The Option GlobeSurfer X1 (http://blog.brightpointuk.co.uk/introducing-option-globesurfer-x1) 3G wireless router can be used as a printer server and a file server by connecting either a printer or an external storage drive to its built-in USB port, enabling you to print or access shared files and folders over the wifi connection or via an ethernet connection. In this post I shall provide short instructions on how to use the print server functionality.

In order to print to the X1, you must first have installed the necessary drivers for your printer onto the PC, if separate drivers are provided - refer to the manufacturer's documentation for details on where these drivers are to be found, but they normally come on a CD as part of the sales package together with a manual or automated installation application.

Connect the printer to the X1 via the USB port with the X1 POWERED OFF. Once connected, power on the X1.

On Windows XP and Vista the procedure is virtually the same, but the wording of individual screens varies between the two operating systems.

Open the Printers folder from the Start menu or from the Control Panel:

Select the option to Add a Printer, the add new printer wizard will be displayed:

Click Next, the following window will be displayed:

Select the option to Add a local printer, and untick the option to detect the printer automatically. Click Next, the following window will be displayed:

Select the option to add a new TCP/IP port and click Next, the following window will be displayed:

Click Next, the following window will be displayed:

Enter in the IP address of the X1, by default this will be set to 192.168.1.1

Click Next, the following window will be displayed:

Select Custom as the device type and click Next, the following window will be displayed:

Click Finish. On the next screen a list of available printer manufacturers and models will be displayed:

Select your printer from the list, or browse to the location where the drivers are located using the Have Disk button, referring to the printer manufacturer's installation instructions if required. Click Next:

Enter a name for the printer and click Next:

Click Next again (note there is no need to set the printer as shared, unless you specifically want the printer to be shared from YOUR PC):

Select the option to print a test page if desired to verify that the installation has been successful. Click Next:

Click Finish.

If the page fails to print, verify that both the printer and the X1 are powered on, and that the printer isn't indicating a lack of ink, paper or a paper jam etc. Also verify that the PC has a connection to the X1, either wirelessly or via Ethernet.
Within the properties of the printer itself, which will now be listed, verify on the Ports tab that the IP address of the X1 has been entered correctly and that the printer is set to use that IP port rather than a local port: