DSL/Print server

I have a network of laptops that I use at two different locations. At one location I have to use dial-up for internet and I have them set up for a wireless print server, ad-hoc, with a static IP.

At the other location we have wireless DSL. I have to disable the printer server settings and go to "find IP automatically" so they will connect to the wireless DSL.

It is a pain to keep switching back and forth. Is there an easier way. Can I make a script file to accomplish what I want to do?

 

I'm not absolutely clear on what you mean by "disable the printer server settings ", but if you mean the IP addressing for that site then I'd suggest you use DHCP at both sites. Then to switch between the two you create a batch file containing:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

The first line can be redundant, but sometimes you are more like to get a successful renew if you have released the IP lease first.

If you don't have a server at the site, have a look at either the print server or Wireless Access Point to see if they have DHCP options. If you don't have a DHCP option, then this suggestion won't help.

 

It means that the printer server is not on an access point so it has to be setup as a static Ip and put in Ad Hoc (computer to computer)

The DSL requires that the IP be found automatically. So if I have the printer settings running then I can't hook up to the internet unless I use dial-up, yuk.

 

You lost me, but sure raised my curiosity. Are you saying that you move the print server and printer or printers along with the laptops back and forth between two locations: one location having only dial up and the other having DSL and a wireless access point? And, if the answer is yes, what is handling your DHCP when you're in the dial-up location - I'm assuming you leave the access point or wireless router at the wireless DSL location.

I have two wired print servers, one RJ-45 wired network printer, one wireless access point and one wireless printer among other things on my home network, all with fixed IP addresses even though my router is handling DHCP. My laptop has no problem reaching any of several printers - wouldn't expect to because they are all on the same network. Now, if I physically move and say go to another location - folks place, I can just sign off my network, sign on to my Dad's and I can access all of his printers too (wireless laptop). Same with client locations, be they wired or wireless. Yeah, might have to configure/add printer at a strange location but I'm confused with your setup.

Enlighten me - I'm lost but mighty curious as this is not your every day situation.

edit:

No, you can assign a static IP to the print server used in a wireless environment and still use DHCP for your laptops to automatically assign their IP addresses.

Still confused

 

you guys dont know what your talking about!! ofcource you can make a "Script" but its acutally a program that drops Ip and then picks up a new one and auto locates all the printers in the network. This program can be picked up off the net I cant remember the name sorry.


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So enlighten us, oh Brilliant One .........

 

I'm vaguely familiar with a program that can do this part, I think its called Windows.

 

I guess I should say that the laptops are not networked together, they just share one wireless printer.

9 laptops, One printer, one wireless printer server, dial-up, all at one location. (DSL not available there) Printer stays at that location.

Across the street, DSL is available but since the 9 laptops are setup to use the wireless printer server they cannot connect to the DSL

I go into the wireless settings, remove the static IP, take them out of ad-hoc, let them find the IP automatically, then I can get a connection to the internet.

If I don't go through this process I get a page not found and no internet or email.

I don't know how I can explain it any better. I just want to find an easier way to do all of this, so I don't have to do the same thing on 9 different laptops whenever we change locations. I can't afford to buy 9 more laptops.

 

Not sure here but try this with one laptop. Assign a static IP and make sure both workgroups (each side of the street) bear the same name. Now, walk that laptop back and forth (clean boot whenever you enter a new location) - Any luck?

Newt is the guy that can answer all your questions in this regard - will probably have you get a repeater or an antenna so you have everything working all the time regardless of which side of the street your on.

 

I've got a nice fix for your problem but with no response in 2+ weeks, I'll can it.

 

2+ weeks...wow, where did it go. Seems no matter what I try, the settings are global and have to be changed back and forth. I think I need a script file so all I have to do is hit an icon and it makes the changes for me.
What I've had to do is change settings for them after each visit. I even tried the two different users accounts but it did not work either.

You have a fix??? What is it?

 

Like I said, Can it .......

 

It is not that I want to get DSL at both locations, it is that I want to be able to do both with my "static ad-hoc mode printer settings ".

 

If both locations are setup on the same network and your wireless print server is also on the same network and all laptops are are on the same network, everything works fine and no one has to do anything except the job they were hired to do. They can even work while walking back and forth between the two locations and they can print to any printer they want to, regardless of where they are.

This is no longer difficult unless you want it to be difficult.

 

This is the problem as I see it: You have two networks. One is statically addressed (and has a printer), the other uses dynamic IP addressing. When you move from the static network to the dynamic network you have to re-assign the IP addressing before you can access the internet - which makes sense as you will need to be on the same network as your DSL router and have it as the default gateway. When you move from the dynamic network to the static network you have to reassign IP addresses before you can access the printer.

The "right" solution.
I believe is the one I suggested originally. Install a device on the "static" network that will dynamically assign IP addresses (have a look at the printer server config - it might have this functionality; or buy a cheap Wireless Access Point and use it as a basic DHCP server). Then use a batch file that contains these two commands:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

To reassign IP addresses when you move between networks.

The "wrong" solution
And probably the one I would go for! Change the dynamic network to use static IP addresses and use the same IP addressing scheme at both sites. This way the laptops will think both networks are the same network. You may have to fiddle with your IE settings to tell it to use dial-up networking at the original static site, and LAN for internet access at the original dynamic site.

I think I know what you're next question will be - "how do I statically configure the Wireless DSL router?" We should be able to step you through the basics if you need to be guided.

Another option is to set up the printer at the "static" site to use the same addressing space as the dynamic network. Can you give us an IP address on each network? Thinking about it, that might be even easier.

I think the "disabling the printer to get internet access" is a red herring. The problem is IP addressing.

 

ReggieB

If he has wireless DSL available to the laptops at location A, then he has an access point. With the antennae I linked to at $39 available to him, he can put the wireless print server on the same network even though its across the streeet at location B. Everything can be on one network and that gives each laptop DSL service and the printserver connection regardless of which side of the street its on. Again, the only thing standing in the way is an interest in doing it. Nothing else is required.

Did you check out that cantennae link?

 

I've seen antennae giving connections in the order of kilometers. Needs line of site, but you can do a lot with a wireless AP.

However, I don't think he needs to do that if he doesn't want to.

 

OK, the reason the printer server is in ad hoc mode is because there is no access point. If I set up a router to act as an access point for the printer server that will get me out of ad hoc and maybe solve the problem. What do you think. The antennae would be impractical because across the street is about a quarter mile away.

What I am looking for is a script file, to put as an icon on the desktop, to change the settings easily.

 

I think ReggieB has the answer more in line with what you are looking to do and would suggest you follow his suggestions.

Don't read this the wrong way because the above is my best advice on a subject I know way too little about to be dispensing advice. Having said that, if it was me, I'd throw a signal booster on the current access point and add at least one and maybe two cantenna's so that both locations had wireless DSL and use of not only the print server, but anything and everything on the network. A quarter of a mile certainly isn't an insurmountable distance but you'd need to button down your security too.

Good luck - I'll bite my tongue from this point forth.