I have two businesses that operate from the same building, each with its own independent network. They would like to share a copier, but since one business is a renter and needs its own network, I'm looking for a simple solution to set this up. I thought of using ZeroTier on a Linux machine to connect to the copier's network and then install the client on a MacBook for the other business. Is this a good approach, or are there simpler methods to share a printer across these two different networks? I'd appreciate any suggestions!
5 Answers
Honestly, sharing without bridging the networks could be tricky. If it's feasible, you could connect the copier to a computer on one of the networks, sharing the printer via USB, while connecting the other network directly to the copier's Ethernet port. Just a heads-up, it’s a bit of a janky solution, but it could work if you have an old PC lying around.
If you can access both routers, think about using VLANs. By putting the printer on its own VLAN, you could provide access for both networks while keeping them separate. This would prevent direct access between the two networks but allow printing. You'll need to ensure the printer only receives traffic without sending any data back into either network.
Another option is using a print service that supports email to print. Many modern printers have this capability, where you can email documents to print. It’s not the most seamless solution, but it would let each business operate independently.
You may want to avoid any configurations that bridge the networks. If both have separate ISPs, keeping them completely independent and using a cloud service can minimize security risks. Sometimes, lease costs can be spread better over two machines than risking a breach.
Totally agree! Thanks for the reminder about security.
You might want to consider a cloud printing service like PaperCut or Universal Print. If you're looking for a quick fix, a USB print server could work for one network while connecting the copier via the native network port for the other. However, with potential security risks, it might be worth examining the costs of purchasing another copier instead.
We’re trying to convince them to buy a second one, but they’re pretty stubborn! I'll look into PaperCut, thanks for the tip!
I like this idea! Thanks for explaining it; I'll pitch it to the team.