Wireless network, one for internet, one for printer?

[valkylrie]

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/printers_multifunction/photo_all_in_one_inkjet_printers/pixma_mp495

The idea was that with limited space in the RV, that the printer could be placed out of the way, hidden and secured for ease of travel as every few months the work location changes.

I am just not sure what equipment or how to set this up to access two wireless networks at the same time?

Any help is appreciated!

[tangent]

If he has wireless internet access then he already has a nic (network interface card). All he needs to set up his own network would be to buy a wireless router and hook it up. Should be very simple and easy to get up and running. Pm me if you need any additional help.

[Boristheblade]

Another idea is to use a airport base station for wireless printing.

[wheels]

The printer spec also says it supports USB - worst case - use a cable.

[DVSmith]

USB would be easiest, but who wants easiest?

Most hot spots require some sort of authentication these days. Many of them use a browser based system expecting you to connect to the hot spot or WiFi Access Point with the pc that will be connected to the network. Others may simply use one of the secure modes of connection.

I think this is where the challenge will be. You could put a WiFi router in bridge mode, but getting it to authenticate may be a problem. Maybe a second WiFi adapter on the computer and then dual home the computer? Put the printer and one WiFi adapter on a private subnet that is hard coded and then use the other adapter to connect to the WiFi hot spot?

Any other thoughts you network geeks?

[high_revs]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=356297&highlight=apartment

Take at look at this Valkylrie. By setting up this way, your dad doesn't have to disconnect from park's network to connect to his own network just to access the printer. OP in the thread above used the free wifi like an ISP hardwired to his router and he has his own wifi network. If you only buy a router w/o doing much else, when your dad prints, he would have to disconnect to park's wifi network and connect to his own. pita if you have to print from the web.

assuming there is no authentication (like being @ starbucks) as dvsmith says. i've not come across that setup yet.

[Ricky-Ray]

I think a second wireless network card would be needed and a router. Statically assign an IP to both the wireless printer and one of the network cards so it always connects to the router in the RV. The second wireless card can be left at it's default of DHCP and that can be used to connect to the free wireless signals wherever he's at.

I haven't tried it in real life but in theory it sounds like it should.

[Nose Nuggets]

i would go spend $4 on a USB cable and forget the hassle. he needs to plug the printer into the wall anyway when he uses it. just toss a USB cable on it.

[ldsnet]

If the laptop has built in bluetooth, it may be easier to find a bluetooth print server and attach to the printer that way. No conflict with WiFi networks and the whole swtiching network issues, and it would work anywhere inside his RV (or close proximity outside, i used a bluetooth network between 2 laptops and had reasonable connectivity at the 40-50ft range).

[valkylrie]

I have forwarded him all the options, just waiting to see which direction he wants to go...thanks for all the help guys. I'll be in touch if we need more info.