Setting Up A Wireless Print / Hard Drive Network

[milesdavis]

So, I'm trying to make my laptop as mobile as possible and I'm wondering what I need to buy to accomplish this.

I would like to be able to access my external hard drive wirelessly. I currently have three external drives, and I would also like to print wirelessly [which may be a problem because I have the Epson 595 ].

What would you recommend I purchase to make this work? Do I need a second laptop to run as a 'server' or can I just get something like the AEBS or can I use my existing Linksys router somehow?

Thanks!!!

- MD

 

[fireshot91]

For me, it's connected like this:


I have a standard N router (Nothing above standard)- Connected via USB is my HP Photosmart. Connected via ethernet is a wired router acting as a 4 port ethernet switch, and connected to that is my NAS box.
If your hard drives have ethernet capability, I'd just connect them to your router/switch, and connect your printer over USB to your router (If your router has it, if not, ethernet)

 

[rgarjr]

If you wanna upgrade your router u can get yourself an Airport Extreme and a hub and connect them all up. If you wanna keep your old router then u need a computer connected to your router and be on at all times, kinda like a server.

Home servers are being reallly popular nowadays.

 

[J&JPolangin]

...I used my Linksys WRT54GS as an excuse to purchase the new Sim Dual band AEBS and its a fantastic product, does everything you want and the guest network feature is great when friends come over also...

 

[milesdavis]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the responses!

So, I was thinking the AEBS would do the trick. I would probably need a powered USB hub to make all the drives show, right? This whole thing can be password protected too, right?

If I wanted to use AirTunes for wireless music, I'd need to buy an express with this set-up too, right?

Thanks 'gain!

MD

 

[rgarjr]

If the hard drives are self powered then you can probably get away with a USB hub that doesn't have a power brick.

U need an Express to do the airtunes thing. I have one, and control it with my iphone and works awesome. Thing is though, you need a computer running Itunes whenever you wanna use it.

 

[spaceballl]

It's also possible to get a printer with an ethernet port on it, instead of plugging the USB into the AE. The reason for this is that most all-in-one devices don't support scanning when plugged in via USB to the AE. I have my HP all-in-one connected via ethernet to my AE, and it allows me to scan / fax / copy / print from any computer.