We have two printers USB connected printers to a BELKIN USB HUB that is connected to a LINKSYS router. We would like to have the printer to be independent of the two desktops and on laptop. The hub has an IP address that we think services the two printers. Currently, the laptop must go through one of the desktop, that must be active for it to have access to a printer. Can and how do you assign IP addresses to the printers or does it depend on the printer's capability to have this IP address capability? We our printers are EPSON's Stylus, one photo R1800 and the other CX1500. ellis-ttfn

To do what you want the printer must have network print server built in you connected through a external print server. Something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-PS1... However from the way you describe it it looks as if the router may have a print server built in; some do. In that case it looks more like a configuration problem. If the desktop can use the printers through the router there is no reason why the laptops shouldn't. If that is so it is unlikely it would be able to service two printers simultaneously. BTW: USB hubs do not have an IP address. The IP address you refer to is probably that of the router. This is were the model number of the router would be useul. A definative answere would be available without having to guess. Stuart

No, the router (LinkSys) does not have a print serve component. All PCs gain access to the outside world through it. I do know it has a range of IP addresses available to be assigned. We thought we could assign IP address provided by the router to our printers, but we are unable for now to do so. The HUB has it's IP address provided by the router to service to the two printers. ellis-ttfn

Here is the HUB being being used http://www.belkin.com/networkusbhub/ ellis-ttfn

The Network USB Hub appears to have inbuilt printserver functionality. In my only previous experience with network printservers,( I had a netgear router with inbuilt printserver) it was necessary to instal specific software in each client PC as well as the drivers for the printer. Belkin may do it differently but I suspect you will have received a software disk with user manual for the Belkin and the answers you need are in there. Goin' Fishin' (Some day)