If you want to use one printer with multiple computers, you can set up a wireless or wired local area network (LAN). A wired network is more secure but is also more difficult to set up. A wireless network is more convenient to create and allows you to be in different places throughout the house more easily but poses the risk that unauthorized people may intercept your transmissions or access your data. How you want to move around the house will likely be the determining factor—do you do your computing in fixed locations? Wired might work for you. Do you like to be wherever you want to be from inside the house to outside in the garden? No wires for you.

If you want to know more about wireless security, read our article, "Keep Your Wireless Network Safe and Secure".

Creating your network

To create a home or small office network, you need a network router which can be found at any electronics store for anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the features. If you select a wireless router, you will need to install a wireless access point on every computer on your network.

Connect the wireless router directly to the network interface card (NIC) with Ethernet cable. If you have cable or DSL Internet service, attach your modem's Ethernet cable to the back of the router. You'll get the best speeds and function out of Wireless N network equipment. This wireless standard has more range and speed than standards such as Wireless B and G, yet is backwards compatible with both. A wired network requires a router, but network access points are not necessary. Simply make sure that you have a NIC installed on each computer in the workgroup. A wired router connects to the computer in the same way as a wireless router. Run Ethernet cable through the walls or attic. Plug one Ethernet cable into the NIC on each computer in your network and you're in business.

See if your printer is network ready

If you have an old printer, you should check the user manual or manufacturer's Web site to see if it can be networked. If it can't, you will have to replace it. Before you purchase a new printer, make sure that it has networking capabilities. You can find out whether or not a printer is network ready by checking the manufacturer's specifications. Attach your printer to the primary computer in your network and install its software. Turn on all the computers in your network and turn on your printer. Turn on your modem and make sure you're connected to the Internet.

Add your printer in Windows XP*

Log on to the primary network computer as an administrator. Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections. Click Network Setup Wizard. Select your Internet sharing preferences. Continue paging through the dialog boxes until you reach File and printer sharing. Check the box beside Turn on file and printer sharing. Continue clicking Next until the Network Setup Wizard is complete. Run the wizard on all of the other computers on your network and turn on file and printer sharing on each.

Click Start > Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware. Click Printers and Faxes. In the Printers folder, select your printer. Click Share this Printer in the left pane. Check the name that's been assigned to your printer and change it if necessary. Make a note of the name for future reference. Click OK.

Get on one of the computers on your network. Click Start > Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware. Then click Add a Printer. In the Add Printer Wizard, click A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer. Then browse for and select your printer, and finish the wizard.

Add your printer in Windows Vista*

If your network is wireless, click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet. Select the Network and Sharing Center. Click Set up a connection or network in the left pane. Click Set up a wireless router or access point. Set your network location type to Private. Turn on network discovery, file and printer sharing. Follow the instructions given by the wizard to add other computers to your network. If your network is wired, you don't need to run a wizard to set up your configuration.

Click Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Printers. Click Add a printer. When the Add Printer Wizard starts, click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth* printer. Select your printer from the list and click Next. Finish the wizard.

Add your printer in Mac OS*

To add an AppleTalk* printer in Mac OS, go to the Apple Menu and click System Preferences. Click the Network icon. Select Built-in Ethernet in the Show menu and select the AppleTalk tab. Click the check box next to Make AppleTalk Active and click Apply Now. Click View > Show Printer List. Click the Add Printer button and select your printer from the list. Click Add and close the window.

To add an LPR printer, click View > Show Printer List > Add Printer. Enter the LPR printer's IP address. Make sure the box next to Use Default Queue on Server is checked. Select the printer model in the drop-down menu. Click Add and close the window.

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Content by Jennifer Claerr.