How do I connect 2 computers to 1 printer?

Question

I need to connect 2 computers to 1 printer. How would I go about doing this and what equipment do I need?

Answer 1

you need to create local network. You can either do by connecting two computers directly or buy router/switch.

Answer 2

If all you have is 2 computers and a printer you can get a cross over cable from local computer store and then your networked and open the printer up as shared. That is a very bare bones approach OR even more bare bones get a printer (A/B) switch they have smart switch's too. The computers both hook to switch with printer port (or I believe USB will work if switch supports it) then the printer hooks to the switch as the output device.

Answer 3

If wirelessly, you need to purchase a wireless print server. If you want to connect two computers to the same printer get a printer switch from iogear.com

Answer 4

the device you need is a print server... (available from linksys, DLINK,netgear etc)
a print server is used for printing from more than 1 computer at the same time.
but make sure you have a router (to act as a DHCP server)...
also make sure the printer is not "all-in-one" as most print servers cant work with "all-in-ones" or with network printers...

if you do not a have a router buy a psus4 (print server from linksys with switch)...assign static IP on network cards and print server...

this should solve your problem...

Answer 5

attach the printer to one of them and then network them so the printer can be used from either.

Answer 6

something like this (parallel port printers): http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=63 or this (USB printers): http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=272

.. should do the job.