Network Printer Connection

[kuhuh]

We got a new printer and I am trying to set it up in another room. I can ping the printer when its connected directly to the port switch. However, I cannot get it to work when its connected at the wall port in another room. the flow chart is wall port to patch panel, patch panel to port switch, port switch to server. Why would it work when its connected directly to the port switch but not through the patch panel. I tested all the lines and they are all clear. I am able to access the internet and server through the same wall port but cant pint the dumb printer. Any ideas?

 

[Ralston18]

Pinging is one thing: printing/working is another. By working you do you mean that the printer prints etc. or can just be "pinged"?

Are you sure that you pinged the printer? Did you assign a static IP or know what DHCP IP was assigned to the printer?

Where in the flow chart is the router?

 

[kuhuh]

Pinging is one thing: printing/working is another. By working you do you mean that the printer prints etc. or can just be "pinged"?

Are you sure that you pinged the printer? Did you assign a static IP or know what DHCP IP was assigned to the printer?

Where in the flow chart is the router?

Yes. I can ping the printer when it is connected to the port switch directly. The printer was assigned a static ip. The router is plugged into the port switch. The cables that connect the wall port and patch panel are cat 5. I guess it could be possible that the printer requires cat 6 but it is only 30' most of cable between the patch panel and wall port doubt there is that much loss over that short distance. Like I said before I have tested the cable between the wall port and patch panel and it got the ok but I dont have the equipment to test data speeds able to be ran through it.

 

[Ralston18]

Thanks. Does the printer actually print when connected to the port switch versus not printing when connected to its intended wall port?

Is the intended wall port a newly installed wall port or an existing wall port that was previously working?

Can you try try connecting a desktop or laptop computer to the wall port in question? Use a desktop or laptop known to work on the network.

Did you try different, known working ethernet cables between the wall port and printer/desktop or laptop?

Need to narrow down the physical cable/connectivity problem possibilities versus some physical problem with the printer.

Should not be a matter of being Cat 5 versus Cat 6 cables and the existing 30' distance should not be a problem - very much within the 328' limit.

 

[kuhuh]

Thanks. Does the printer actually print when connected to the port switch versus not printing when connected to its intended wall port?

Is the intended wall port a newly installed wall port or an existing wall port that was previously working?

Can you try try connecting a desktop or laptop computer to the wall port in question? Use a desktop or laptop known to work on the network.

Did you try different, known working ethernet cables between the wall port and printer/desktop or laptop?

Need to narrow down the physical cable/connectivity problem possibilities versus some physical problem with the printer.

Should not be a matter of being Cat 5 versus Cat 6 cables and the existing 30' distance should not be a problem - very much within the 328' limit.

The printer prints when plugged straight into port switch. The wall port is an existing port. I am able to connect to the internet and access the server on the network through that port which leads me to believe the printer should be able to be found on the network. I mean 30 feet isn't much in electrical terms but could the network card on the printer not be powerful enough to push that far? Our other network printer/fax machine is connected straight to the port switch. I guess I should also mention its a plotter so the files it receive are a little larger than most printers receive.

 

[Ralston18]

While the printer is connected and printing via the port switch swap out the ethernet cable with a very long, tested-working ethernet cable. Very long being somewhat subjective but go for more than 30 feet. You could likewise try other more distant known working wall ports even though moving a plotter around can be problematic....

The idea is to prove that the distance is indeed a consistent and determining (print or not print) factor. Keep everything else the same.

Could be some degradation within the printer's network card - some threshold of failure.

 

[kuhuh]

While the printer is connected and printing via the port switch swap out the ethernet cable with a very long, tested-working ethernet cable. Very long being somewhat subjective but go for more than 30 feet. You could likewise try other more distant known working wall ports even though moving a plotter around can be problematic....

The idea is to prove that the distance is indeed a consistent and determining (print or not print) factor. Keep everything else the same.

Could be some degradation within the printer's network card - some threshold of failure.

Will have to gather materials to test, thanks for trying to help. It may take a couple of days for me to get around to doing it.