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

Summary

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Transcript

Leo Laporte (0:00)

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 (2:46)

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.

Summary