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Solved
Can I hook a legacy Ethernet Printer/Scanner/Copier to Orbi mesh network using a satellite unit?
Actual Model: Orbi RBK753S-100NAS, satellite:RBS750, AC4200 series (not in your choice menu). I have just ordered the 3 piece Orbi Tri-band and I was hoping that I could order an additonal satellite and connect our large business legacy Ricoh printer/copier/scanner to the satellite to join the network and be used by wireless and wired devices on the network. Right now it can only be accessed if you are connected on the wired part of the network, the wireless devices can't access it even though they are going to the same router(cable modem combo). Inshort the Ricoh has no wireless capabilities, but it does have an Ethernet connections. This is not a inexpensive home printer that is easily replaced, and we need the capabilities of this printer. Any suggestions or information would be helpful. Thank You, SusyH.
Glad it's working well now for you. Please mark your thread as solved so others will know.
Enjoy. :smileywink:
9 Replies
Can you clarify where the printer is connected? i.e. (a) to one of the LAN ports on the Orbi router or satellite, or (b) to a LAN port on the modem/router that the Orbi is connected to?
And, the wired devices that are able to print. What are they connected to?
CrimpOn wrote:Can you clarify where the printer is connected? i.e. (a) to one of the LAN ports on the Orbi router or satellite, or (b) to a LAN port on the modem/router that the Orbi is connected to?
And, the wired devices that are able to print. What are they connected to?
In addition, it would be useful to know the IP address currently assigned to:
- The printer
- Any of the 'wired' devices that is able to access the printer
- Any of the "WiFi" devices that is NOT able to access the printer.
Thanks
UPDATE: I was able to get the wired ethernet Ricoh to work on the system, but first I had to change the static IP address to one that is in the Orbi IP address ranges. The Ricoh installer had set it with a static IP address 11 years ago when it was installed (hence a very old but super nice printer, scanner, copier, fast laser that can print double sided, staple and use up to 11x17 paper.) However the old network that I replaced with the Orbi had a different IP address range. I found the range in the large Netgear manual on the product (that I downloaded BEFORE I took the network down and printed on the very same printer!) I found the former IP address on the printer in the properties of the printer software on the computers that used it. Thus I figured out why Orbi was't "talking" to Ricoh printer over the ethernet wiring.
I did call tech support with Netgear when I tried to add the printer to the network, but the young man obviously did not understand about static IP's as he keep yelling at me that the address is assigned by the router - which is true if it is an active, not a static address. What I asked him was about reserving the static address or bank of addresses as I had done in older networks so that the address would not be used in the DHCP server range he became quite agitated. The Netgear manual and the actual software available through the Orbi app (or through a web interface) do not match the instruction manual, hence my query on that point. Needless to say, I did not get an answer about reserving an address, however the number I assigned to the printer is way down in the range and we don't seem to have a problem.
In the meantime I was able to change the IP address in the printer by myself (I am a 73 year old computer Warrior!!!) and the Ricoh printer joined the wired network after a printer re-boot. Yeah to me for figuring all that out on my own! (Remember these things didn't exist for me during my college years and I was not formerely trained in networking - have had to learn the hardway.) I then reinstalled the printer with the latest drivers in the computers that use that printer. So it is now working on the ethernet hardwired network.
As for using a non-wifi printer via wifi. I found several add on devices that advertise they can hook to the ethernet outlet (there are others for USB ports) that could work. However, after writing to one company the tech support suggested that I bring the actual ethernet cable directly to main Orbi Router (which has 2 extra LAN line RJ45 jacks) rather than run from the switch to the Orbi Router. That, he suggested, should allow me to reach it wirelessly. I haven't tried that as yet as my husband's legacy computer works best on the ethernet connection and so I have to have my computer wired in tothe network to use it. When necessary (if the printer lasts that long), I will try to connect through the wifi signal from the Orbi mesh and see if I have found the solution on my own!
Therefore I would say at this point, unless someone actually has had experience with this variation that they wish to share, I have a workable method to continue to use our Ricoh printer, abeit through the ethernet cable.
My thanks to those who took the time to read my question and my responses,
Susan Harris
Be sure to visit the Orbi AX Forum for additional help and information.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/bd-p/en-home-orbi-ax
Yes you can connect wired periferals to the RBS
Good Luck.
SusyH wrote:Actual Model: Orbi RBK753S-100NAS, satellite:RBS750, AC4200 series (not in your choice menu). I have just ordered the 3 piece Orbi Tri-band and I was hoping that I could order an additonal satellite and connect our large business legacy Ricoh printer/copier/scanner to the satellite to join the network and be used by wireless and wired devices on the network. Right now it can only be accessed if you are connected on the wired part of the network, the wireless devices can't access it even though they are going to the same router(cable modem combo). Inshort the Ricoh has no wireless capabilities, but it does have an Ethernet connections. This is not a inexpensive home printer that is easily replaced, and we need the capabilities of this printer. Any suggestions or information would be helpful. Thank You, SusyH.
SusyH wrote:Right now it can only be accessed if you are connected on the wired part of the network, the wireless devices can't access it even though they are going to the same router(cable modem combo).
Yes, ethernet-only devices should be able to connect to an Orbi satellite and appear to other devices connected to other Orbi satellites or the Orbi base. It is a single network with connectivity between everything (except when some problemmatic devices are used, like specific switches).
However, please explain why in your current setup your wireless devices cannot access the Ricoh. If you are using your cable modem+router then anything wired to it should be accessible wireless devices connect to the wifi from your cable modem+router (since it is a single network shared between its wired and wireless devices). There may be something specific to the Ricoh printer and its config that is preventing your current wireless devices from accessing the printer, even when they are on the same network, and switching to the Orbi will not change that.
