Networking solution with print server, long range and wanna-be NAS. Ok?

[delanvital]

I am trying to find a good gigabit router for work. We also need to share some printers, including an old parallel printer. There are also desires for a NAS-solution, but I am to try and make it somewhat cheap.

My solution so far:

WNDR3700 Router
Since the USB-port supports proper sharing of a USB-drive which is a contrast to many out there. Sadly, it does not support printer-sharing via the USB-port. However - since we have that parallel printer, I figured I would just get a cheap print server with USB 2.0 and parallel in it.

This way we can have our own wireless gigabit network, with strong range, with the option to share a HDD or pen via USB, while also having access to the parallel and USB-printer

Am I all wrong here?

[Claw]

well yes and no,

you won't have gigabit whireless..

you will have gigabit lan and wan port, the N network will deliver you 103mbps whireless but your old G hardware cannot communicate with it,

NOTICE. YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY N WHIRELESS ADAPTERS UNLESS YOUR HARDWARE HAS IT...

- claw

[delanvital]

well yes and no,

you won't have gigabit whireless..

you will have gigabit lan and wan port, the N network will deliver you 103mbps whireless but your old G hardware cannot communicate with it,

NOTICE. YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY N WHIRELESS ADAPTERS UNLESS YOUR HARDWARE HAS IT...

- claw

Speeds and compatibility - Thanks, but I am not concerned with the speeds. My concern is whether this is viable solution or not...

[GhostMjr]

I heard N routers can allow G and below connections but the connection isn't as good as it was with a G router.

So it will work but the performance has been skimped on as the routers primary function is to provide high end N capability rather than backward compatibility with older kit.

[b00n]

Sounds like a viable solution to me.  Not sure if a print server with USB and parallel port would be cheap, but I know that USB only print servers are pretty cheap and your parallel printer can be taken care of by something like this: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=322

However if you can get something that combines the two for the same price, go for it.

Personally I'd be tempted (if planning to have NAS in regular use) to go for a NAS enclosure with an ethernet interface.

At my old work we persuaded the boss to bin the old gear and get a network attached MFD and a little NAS enclosure, but then we only needed the one printer and having a scanner/fax on the network was attractive too.

EDIT: if you check the technology section (I think) I believe someone recently posted a NAS enclosure offer where you got a free 500gb hard drive with it, if that's any help.

[kregoron]

I heard N routers can allow G and below connections but the connection isn't as good as it was with a G router.

So it will work but the performance has been skimped on as the routers primary function is to provide high end N capability rather than backward compatibility with older kit.

correct, 802.11n (MIMO) gear is backward compatible with B/G, so there will be no need to buy new Wireless netcards to replace the old.

[suicidal_monkey]

I recently bought a netgear readynas 2xxx (i forget the exact model, basically the non-rackmount home use one) which came with a claim form for a free 500gb drive (took several weeks to get it but i do now have my free drive! I must update that thread...)

I've got one 1tb drive in it at the moment. It takes 2 drives which it'll mirror as a backup.

It has an ethernet connection and also a few usb ports, one of which should be for a usb printer port although i've not tried that feature yet. The media streaming works well to pc, netbook and ps3 though :-)