Setup Wireless Printer on Condo Network

[Dave 1973]

Is it possible to set up a wireless printer for an individual condo owner on a wifi network that is shared

by all the owners in the building ? No password is needed to sign on, just select the SSID and click connect.

I have tried before in other buildings and was not successful.

Thanks ....


Dave

 

[Moltuae]

If my understanding of a condo is correct (assuming it's similar to what we call apartments or flats in this part of the world) then no, not if the wireless network has been properly configured, otherwise anyone could potentially see and connect to anyone else's devices.

You would need to use a wireless bridge and router to create a private wireless subnetwork that connects to the public WiFi (as if it were a WAN connection). Something like the Securifi Almond should do it. I have one of these in my workshop so, if you're considering going down this route, let me know and I'll do a quick test ...

 

[Dave 1973]

Moltuae thank you for your input !!

Yes, a condo is like an apartment that you own.

" if you're considering going down this route, let me know and I'll do a quick test ..."

I just did a quick read on the Securifi and that may work. I will be going to the site

on Monday to see if there is a wireless access point with an ethernet connector located in my customers condo.


Computer Bloke thanks for your link !!

" You'll probably find that the network is deliberately designed to prevent traffic being routed between users"

I imagine this is what the network has Wireless Isolation

The printer is for the personal use of the condo owner , so a public location wouldn't work.



I'll know more about this project after I see it Monday.


Thanks for your help !!

 

[Dave 1973]

So it's not to be shared among other users and it's purely for use within the owner's apartment?

In that case you can (probably) ignore the existing wireless network altogether and set the printer up with WiFi Direct, assuming that the printer supports this - many do. When this works it's like magic. When it doesn't it just... doesn't.

Yes, it is just for the owner of one condo. I read your link and it sounds promising. Would both the PC and the printer need to be WiFi direct

compatible ? Could the PC be signed in on the existing wireless network and still use WiFi direct at the same time ? Like if they wanted

to print out an email or a web page.....


I just found the answers to my own questions. This HP page has a good explanation of

the WiFi direct process.... http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04577030

This may be the answer to my problem.....


Thanks !!


Dave

 

[Markverhyden]

A properly setup wifi system like that's described for a condo will have each assigned IP in isolation. Since the EU's have no control over traffic flow or security it will never work. So, as mentioned WiFi direct, or Bluetooth.

 

[Moltuae]

to see if there is a wireless access point with an ethernet connector located in my customers condo.

If there's an Ethernet connection available, all you need is a router. I was assuming there's no Ethernet though. If that's the case, a wireless bridge will effectively convert a wireless signal into a wired one. You then need a router to establish a new private network. The Securifi device will definitely do the first part but I can't remember if it can act as a router while in bridge mode .... I'll have to check. If not, you'll need a router too.

 

[Markverhyden]

Need to make sure about the ToS for the site. They may have terms prohibiting a WiFi bridge.

 

[Dave 1973]

Thanks for your help guys ! Right now I'm leaning toward Wifi Direct because it seems like the easiest way to go but if the devices

are not compatible I'll check to see if there is an ethernet port available (owners said there is an access point in their unit).

The cost would be higher with installing a bridge and I'm not sure if it would work with their network setup.

 

[Diggs]

When this works it's like magic. When it doesn't it just... doesn't.

This! 35% of my service calls right here! Printer WiFi direct is easy and absolutely unreliable. Use as a last resort and in this case it seems to be. Why doesn't he just plug in the USB cord when he wants to print?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Another option instead of WiFi Direct printing...is using a printer that supports "Cloud Print". You have some printers that support Googles Cloud Print. And you have some that have their own brand of cloud print, such as HP Cloud Print.

Basically you can be anywhere in the world connected to the internet, and the printer is anywhere in the world connected to the internet, and you can print to it. The cloud print service is your print spooler proxy.

 

[Dave 1973]

This! 35% of my service calls right here! Printer WiFi direct is easy and absolutely unreliable. Use as a last resort and in this case it seems to be. Why doesn't he just plug in the USB cord when he wants to print?

Why is it unreliable ?? Too much distance between PC and printer ?

The computer is in the living room and the printer is in a bedroom.

Thanks for your input !!

Dave

 

[Dave 1973]

Another option instead of WiFi Direct printing...is using a printer that supports "Cloud Print". You have some printers that support Googles Cloud Print. And you have some that have their own brand of cloud print, such as HP Cloud Print.

Basically you can be anywhere in the world connected to the internet, and the printer is anywhere in the world connected to the internet, and you can print to it. The cloud print service is your print spooler proxy.

That sounds like another good option. I've played around with Cloud print on my own PC but never on a customers. I'll look into the possibility. Will I be able to put the printer on the condo associations
network ?

Thanks for your input !!

Dave

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Will I be able to put the printer on the condo associations
network ?

Yeah..all the printer need to do is...get to the internet...and ultimately it's cloud print service up there in the sky somewhere. It doesn't need to talk to local computers on the LAN, it doesn't care if this condo associations wireless network is properly setup with client isolation mode. All the printer needs is to get out to "the internet" and hold hands with its cloud print service.

Same for the desktop/laptop/tablet/smart phone that the person is printing from.

 

[Dave 1973]

Yeah..all the printer need to do is...get to the internet...and ultimately it's cloud print service up there in the sky somewhere. It doesn't need to talk to local computers on the LAN, it doesn't care if this condo associations wireless network is properly setup with client isolation mode. All the printer needs is to get out to "the internet" and hold hands with its cloud print service.

Same for the desktop/laptop/tablet/smart phone that the person is printing from.

OK, good! Thanks for your help !

Dave