Adding a wireless printer to network: separate LAN?

[Dngrsone]

I am trying to set up a laser printer via Wi-Fi, but my current access point uses a newer authentication method than the printer can handle.

I do have an older router that I could plug in and put all my printers on, but I am wondering if I should set up a separate LAN for this. My current firewalll does have an unused 100Mbps Ethernet port on it (the current WAN and LAN ports are 1000Mbps).

Would I have to set up routing so that my regular LAN devices can print to/scan from the printers?

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[bartjsmit]

There is no reason to segment your network to overcome different WiFi protocols. You can connect your legacy WiFi to pretty much anything on your LAN; a switch, a spare firewall port, or a spare port on your new access point.

If the printer has an ethernet or a USB port, you could also set up a Raspberry Pi or suchlike as a printer server and connect that to the new WiFi; effectively upgrading the WiFi of the printer. USB is a bit trickier since you need a print/scan service on the Pi.

What is the make/model of your printers?

Bart...

[Dngrsone]

I have a Brother HL-L2380DW mono laser, which is the one that doesn't like my AP, anger a Canon chiller inkjet which connects fine.

I haven't run any cable yet: new house (to me, it's a 20 yr old doublewide, well insulated underneath) and I haven't even decided where my firewall, etc are going to reside yet.


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[bartjsmit]

The Raspberry Pi route will work with your setup: https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-wifi-bridge/ You'll need a crossover ethernet cable or a switch if you want to connect other equipment near your Brother.

Running the old WiFi router as an AP is cheapest but you may have channel congestion from your neighbours. Mind switch off the DHCP server, so there is only one on the network segment.

Bart...