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General discussion

VPN and sharing a printer

by TyPeRo Jan 15, 2006 11:57PM PST

Is there anyway to share a printer when one computer is dialed into a VPN network and the other one is not (Outside of swapping the USB cable back and forth). I have a work computer and a personal computer at home that share the monitor/keyboard/mouse and would also like it if they could share the printer. Both systems run Win XP pro and access the internet via a netgear router(wireless but both are hardwired). My work computer has wireless but my personal does not. If I added a print server could my work computer access it via wireless(while still on VPN) while my personal used USB?

Thanks for any help.

Discussion is locked

9 Posts
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Think it over.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 16, 2006 12:06AM PST

If you allowed such, VPN would have a security hole.

Think it over and over and over and you'll understand why a VPN drops other network connections. But you can plug the printer directly to the VPN'd machine and print.

Nothing broken...

Bob

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What about....
by TyPeRo Jan 16, 2006 1:24AM PST

What about a USB hub, splitter, or something so that I could plug both computers into 1 printer?

Thanks for the help.

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I see one problem.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 16, 2006 1:50AM PST

Such USB sharing ports, splitters and such cost just as much as some printers. Try justifying this with a little math.

Bob

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Oops, forgot one solution.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 16, 2006 1:51AM PST

A bluetooth printer. Sadly this is not cheap. Could be more than another printer.

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Bluetooth....
by TyPeRo Jan 16, 2006 2:58AM PST

How would bluetooth be any different then adding on a wireless print server?

Not that money is no object but for the convenience I wouldn't have a problem spending $100.

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Because bluetooth could use it's non-network modes.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 16, 2006 3:15AM PST

As such, VPN would not block its use.

Bob

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Solution
by TyPeRo Jan 17, 2006 12:30PM PST

Found a USB share switch that pretty much does the trick. Allows you to connect 1 device to several PC's. Does not switch automatically when needed but provides a hot key that makes it pretty easy.

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Your Router should be all you need.
by MSchlenker Jan 18, 2006 5:06AM PST

If you have two computers running Win XP pro on the same Router, all you need to do is enable file/print sharing on both computers (Use the Network Setup Wizard) and as long as the computer with the printer on it is on, the other will have access to it.

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VPN
by TyPeRo Jan 22, 2006 10:59PM PST

That would work if I was not connected to my VPN. That's why I started this thread. Without the VPN its easy.

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