router into a client bridge. It just depends on the make/model/revision # of that second router.

P.S. Although not always practical, if the printer is at least within striking distance of a desktop/laptop w/ an otherwise unused ethernet port, and has wireless of its own, you could use that as your bridge.

Thanks for the info. I know I could plug it into the desktops and use it from there, but I was trying to avoid having to have the desktop turned on to print from a laptop. I will look into the bridging ability (or lack thereof) of my router. Thanks again!!

 

[sherall0]

Best answer selected by sherall0.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

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