Tech Forum

Folks, or those with more church policy knowledge, please check me on this. My brain is a bit scattered.

I have a Stake center where a new B405 was installed and they would like to be able to print to it remotely on the building network and be able to access it or print to it from their cell phones and other devices while in the building. It is currently connected via ethernet. They are thinking that if they purchase the wireless adapter, they could connect it to the church wifi system and print to it that way, however- I see a red flag there as the wifi network requires credentials to log into it and refreshes every 24 hours or so and what not.

Is there a proper way that can be utilized to print remotely to this printer? Perhaps setting it up on a separate wireless router (configured PROPERLY so as to not interfere with the existing church equipment) for the Stake offices area only?

Thank you for your time.

RyanGard1977 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:08 pm They are thinking that if they purchase the wireless adapter, they could connect it to the church wifi system and print to it that way, however- I see a red flag there as the wifi network requires credentials to log into it and refreshes every 24 hours or so and what not.

The stake technology specialist is able to set up certain devices so that they will bypass the splash screen. I am not sure what other issues you may find. I do not think you will be able to restrict printing just to the stake folks, though.

RyanGard1977 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:08 pm It is currently connected via ethernet.

It sounds like it's already connected to the network. Wired devices don't encounter the splash screen. In the past, when I've scanned the network using Fing from my cell phone, I've seen ward computers and printers. So I don't think there's a filter between wired and wireless.

I don't think adding the wireless card is going to help - especially if you just connect it to church network.

What may be an issue is the device might be assigned a random IP when it's turned on. That might present an issue with the devices finding the printer since the address keeps changing every week.

The stake technology specialist can assign the printer a fixed IP so it's always at the same address.

russellhltn wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:33 pm In the past, when I've scanned the network using Fing from my cell phone, I've seen ward computers and printers. So I don't think there's a filter between wired and wireless.

You're correct. Everyone is on the same happy LAN. The problem stems from people who don't know HOW to connect to a network printer without WiFi or Bluetooth. It's possible, (at least for Android), but it takes going into settings and clicking on the printing service to see available printers. Not steps most people are familiar with. (Maybe that's a good thing? )

I know your printer/copier supports Apple AirPrint, but that most likely requires the WiFi card. Can iOS devices print to it without AirPrint? Probably, with a Xerox app of some sort. AirPrint is driverless and just works. That's what folks are looking for.

When we received a Xerox B405 for our meetinghouse library, I did not know there was an unused hot RJ-45 jack in the satellite cabinet in the library. So I bought a Xerox wireless adapter, and asked the STS to add its MAC address to the No Splash policy in TM.

I installed the Xerox app on the clerk's computer, our laptop computers, and my Android mobile phone. So now I can print to the library printer from anywhere in the meetinghouse. I print Gospel Doctrine handouts, as well as conference talks for elders quorum discussions.

On the other hand, downloading and installing XEROX firmware updates to that multi-function printer can be a challenge. They made a change a year or two ago that forced me to update it using a USB connection to one of our computers. But all IoT devices must be updated for security.

I must say that folks who are making copies in the library don't really appreciate a random print job popping up while they are using the copier.

Then again, I often wonder about folks who make copies of a printed church lesson manual. After all, the manual is available online, and can be printed in higher quality from the online source. Why do they make terrible copies of printed manuals?

One concern I have about opening the printer to the network: you don't really have any control over what's printed. It's all after the fact, instead of catching it at the request stage.

Another option is the Xerox B405 supports NFC, which means a person would have to be right there to print (and catch the output). Granted, not all phone/tablets support NFC, but it would eliminate some of the concerns mentioned above. Might not require the WiFi card either, but I'm not positive about that.

Thank you for the feedback, everyone. Apparently the Stake Clerk and Stake Technology Specialist came up with a solution that is working for them and not keeping the printer open for everyone else. (They just wanted it available on the Stake Leadership level)