How to Use a Printer on Two Subnetworks
To use a printer on two subnetworks, you must know the IP address or location of the printer on the network. Most printers allow you to obtain this information through the onboard printer menu. Otherwise, you can use the Control Panel of a network device that is already connected to the printer. With the IP address, you can set Windows up to find the printer on the network and add it to a subnetwork. Configuring the printer on both subnetworks requires the use of the Devices and Printers applet of the Windows Control Panel, using the "Standard TCP/IP Port" of devices located on each of the subnetworks.
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Instructions
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Select "Control Panel" from the Windows "Start" menu.
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Click on "Hardware" in the Control Panel window.
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Select "Add a Printer" under the "Devices and Printers" group.
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Choose "Add a Local Printer" in the Add Printer dialog that appears and click the "Next" button.
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Select the "Create a new port" option and select "Standard TCP/IP Port" from the "Type of Port" drop down. Click the "Next" button.
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Enter the IP address of the printer in the other subnet in the "Hostname or IP Address" field and click the "Next" button.
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Select the printer from the list and click the "Next" button.
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Accept the default printer name by clicking the "Next" button.
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Select the "Share this printer so others on your network can find and use it" option and click the "Next" button. A page will appear confirming that you have successfully added the printer. Click the "Finish" button.
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Tips & Warnings
In order for a printer to work successfully across subnetworks, the subnetworks must be able to talk to each other. Therefore, you must have a router or a layer 3 device on your network that moves traffic between the subnets.
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Resources
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