Hello, I am working in a small research center in Greece, where nobody knows much about networking, and a sketchy computer guy comes to set up stuff and disappear occasionally. We have a network problem, and I would love to hear some suggestions. We are using a single ADSL connection between all of us. Some are hardwired, and others are networked wirelessly. We have no dedicated central server of any sort; the computer guy connected the printers (IP and non-IP) to a particular desktop, and made a workgroup. So Windows users look for a workgroup when adding a printer, and Mac users just find the "Bonjour" (IP) printer (and just don't mess with the other one, except for me since I know how). So the situation is, network printing is down when this particular laptop is turned off. The issue here is, anytime somebody prints, it appears that the entire wireless network drops during the process. It is almost as though the printing command has some sort of priority over any other connection, and temporarily disables everything. Is this possible? If so, what would be the workaround? Is the "workgroup" the issue, or the way the network is set up? Can I change the system without purchasing anything, or making a small purchase? I'm afraid I don't know further details, because the computer guy has the monopoly in this region (middle-of-nowhere in Greece), and won't tell me exactly how he set things up. Nobody else here knows anything about computers, and are relying on me. Please help!

The issue here is, anytime somebody prints, it appears that the entire wireless network drops during the process. It is almost as though the printing command has some sort of priority over any other connection, and temporarily disables everything. Is this possible? It's likely that a big print job will basically hog all the available wireless bandwidth as it's transferring from the source to the printer. Wireless is never the best (or most reliable) solution. I imagine once the print job has transferred to the printer, normal bandwidth for wireless users resumes? If so, then that's likely the issue right there. Other than upgrading your wireless, or changing everyone over to wired connections there's not a lot you can do about it.

I see - that makes a lot of sense. The fastest available connection here is 1028 kbps - which is revolutionary here, but obviously not elsewhere that would set up a network connection for a large group... Thank you for your reply.