Is this possible (Printer shared between 2 networks)

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Brandon Burrows

Honorable
Jul 13, 2013
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Hello all. I have 2 questions, ill try and describe in detail, hope to hear something back.

1)

Epson WF-3520 wont install on via USB on Windows 10 (This seems to be a problem all around). Tried uninstalling and wiping all old drivers from system then grabbed the Win10 Drivers for the printer. I go through the install process. Get to the point where it asks me to connect the USB to the printer and the Computer. Do so, but the 'Next' Button never lights up.

We know the printer works, all the cords work, as it has no problems printing in Windows 7 Machines. There is a way to do this, as Ive seen this work on a Windows 10 device, but the person couldnt remember how they had to fight to get it set up.

2)
Building with 2 Separate networks. 2 Cable lines running into building, each with its own static IP, and a Router, Server backbone behind each one. Both companies are in the same building. One company is a 'child' of the other.

We'll call the main company 'A', and the child company 'B' (They are split for legal reasons involving shared file access and server access)

They are wanting to share a printer. The Printer is part of 'A'. Is there any way that the computers on 'B' are able to print to the printer. We are trying to avoid having getting a new printer for them, or constantly switching networks just to print.

As I said, 'A' and 'B' have their own independent network backbones, and I know that obviously the computers on 'B' will not inherently see the printer on network 'A', but I am curious to know if there is a way that this can be done. Printer is connected via hard-line to network 'A'
 
Solution
B
I wanted to go ahead and answer my own questions, since with some experimenting, I realized a way to do it, and incase anyone else has this problem.

For Question 2:

IF both lines are on a Static IP -> Access the Router, and thru both Firewall and Port Forwarding, set up a rule that allows passthrough from the 'B' Static IP (Firewall Rule), and the Print Port (In my case happened to be 9100, I know some printers differ). This allowed me to just changed the Printer Properties -> Ports -> Configure Port and change the Address Line to the STATIC IP of 'A'.

So PC on Network 'B' Prints. Sends information to the Printer, which sends the information to the IP of Network A, which hits the router. Router sees information coming from Network...
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boosted1g

Titan
Jun 12, 2013
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It is possible but the juice is not worth the squeeze so to speak.

If for legal reasons there is no sharing of files/servers allowed and both buildings had to have their own internet/networks instead of pooling resources then your only options are remote desktop and VPN which would completely compromise the entire segregation of networks/resources.

The only workaround I can think of is to create a gmail account and use google cloud print. This naturally comes with its own security concerns.
 
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B

Brandon Burrows

Honorable
Jul 13, 2013
5
0
10,520
I wanted to go ahead and answer my own questions, since with some experimenting, I realized a way to do it, and incase anyone else has this problem.

For Question 2:

IF both lines are on a Static IP -> Access the Router, and thru both Firewall and Port Forwarding, set up a rule that allows passthrough from the 'B' Static IP (Firewall Rule), and the Print Port (In my case happened to be 9100, I know some printers differ). This allowed me to just changed the Printer Properties -> Ports -> Configure Port and change the Address Line to the STATIC IP of 'A'.

So PC on Network 'B' Prints. Sends information to the Printer, which sends the information to the IP of Network A, which hits the router. Router sees information coming from Network 'B' sends to the Port that was designated within the rules (9100), and printer now prints :)
 
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