Wireless printing (Epson Artisan 725) and multiple networks

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Level 1

9 points

Wireless printing (Epson Artisan 725) and multiple networks

Hello. After spending the better part of a day trying to get the wi-fi printing to work on my new Epson Artisan 725 all-in-one, I finally realized the problem is this:

My MacBook Pro (with Snow Leopard) is connected to my home office network via ethernet and my home/family network via the AirPort card. This has never posed a problem before, and I've been able to print to the USB printer on my wife's MacBook, for example, just fine.

I wasn't able to properly configure this wireless Epson (on the family network) until I unhooked the ethernet cable from my MBP, and it won't print unless I do that, either.

So I could switch the printer to my office network, but then my kids won't be able to print to it. Not the end of the world, but is there a way I can be connected to both networks and use this printer?

Esoteric problem, I know. Thanks for any advice.

-Doug

Mac Pro 8 core, MacBook Pro, iPhone 4, iPad, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 30, 2011 4:29 PM

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Answer 1

dougj99 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 30, 2011 6:54 PM in response to greg sahli

Office network = Airport Extreme 802.11n on Cable Modem

Home Network = Airport Extreme 802.11g on DSL modem

Office network is mostly wired (Windows & Mac workstations + my work MacBook Pro). Home network is Mostly wireless (various family Macs + iPhone and iPad).

I keep them separate a) as a redundant backup internet connection for my business and b) so I don't have my teenagers' streaming movies interfering with my work uploads.

I was hoping to not have to buy two new printers right now and use the wireless printer with my MacBook Pro while maintaining the wired connection to my office network.

Thanks!

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Answer 2

dougj99 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 31, 2011 7:55 AM in response to greg sahli

Hmmm, apparently not, although I am not sure if I'm looking in the right place. Both airports come up with an ip address of 10.0.1.1 in the airport utility, and DHCP is set to the same beginning and ending address.

The office network definitely has to have that subnet, as I am using a Windows domain controller....

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Answer 3

Mar 31, 2011 2:37 PM in response to dougj99

My name is Syd and I work for Epson America, Inc.

Unfortunately, the printer can not be on 2 networks at the same time. You would need to use the printer control panel and connect to each network whenever you wanted to change. Using the ethernet cable would not allow any wireless access. The only thing we could recommend would be to connect to one network hardwire or wireless, and if the other network has only one computer, connect this USB. The printer will do network and USB simultaneously.

We would recommend contacting technical support via phone if there are any questions or they can provide a walk through of the installation. The direct number is 562-276-4382.

Here to help,
Syd

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Answer 4

dougj99 Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 1, 2011 9:56 AM in response to greg sahli

Wow

I was so shocked when the printer came to life upon my hitting the "print" button that I nearly fell out of my chair. The ticket was changing the subnet on the family airport. Thanks so much Greg!

And yeah, I didn't want the printer on 2 networks, just my MBP, Although it's good to know there is a way to do it. In the docs it says you can't do USB and Network at the same time.

Cheers,
Doug

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Answer 5

JudyMc

Level 1

140 points

Nov 16, 2011 4:36 PM in response to Epson Mac Tech

Epson is blaming the problem on Apple. All day I have been trying to deal with Epson's tech support and this is my last resort. I set up a new Artisan 725 wireless printer and printed successfully from it on my MacBook running OS 10.5.8. Then I got a printing app for my iPod Touch (about 2 months old) and I can print from it beautifully. Only now I can't print from the MacBook anymore! Epson will not issue me a refund, saying that there is something wrong with Apple's firmware. I even downloaded the latest driver and set up my wireless network over again. I now have a worthless $200 printer. UNLESS you can help here! Syd?

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Answer 6

JudyMc

Level 1

140 points

Nov 20, 2011 12:58 PM in response to dougj99

Hi, I had to hire a techie to fix it since neither Epson nor Apple had ready answers. In short, "repair permissions" in disk utility fixed it. In the end it was software and the background clutter of my 4 year old MacBook, not a hardware failure, thank goodness. But it was expensive - $50.

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Answer 7

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Mar 31, 2011 12:53 PM in response to dougj99

I believe that's your problem! Those two networks need to be different subnets for your computer to know which network interface to go to for the printer.

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Answer 8

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Mar 30, 2011 5:25 PM in response to dougj99

You need to tell us more details, like the equipment (routers, modems, etc) used for the two networks. Do you intend to keep the two networks separate?

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Answer 9

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Mar 30, 2011 8:59 PM in response to dougj99

Are the subnets different - example - one network 10.0.1.x, and the other 10.0.2.x?

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Answer 10

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Mar 31, 2011 7:08 PM in response to Epson Mac Tech

As far as I can tell, the intent isn't to have the printer on two networks?
Nor is it...

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