Unsure of how to setup a small business network

Hey, so I have to go see some people tomorrow and setup a network for their construction company. There are only 4-5 users, all running windows 7 (I think, only saw a few of the comps today), and they want to be able to share every printer in the office.

I don't think any of the printers are wireless, and I believe all the computers are connected to the internet directly through ethernet cords. They had me put in another ethernet jack in their building last week and I got to see the setup they have in the back.

Here is a diagram of their current setup.

A few things that confused me: In the diagram you'll see "Wireless radio" I put that there because I'm honestly not sure what it is. I think it broadcasts wireless internet through the building, but there is only one ethernet jack on it and it is connected straight into the dsl modem. Nothing else connects to it. I wish I had a picture, but it is a tower like device that looks like a giant inverted Y, about a foot tall.

The dsl modem also puzzles me. It has several ports running to the various devices (as you can see in the diagram) but there does not appear to be a router. In my setup at work, we have a cable modem that feeds to a router, then from the router to all the devices/switches. The router handles DHCP and all that jazz.

I take it that this dsl modem is handling all that since there is no router? (Or could that be handled through the inverted Y thing?)

So what is the easiest way I can get them to be able to access each other's printers? Does each printer have to be connected to the modem to be networked, or can it be accessed by others through a networked computer? (If each one has to be connected directly, I'm going to need to pick up a few more switches since there is only 1 jack per room)

 

EDIT: I found the inverted Y thing!

 

I'm not positive but I think that is a cell phone booster for AT&T. It essentially creates a cell tower in the building for the AT&T 3G network.

 

I guess I would create a workgroup for all the computers first. Then turn on File and Printer Sharing.

We already covered the inverted Y thing although you may also find Access Points that also have only a single RJ45 port.

Most current DSL Modems are combined with a Router although there are some exceptions

To share the Printers, you need to activate File and Printer sharing, then allow each printer to be shared, then map each printer to each computer which can be done through Printer Setup. Just look for Network Printers.

I'm not very strong on Win7 but there may be some firewall issues with the sharing that others here can address.

 

Yeah, turns out it is. So I'm just going to leave it alone.

 

Based on what you have told me, it sounds as though the DSL modem is a DSL modem/router combination. Most ISP's set it up this way as it makes it easier for both customers and the ISP. You really have 2 options...

1. You set up each computer on the same HOMEGROUP as described here.

2. My recommended solution is to have them rid themselves of 5 different printers. If they were to purchase 1 network printer (preferably a laser all-in-one), they would be able to all print to 1 printer, and they would save themselves the overhead of several printers. It will easily attach off the 8-port switch.

 

You didnt state the type of printers that you are working with. If they are equipped with an Ethernet interface, then just assign an Ip address to them.

And share them. Then use that ip address to map them since they would all be using an ip from the same network.