Wireless connection between MBP 2017 and HP 5MP laser printer

Two methods that could be used.

If the Wi-Fi router is placed relatively near the HP 5MP printer:

a) Check whether the router has a free Ethernet (LAN) port.

b) Connect an Ethernet-to parallel print server such as the TP-Link TL-PS110P (https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/print-server/tl-ps110p/) to the printer.

c) Connect an Ethernet cable between the print server and the router's free LAN port.

It should now be possible to access the printer wirelessly from the MacBook Pro (via the router), provided that the appropriate printer drivers are available.

If the Wi-Fi router is not located near the printer:

a) Connect an Ethernet-to parallel print server such as the TP-Link TL-PS110P (https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/print-server/tl-ps110p/) to the printer.

b) Place a Wi-Fi range extender (with wireless Ethernet bridge capabilities) such as the Edimax EW-7438RPn Mini (https://www.edimax.com/edimax/merchandise/merchandise_detail/data/edimax/us/wi-fi_range_extenders_n300/ew-7438rpn_mini/) next to the printer.

c) Connect a short Ethernet cable between the print server and the Wi-Fi range extender.

d) Set up a wireless connection between the Wi-Fi range extender (operating in a bridge/client/adapter mode) and the Wi-Fi router.

It should now be possible to access the printer wirelessly from the MacBook Pro (via the router), provided that the appropriate printer drivers are available.

Whether an Ethernet-to-USB adapter/print server combined with a USB-to-parallel adapter could be made to work is unknown. Since three different interfaces are involved, any such combination would require testing. The cost is not necessarily going to be lower than for an Ethernet-to-parallel print server alone.

Yes, I have noticed that many print servers are in the price range USD 60 to 120+. However, (for example, on eBay) you may also be able to find much less expensive (second-hand) models. Even some HP external print servers. The most important thing would be to ensure that the print server has at least one parallel port and one RJ-45 Ethernet port. Many models have a web-based (embedded web server) configuration method, which makes it easier. Avoid any model that requires special software for setup. Try another online auction site search for something like print server Ethernet parallel (used). If you can find three or four candidates at reasonable prices, please post back with the exact model numbers. I could then have a quick look at the specifications (no guarantee, though).

Hello Suzanne,

Thank you for the update.

In principle, almost any Ethernet-to-parallel print server should work. There are compact models (such as the TL-PS110P) with an integrated parallel plug. Others are box-shaped, where one would use a separate parallel printer cable. It really does not matter which. The way they are configured may differ, though, and they may have different capabilities. Do not spend too much if you have to try another one. Look upon it as an experiment. Buying a used one should be OK. You may want to search an online auction site like eBay. You could also post one or two model numbers, and I could check whether any documentation is available.

You will have to adapt the parallel printer port to wireless, somehow. The LocalTalk port on a 5MP can not be used in this case.

The easiest way is to use a print server with an Ethernet (RJ-45) network interface and a parallel interface, and connect the Ethernet side to one of the LAN ports of a Wi-Fi router. The print server acts a converter from Ethernet to parallel.

If you already had a spare Apple AirPort Extreme base station with a USB port, or an AirPort Express, there could possibly have been some kind of alternative solution (in combination with the existing USB-to-parallel adapter).

The first method suggested above has the advantage of being simple (no extra wireless setup, et cetera), and Ethernet usually ensures a stable connection. An HP Laserjet 6P (a printer not too different from the 5MP) is listed as compatible with the TL-PS110P in https://static.tp-link.com/2020/202004/20200430/PrinterCompatibilityList_20200430.pdf. However, as always with old printers connected via multiple interfaces, consider this to be experimental.

For the second method described above, the most important thing would be to ensure that a Wi-Fi range extender (operating in a bridge/client/adapter mode) is compatible with modern wireless security (the example device can handle WPA2).

There are other methods, possibly including the existing USB-to-parallel printer adapter (combined with a USB-to-Wi-Fi print server). A few bits of additional information would help:

• again, the distance between the printer and the Wi-Fi router
• the Wi-Fi router make and model number (please do not post any serial numbers or access codes)
• would you have an old AirPort Extreme base station or AirPort Express somewhere, or any other spare router with a USB port (if so, exact models)?

Also, external HP Jetdirect print server models of interest in a case like this would be the 300x and 170x.

Hi,

It would probably be correct to assume that you have a Wi-Fi router. If so, how is the HP 5MP printer located in relation to this router?