Can I share only a printer between 2 different networks? - No PC access

Question

We are sharing one same office space but on a different network. What I want to do is share only my printer between Network 1 and Network 2. I don't want to share any PCs.

Network Layouts

Network 1 ( my own )
Internet is on: 192.168.137.1
Firewall on: 192.168.137.3
Network IP: 192.168.137.120
Printer IP: 192.168.137.55

Network 2 ( where i want to share my printer )
Internet is on: 192.168.137.3
Network IP: 192.168.137.214

I was thinking of adding a extra switch or a wire between the two networks, but that will give access to my full network which I don't want to do. I am using Cannon Printer.

How can I do this?

Solution

Whether you can do this without a router between the networks depends on the NETMASK applied to the network.

Check your PC's network settings. As well as an IP address, you get a NETMASK that should normally be 255.255.255.0 indicating that all addresses from 192.168.137.1 to 192.168.137.254 are reachable without routing (0 and 255 are special addresses).

If that is the case, the printer only needs a single IP address and it will be accessible from both locations.

However, whether it can cope with output coming from two locations is another matter. It should if it is networked.

If the 0 in the example netmask given is some other number, then the two parts of the network may not be reachable without a router. Let us know what the netmask is for further help.

Incidentally, a switch would not help you as this only switches connections from one device to another on the same network ("hubs" were used before switches became cheaper). A router is what "routes" between networks.

If the printer is not natively networked, then it presumable is connected to a PC. The same rules apply as outlined above but applying then to the PC rather than the printer. In this case, the PC needs to share it's print queue. Windows desktop OS is capable of supporting up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Comments

[rtf]

Are these the actual IPs? They look like the same network...

[CharlieRB]

What model Cannon printer? Is is network ready?