Can I use a shared Network Printer across segregated networks?

I'm working in an office that is currently sharing network resources but wants to segregate while keeping access to the network copier/printer that they are currently sharing.





I can segregate the networks with no problem but is there a way to segregate the networks while still retaining each network access to the network printer?





Modem - Linksys Router -%26gt;


------%26gt; Shared Switches ----%26gt; Computers/Printers


Modem - Linksys Router - %26gt;

Can I use a shared Network Printer across segregated networks?
If the printer has its own network capabilities (it will have a network jack if so) just plug it directly into the linksys router.





if the printer is hooked up to a user machine, you have to use the unc path to install it. when the printer is shared the unc path will look like this





\\name of workstation\name of printer %26lt;---- should be something like this.





you might want to consider separating your computers logically with workgroup names, rather than physically with switches.





put all of the machines on a single hub, linked to your router, and then run the network setup wizard on each machine, and chose a custom workgroup name based on what computers you want grouped together. just a thought.
Reply:sure put the printer on the router that routes between each printer (assuming the router is capable of that) I use a PC (running linux) with 4 network cards as my router and installed the printer on the PC, so that each subnet sees the printer





but once you subnet your network you should still be able to get to that printer by IP address (i.e. setup a printer on each PC with an IP address and NOT a name, this assumes you setup your router correctly), also if you are using active directory you could use that to share the printer (but I am guessing your not using active directory).





if your router is routing correctly between subnets, from any subnet you should be able to ping any device on a different subnet and if you can do that you can also route a print job to any device you can ping (but by IP and not a share name, so you will have to setup tcp/ip printer instead of a shared by name printer)





its not too hard to do, does your printer have a network card or are you just sharing it off a PC?





dougc