Can I network a PC w/ Macs

[hooklahoma]

I have 4 g4's networked to a printer. I want a pc to share that printer as well. Will this work for just printer sharing?

 

[Clarence Iba]

If your printer is a network printer using an IP address to send to it, then I don't see how it could be a problem...assuming the printer is PC compatible, which almost all are.

 

[idigTexas]

To elaborate, is the printer connected directly to one of the Macs, which shares it with the other G4s, or is it connected to the network with an ethernet cable?

 

[hooklahoma]

printer is connected to an ethernet hub(along w/the three macs) . I just want to plog the pc into the hub so it can share the printer

 

[idigTexas]

Yes, you can do that as long as the printer is configured to use the TCP/IP protocol, and not just AppleTalk. The Macs will have no impact on the PCs ability to use the printer. This isn't a plug and play situation, though.

If the "hub" is really a router with a printer port, then your PC should be ok getting a valid IP address, but there are likely some drivers you will need to install for it to see the printer port, as well as some to drive the printer.

If your "hub" really is a hub or a switch, and your printer is connected with an ethernet cable rather than to a printer port, then you may need to manually configure TCP/IP on the PC if there isn't a DHCP server somewhere else on your network. You will need to check the TCP/IP settings on the printer, and configure your PC with an address in the same subnet. Once that is done, you will need to load printer drivers on the PC, and configure them to use a TCP/IP port for the device. Configure the port with the printer's IP address.

Configuring the TCP/IP port manually can sometimes be tricky. If there is an installation disk or file available, you are better off going that route. You'll still need to make sure that the printer and PC are on the same subnet first.