Need help with USB print-sharing on Windows XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scott Speck
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Scott Speck

Hello Everyone,

My wife and I each have a PC running Windows XP. We're currently
using our respective ethernet ports to connect to an ethernet hub to
which we have also connected a cable modem.

However, both of our pc's have spare USB ports. Can I run a USB
cable from each computer to a USB hub, then connect a USB printer
to that same USB hub to enable me to share the printer between the
two computers? Or is there some better way to do this via the USB
interface?

I've received advice that I should NOT try to network the two PC's
via the ethernet hub, since the cable modem is connected to that same
hub, thus making any such network vulnerable to the outside world.

I would appreciate any help on this matter.
Thanks very much,
Scott Speck
 
You need a router rather than a simple hub. The router works as a hub as
well as plugging into the cable modem. Routers have hardware firewalls to
protect against hackers. Usually you can also run a software firewall. The
USB printer can be plugged into either computer and used as a network
printer. Alternatively a printserver can be plugged into the router so that
both computers do not have to be turned on to use the printer. There are a
few routers out there that have a built in USB print server.
 
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