How do I add a Printer to a Wireless Network?

There are several methods of adding a printer to a wireless network:


Printer sharing from a computer
Adding a wired print server
Adding a wireless print server
Printer Sharing from a Computer
The least expensive solution is to add a local printer to one of the computers on your wireless LAN and then enable printer sharing on that computer.

This is a good solution if at least one of the computers on your wireless LAN is a desktop or server PC.

This approach requires you to locate your printer next to the computer you use as a print server.

To share a printer in Microsoft Windows:

Click the Start button
Click the Control Panel menu option
Click the Printers and Faxes icon
Select the printer you want to share
Click the File menu
Click the Sharing menu item
Wired Print Servers
Another alternative is to purchase a dedicated network print server, plug it into an Ethernet port on your WAP (Wireless Access Point) and connect a printer to it.

This approach does not rely on a desktop or server PC. The downsides to this approach are cost and the fact that you have to locate your printer next to your Wireless Access Point (WAP).

Wireless Print Servers
A third approach is to purchase a dedicated wireless network print server, connect it directly to youe wireless network, and then connect a printer to it.

This approach also does not rely on a desktop or server PC. This approach does not require you to locate your printer near to one of your computers or network devices.

The only downside to this approach is cost.

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D-Link DP-G321 Wireless-G Print Server USB 2.0/Parallel Port
The D-Link DP-G321 Wireless Multi-Port Print Server lets you connect to the latest printers while staying backwards compatible. With this print server, everyone on the network can share access to up to three printers. It's the ideal network printing solution for small offices, home offices, schools and other businesses that require sharing multiple printers.