Hands-On Tech 212: Connecting an Ethernet Printer to a Mesh Network

Summary

Hands-On Tech 212: Connecting an Ethernet Printer to a Mesh Network

Release Date: April 20, 2025
Host: Leo Laporte
Podcast Series: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)

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Introduction

In Episode 212 of Hands-On Tech, host Leo Laporte addresses a practical listener question about integrating a traditional Ethernet printer into a modern mesh network setup. This episode delves into the challenges of connecting legacy devices to advanced networking systems and provides actionable solutions for tech enthusiasts facing similar issues.

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Listener's Printer Connectivity Challenge

Timestamp [02:46]:
Leo welcomes listeners and introduces the week's question from Kevin:

"I have a mesh network at home, but before I used conventional Wi-Fi and could not connect to a printer not connected to Wi-Fi. So I used a powerline adapter to make this connection. Now that I have a mesh network, I am looking for a solution to connect via an Ethernet cable. I have another EERO add-on available, but I don't think it allows a wired connection to this add-on extender. What device do you recommend that will allow a connection to the printer?"
— Kevin

Kevin's situation highlights a common issue where older peripherals, like Ethernet printers, struggle to integrate seamlessly with contemporary mesh networking systems.

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Understanding Mesh Networks and EERO Devices

Timestamp [03:10]:
Leo begins by explaining the intricacies of mesh networks, particularly focusing on EERO systems:

"When it comes to mesh networking, yes, depending on the brand that you choose to go with, you may or may not have access to some more ethernet ports on the back of the kind of other beacons that you place around your home."
— Leo Laporte

He clarifies that EERO devices often feature one or two Ethernet ports, facilitating both wireless and wired backhaul connections. This setup ensures a more robust network by reducing reliance on Wi-Fi signals alone.

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Connecting Third-Party Devices to EERO Networks

Timestamp [04:05]:
Leo emphasizes the flexibility of EERO systems:

"The good news is EERO doesn't need you to only use EERO devices as access points in your home. You can use third-party access points with an EERO router."
— Leo Laporte

He shares a personal anecdote about connecting a wireless printer using an older Apple Airport Extreme, demonstrating that third-party routers can effectively integrate with EERO networks to support legacy devices.

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Recommended Solution: TP-Link AC 1200 Wi-Fi Extender

Timestamp [06:51]:
Transitioning to the solution, Leo recommends a specific device:

"The good news is TP-Link, among others, provides a really inexpensive and also, might I add, Wire Cutter recommended device, which is the TP-Link AC 1200 Wi-Fi extender."
— Leo Laporte

He details the benefits of the TP-Link AC 1200 extender, including its affordability and reliability. Available on Amazon, the device features an Ethernet port ideal for connecting Kevin's printer, ensuring it remains accessible within the mesh network.

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Implementation and Best Practices

Timestamp [07:30]:
Leo offers practical advice on setting up the extender:

"You take your printer and you would connect it to the side of this TP-Link extender and then you would have access in your Mesh EERO home to be able to use that printer on your network."
— Leo Laporte

He cautions against using the extender for multiple devices, recommending it solely for the printer to maintain optimal network performance. Additionally, Leo suggests naming the extender's network separately to prevent device confusion and enhance connectivity stability.

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Final Recommendations and Encouragement

Timestamp [10:15]:
Concluding his advice, Leo reinforces the effectiveness of the proposed solution:

"This is not for that. It is for that in a home where no other option is available. But my point is, I don't recommend using this as an extender if you have a better solution and you do so specifically for the sake of turning your printer into a wirelessly accessed printer."
— Leo Laporte

He encourages Kevin and other listeners to implement the TP-Link extender solution, expressing confidence in its ability to resolve connectivity issues without reverting to less efficient methods like powerline adapters.

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Engagement and Community Support

Timestamp [11:50]:
Leo invites listeners to engage further:

"Kevin, thank you for writing in with your question. Love getting a printer question. I know I can answer and look forward to hearing how this solution worked out for you."
— Leo Laporte

He also promotes Club Twit, a membership offering ad-free content, exclusive discussions on Discord, and access to all TWiT shows, encouraging listeners to join for enhanced tech support and community interaction.

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Conclusion

Episode 212 of Hands-On Tech provides a comprehensive guide to integrating Ethernet-dependent printers into EERO mesh networks, combining expert advice with practical recommendations. Leo Laporte effectively addresses Kevin's query, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution while fostering community engagement through ongoing support channels.

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For more tech insights and solutions, tune into future episodes of Hands-On Tech on TWiT.tv.

Transcript

[Leo Laporte]

Coming up on Hands on Tech, We've got a printer question and I will be answering it. Stay tuned. This is twit.

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[Leo Laporte]

Hello and welcome to Hands On Tech, the show where you write in with your questions and I answer them. I mean, that's really all there is to it. I am pleased to say that this week features a question about printers and I am pleased to say I can answer it very easily. So this question comes in from Kevin. Kevin writes in to say, I have a mesh network at home, but before I used conventional WI Fi and could not connect to a printer not connected to WI Fi. So I used a powerline adapter to make this connection. Now that I have a mesh network, I am looking for a solution to connect via an ethernet cable. I have another EERO add on available, but I don't think it allows a wired connection to this add on extender. What device do you recommend that will allow a connection to the printer? So when it comes to mesh networking, yes, depending on the brand that you choose to go with, you may or may not have access to some more ethernet ports on the back of the kind of other beacons that you place around your home. There are. It is often the case that there will be one or two on those extenders on those, those beacons because EERO likes to provide what's called wireless or wired backhaul, which essentially gives you the ability to, if you have it, run ethernet to each of those extenders from the main mesh node. I keep calling them extenders, they're not technically extenders, but let's just go with nodes and give or access points is probably the best bet. So from the main router to these access points and in doing so the connection there is is a little bit more robust because it's not just pulling the signal from WI FI and then trying to repeat that signal or extend that signal over WI fi. But if you have extenders that are, that don't have an ethernet port, well then you have an issue if you have a device like Kevin's printer that requires an actual wired connection. The good news is EERO doesn't need you to only use EERO devices as access points in your home. You can use third party access points with an EERO router. And in fact, in the past I had a printer that was still wireless, but it required that really old school WI FI protected access where you would hit the little button on the side of the router and it would temporarily kind of make your network available to connect to without a password and then let different devices connect to your router. So I had an Apple and now I'm forgetting Airport Extreme that I had connected to my EERO network. And its sole purpose was to give this printer access to my network. And that's because in the Airport utilities app I was able to turn on that WI FI protected access option for a moment to be able to connect to the printer to it. So all of that is to say I have tested this before and it does work. You can connect a third party router or extender or whatever it happens to be to make this happen.

[Megan Morrone]

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[Leo Laporte]

The good news is TP Link, among others, provides a really inexpensive and also, might I add, wire cutter recommended device, which is the TP link AC 1200 wi fi extender. This device is available currently on Amazon. It's half off, so it's $27 and there's also a $5 off coupon so you can get it for not much at all. And it plugs into a wall and then you use its built in system to be able to connect it to your existing WI FI network and then it has an ethernet port on the side and that ethernet port is specifically for being able to connect a device to it. So Kevin, in this case you would take your printer and you would connect it to the side of this TP Link extender and then you would have access in your Mesh EERO home to be able to use that printer on your network. So again, it sounds like your printer is from an age when the WI FI connectivity was not built in and therefore requires that physical connection. So this is your answer in the time of mesh networking. Very simple. And I highly, highly, highly recommend that you just keep this for the printer that you don't connect a bunch of other devices to this TP Link device. It is last year's yesteryear's WI FI connectivity and so it's not going to be a speedy connection. I would give it a name that is separate from the rest of your network so that your devices don't get confused about it and just let it be the way that your printer connects to your network and nothing else. Don't try to use it as an extension of your network for other devices because that's where the EERO access points come into play. They'll be doing that and letting all of your devices kind of move around in your home while you maintain that great connection. This is not for that. It is. I mean, it's for that in a home where no other option is available. But my point is, I don't recommend using this as an extender if you have a better solution and you do so specifically for the sake of turning your printer into a wirelessly accessed printer. That's what this can do. And then you don't have to use that power line which is what you had going before. Kevin, thank you for writing in with your question. Love getting a printer question. I know I can answer and look forward to hearing how this solution worked out for you. Um, I will. I'm gonna reach out over email if I don't know if you're watching live, but if you're not, then this is not gonna come to you until April 20th. So I am gonna reach out over email to Kevin for those listening to let him know so that that way he can hop on it while there's still a nice deal going on. Who knows how much it'll be by the time he hears this. So, Kevin, let us know how things go and look forward to hearing from you. To those of you who are tuning in live and to those of you who are tuning in after the fact on our YouTube channel, I want to tell you about Club Twit. Twit TV. Club Twit. For $7 a month you can join the club and you get to kick things off with a free two weeks. Yes, we have a two week trial, so you can kind of check it out, see if it's for you. I think you'll find it is. You can check out the Club Twit Discord, which is a fun place to go to chat with your fellow Club Twit members and those of us here at TWiT. You can also access every single one of our shows ad free, just the content, none of the ads, and the Twit plus bonus feed, plus so much more Twit tv. Club Twit is where you go to check it out and we'd love, love, love to have you. Thanks so much. All right, that is going to bring us to the end of this episode of Hands On Tech. If you have questions, be sure to reach out. Hotwit TV is how you get in to. I've loved getting these questions. There have been some really good ones coming in, so be sure to write in there. Hotwit tv that is that on this? And I will catch you again next week for another episode. Bye bye. No matter how much spare time you have, TWiT TV has the perfect tech news format for your schedule. Stay up to date with everything happening in tech and get tech news your way with TWiT TV. Start your week with this Week in Tech for an in depth, comprehensive dive into the top stories every week. And for a midweek boost, Tech News Weekly brings you concise, quick updates with the journalists breaking the news. Whether you need just the nuts and bolts or want the full analysis, stay informed with Twitt TV's perfect pairing of tech news programs.

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