ASDL ROUTER

[bivvyman]

I have A Netgear Router DG834 , all 4 ports are used , I need to connect printers to the network ( to increase speed) can I use one of the ports to connect to another Netgear Router gaining extra ports ?

Regards

[gwendes]

The easiest way to add ports to the router is to connect a network switch see these (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/dirresults.html?d=HKC0&s=switch) with standard straigh-through network cable.

[bivvyman]

Assuming I purchase a Netgear GS605 5-Port Gigabit Ethernat Switch, where does it go in my existing network ? Sorry for appearing thick but currently dont understand

REgards

[gwendes]

Simply plug the switch into a free port on the router you will have extra ports available. For a gigabit switch you will need gigabit cards on the networked computers for the high speed connection.

[bivvyman]

Thanks for info looks like Novatech 8 Port 10/100 Switch would be more suitable as i have "standard" network cards

last question - what cable spec do i need to connect printer & scanner to the network , currently they are USB linked to one computer on the network

Regards

[gwendes]

If these are not network devices then you are best to leave them attached to one machine and share them through Windows printer sharing. There is no scanner sharing built into Windows but third party software is available.

This (http://www.capturix.com/default.asp?target=consumer&product=css) software can share a scanner, please have a look on google for other solutions.

Please note that Novatech are unable to support the software above.

[bivvyman]

I'll forget sharing the scanner . Currently the printers are shared through windows print sharing BUT they take an age to start printing - Which network printer is suggested - simply printing invoices / emails / word docs etc .

Another alternative might be to put in faster network cards - which solution is preferable

Regards

[gwendes]

There are too many variables in this. There is no particular reason why sharing the printer would lead to slow printing unless you are transferring very large documents or there is a problem with the network. If it is taking a long time to /start/ this could be down to warm up time for the printer.