Wireless bridge to LW 12/640 via Airport Express/ethernet?

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Level 1

7 points

Wireless bridge to LW 12/640 via Airport Express/ethernet?

We recently switched to FiOS, which means they installed their own wireless router and created a new network. I want to keep printing to my trusty 12/640 PS laserwriter, but it's not really feasible to run a cable to the new router, which is now on a different floor. I've tried without success to configure and use an Airport Express (not Extreme) in "bridge" or "client" mode to extend the network but the system message keeps saying the new network cannot be extended. I thought I would then use a new 3rd party router to set up a separate wierless network just for the printer...but the fellow at the local Apple store said that the Express cannot connect with a printer at all via Ethernet, only USB.

Will a USB-to-Ethernet adapter do the trick? If so, do they come in differnt configurations that I shoulsd watch for?
Or is there some other way to get this to work short of spending money I do not have on still more hardware?
Or am I reduced to drilling a hole in the floor?

Thanks in advance! Bill

Posted on Dec 27, 2011 10:46 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 28, 2011 1:07 PM in response to dsch

the fellow at the local Apple store said that the Express cannot connect with a printer at all via Ethernet, only USB.

The fellow at the Apple store needs broader and more general training. He is answering based on what Printers are available in the store today, not your good High-End Apple Printer.

When you put an Ethernet printer on your network, as long as it is on the same subnet, the Router does not intervene (although its Switch may forward the packets, depending on network topology).. The data goes directly through your Ntwork, from your Macs to the Printer. To ensure it is on the same subnet, it should have an address in the same range as the other devices, e.g., if all are using 192.168.xxx.yyy addresses, the Printer should be using an Address in the range as well.

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Answer 2

dsch Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 31, 2011 6:55 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you, Grant. It is not possible to add either the AX or the 3rd-party router to Verizon's network. This is why I'm asking about

how to connect the printer to the AX and how to configure the AX
whether it's feasible to set up a separate wireless network only for the printer
whether it's possible to connect to two networks simultaneously or whether I would have to switch back and forth in order to print

Maybe there's some other way to do this (like the USB-to-Ethernet adapter if that would work) that doesn't involve

buying a new printer (since I have no $ for that) or
drilling a hole in the living room floor

At least, that's what I'm hoping for...

Thanks again! Bill

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Answer 3

Dec 31, 2011 9:25 AM in response to dsch

Could you please describe:

Where is the Router

Where is the printer

What computer is near the Printer (if any), and how is that computer connected to the Network

The LaserWriter 12/640PS is an Ethernet Level 2 Printer with built-in LPD/LPR. Once it assigned an Ethernet Address, it can stand by itself as Network device.

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Answer 4

dsch Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 31, 2011 3:08 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

Could you please describe:

Where is the Router

Where is the printer

What computer is near the Printer (if any), and how is that computer connected to the Network

The LaserWriter 12/640PS is an Ethernet Level 2 Printer with built-in LPD/LPR. Once it assigned an Ethernet Address, it can stand by itself as Network device.

The Verizon router is on the first floor; the printer and my own (currently-unused) router (whether the Airport Express or the new SMC) are both in the basement, within probably 12 feet of one another. There is no computer down there; we have an iMac on the first floor and another on the second floor. One of those was once next to the printer, and I did assign it a hard-coded IP address at that time which let me run an Ethernet cable between the router and the printer.

So I suppose the issue ultimately comes down to how to get the printer to be available on the network (whether Verizon's or a home-grown one) short of drilling a hole in the floor, which will make domestic bliss rather less blissful. If this is not possible then I will have to accept that and either drill the hole as inconspicuously as possible or scrounge some quarters from under the sofa cushions for a newer machine, but I really hate to have to do that...plus there really aren't any, I looked. Thanks!

--Bill

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Answer 5

Dec 31, 2011 3:13 PM in response to dsch

So the Verizon Router is also producing Cable-TV, and you are NOT using FIOS?

So the Router is tied to a position near the TV set?

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Answer 6

dsch Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 31, 2011 3:54 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

The VZ router is behind the TV and produces both TV and internet. We do use FiOS, which we signed up for about four weeks ago.

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Answer 7

Dec 31, 2011 4:05 PM in response to dsch

In the Boston area FIOS gives you an Optical Network Terminator, which can be mounted just outside or just inside your basement. From that comes:

Cable-TV cable,

100Base-T Ethernet,

One to four regular phone lines.

We connected out cable-TV directly from the Optical Network Terminal. For us, the only reason you need a connection of cable-TV cable on the Router box is to send Pay-per-View requests back from the [TV] set-top-box onto the Internet. We don't use Pay-per-View, so I left that disconnected.

What I am leading up to is, "Do you really have to have the Router where it is?"

The Ethernet cable from the Optical Network Terminal to the Router can be up to 100 meters long. Can you accomplish anything by moving the Router?

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Answer 8

dsch Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 3, 2012 4:53 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I've checked with Verizon, and unfortunately the router has to stay where it is, not only because of the coax running from it to the outside, but also because the wireless signal will not reach the second floor effectively if it were to be in the basement. You see the headache this becomes...

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Answer 9

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Jan 3, 2012 6:15 AM in response to dsch

I can not understand this thread, but I am practically sure that a Airport Express to extend the network will not work, outside the apple products there are so few routers that it will connect to successfully...

When you use the AE as Acess point for the printer, mmm, I am not sure...

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Answer 10

dsch Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 6, 2012 4:44 AM in response to Lexiepex

Anything else to add here? Hope springs eternal, you know...

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Answer 11

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

22,117 points

Jan 17, 2012 1:45 PM in response to dsch

Hi Bill,

One or two dedicated wireless Ethernet bridge devices (also known as gaming adapters) could possibly be of help in this case. Alternatively a powerline network connection (via the electrical wires).

Also, the part about ProxySTA in the following article may be of interest:

http://www.macworld.com/article/132754/2008/03/express11n.html

Jan

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Answer 12

Jan 17, 2012 3:47 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

The WirelessSTA paragraph makes reference to "Relay" and "Remote" set-ups of Base Stations. These are descibed in this article:

Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a Wireless Distribution System (802.11b/g)

I was able to set up a "Relay" (over Ethernet) using an antique graphite Base Station and the FIOS/Actiontec Router.

On the Relay Base Station:

Turn NAT OFF.

Turn DHCP OFF.

Be sure Bridge is checked.

When operating OK, set to the same channel and give it the same Network Name.

You may need a stumbler program to see what channel the FIOS Router is using, if it is set to automatic. Default (if no interference) is channel 6.

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Answer 13

Feb 8, 2012 2:44 PM in response to dsch

You can have Verizon change your ONT type to ethernet and connect what ever router you want.

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Answer 14

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Feb 9, 2012 12:00 AM in response to dsch

Again: this is way above my head, but: can the iMacs etc see each other and communicate/share things? If yes, did you try to connect the printer to the first floor iMac (where it was in the first place) and use a sharing solution like Airprintactivator or Printopia? Wouldn't that work?

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Answer 15

Mar 18, 2012 1:30 PM in response to dsch

For what it's worth....

I have a Laserwriter 16/600, very similar to your 12/640. I have an Airport Express in my den with ethernet cable running from there to the printer and I can print wireless from anywhere in range.

You have to set your APX to join a wireless network (using WDS).

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