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AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing
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AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Mar 29, 2015

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Page 1: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

AARP Tax-AideSonoma/Napa District

Bill Dornbush, TC

Guide to Printer Sharing

Page 2: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

This session

Copy of presentation is on the web site:http://www.aarpca2.org/tcreferences

Interactive – please Share your problems and solutionsYou may know 90% of this, but you may learn the 10%

that makes this season easierRevised based on comments during the discussion

Page 3: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

All methodsPLUS

Once configured, good for season as long as configuration doesn’t change

MINUSPrinter driver must be loaded on laptop for each printer

typeRight version for OS, bits (32/64)Those with personal laptops may have difficulty

switching between default printers – and networks

Page 4: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Types of sharingPrinter switch or networkLaptop server or printer serverWired or wirelessThere is as much that is the SAME between these

methods as there is DIFFERENT

Page 5: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Parallel Port Switch

ParallelSwitch

Page 6: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Parallel Port SwitchObsolete: many laptops and printers don’t have

parallel portsPLUS

No software or hardware changes neededNo network is required

MINUSYou must have parallel portsYou may need to operate switch to change laptopsCables are required – setup, safety issueLimited to 4 laptops per printer

Page 7: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

USB Port Switch

USB Switch

Page 8: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

USB Port SwitchObsolescent: There are better waysPLUS

Simple: No software or hardware changes are neededMINUS

You must operate switch to change laptopsYou must use the same USB port each time to avoid

duplicate printers in WindowsCables required – setup, safety issue

Use BLUE or GREEN MASKING tape to secure cables to floorLimited to 4 laptops per printer

Page 9: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Wired Network

Network Switch ??

Page 10: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Switch vs. RouterSwitch: Connects network devices together.

Routes packet from one device to another based on the data packet destination.

Cannot connect its LAN to another networkRouter: Switch and more:

Has a gateway to the Internet or another LANMay provide DHCP server, firewallMay provide wireless access point

Page 11: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Wired NetworkLaptop hosts printer, orPrinter Server hosts printerGreat choice for Client/Server TaxWisePLUS

No network configuration neededSecure and stableNetwork manages print queue

(all network configurations)MINUS

Requires (router or switch) and cablesPotential safety hazard

Page 12: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Wireless Network

??

Page 13: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Wireless NetworkLaptop hosts printer, orPrinter Server hosts printerPLUS

No cablesEasier setup of site each session

MINUSRequires router (dedicated or Quetec type)Must configure each network deviceNetwork may not be stable or may experience interference

Try using other WiFi channels than the default 6 (set on router)Security issues

Best practice: Use best encryption available WPA2 -> WPA -> WEP

Page 14: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

WEP/WPA Security

WEP security has been cracked: For 50% of cases, in one minuteFor 95% of cases, in two minutes

WPA security has been cracked, but it takes a lot longer

WPA2 security has not yet been crackedTo improve security:

Turn off SSID broadcasting Use MAC security as well

Page 15: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Laptop Server (wired/wireless)

Page 16: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Two-laptop network

NetworkCrossoverCable

USBCable

Page 17: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Laptop serverApplies for both wired and wirelessLaptop serving printer may be different from laptop

serving TaxWise or networkPLUS

No additional hardware neededMINUS

Laptop must be present at each sessionSetup may be tricky due to laptop:

printer sharing security issues: Windows, firewallLoad right OS/bit version of driver from server laptop to client

laptop

Page 18: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Printer Server

Server

Page 19: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Printer server Printer server can be wired or wireless

Network can be wireless and printer server can be wired Some routers include printer server via USB port

Both USB and parallel port models are available Printer server can be built-in to printer Network can be wired or wireless PLUS

Not dependent on laptop, so setup is easier: no security issues because of laptop

MINUS Extra device (printer server) needed Configuration is a little different, uses “Standard TCP/IP Port” Built-in may not be usable with future versions of Windows

Page 20: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Daily startup for wireless printingInsert and/or enable wireless adaptorConnect to the wireless networkCheck default printer for Windows is set to the

site printerCheck default printer for TaxAide is set to the site

printerPrint a test page

If you only use your laptop for TaxAide, your settings should not change from session to session. Otherwise, CHECK EVERY TIME.

Page 21: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

What if it doesn’t print?Is everything plugged in?Did you change any software on your laptop? A new

version of your firewall or security software, for example.Try disabling your firewall and try again

Try printing from another application to WindowsIf you can print from another application, check the

TaxWise setup

Page 22: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Network RouterCheck the site router (box or laptop)Make sure that Status and WLAN lights are blinking (if

this site has a router based network). If this site uses one laptop as the router, check its

status (Quetec > Manager > Tools > Status)

Page 23: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Network SecurityCheck that your wireless security is set properly (how

to do this varies by type of laptop and network adaptor, usually right-click on Wireless Network Icon in System Tray and select Status > Properties.)SSID: carol (NOT Tax…)Network authentication: OpenData encryption: WEP/WPA/WPA2Network key: taxaidetaxaid (or similar 13 characters)

Page 24: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

What else?Laptop hosting shared printer – Make sure it is on the

network. When you position the mouse pointer over the Wireless Network Connection icon in the system tray (lower right of the computer screen), you will see a message like “Wireless Network Connection (carol), status connected.”

If the laptop hosting the shared printer has Firewall software, confirm that the firewall allows access to the shared printer. To see the firewall settings, use:

Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center

Page 25: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

Shared printerShared printer – in the

Printers window, it must have the “shared hand” symbol at the bottom of the printer icon

Page 26: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

If all else fails…Turn off all devicesPower up in sequence:

RouterLaptop/Server hosting printerPrinterYour laptop

Page 27: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

RecommendationsSet up and configure printer sharing arrangement

BEFORE the first day of counselingInstall printer drivers before distributing laptopsIf wireless network, install wireless adaptors before

distributing laptopsPrepare your sites for wireless problems – they will

probably experience at least one during the seasonTrain them on how to troubleshootUse one person at each site as contact so that they will

acquire experience troubleshooting with you

Page 28: AARP Tax-Aide Sonoma/Napa District Bill Dornbush, TC Guide to Printer Sharing.

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