IOGEAR USB 2.0 Print Server, 1-Port GPSU21 (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The print server hardware worked fine, but the setup software
caused a few problems as a result of oversimplication.

I was able to get the server going with a Brother HL-5150D USB
printer on a home network with 4 computers (3 wireless, 1
ethernet), an all-in-one networked device and the USB
printer itself. This is using a mixture of computers with
different flavours of Windows XP. The print server is wired to
a router using DHCP. I did not chose to put the print server on
a static address (as the manual prefers) since that does not
reflect my network setup (home networks are usually DHCP).
I encountered problems because:
(a) My software firewall first caused the installer to crash.
I wanted to avoid turning it off entirely, but
to no avail. I was able to leave my router's hardware
firewall on but had to turn off my software firewall
for the installation. The manual asks that firewall
be turned off at installation, but I find that drastic.
I guess I should have cut off my internet connection when
I did this.
(b) I installed my printer drivers and print server back-to-back
without rebooting the computer in between. The manual
allows for this but I was not able to avoid the "the
segment of the print server is different from your
computer" error no matter what I tried. So I rebooted
and started the print server install a second time over.
Worked fine. The manual's guidance for this error was
incorrect in my case.
So, if what I've learned applies:
(i) install the printer driver as a normal USB
printer on your computers first.
(ii) reboot the computers
(iii) install the print server software.

Did this for all computers on the network, and
now I can print from anywhere (note that I did not
reconfigure the print server hardware each time, only
on the 1st computer, but I don't see the harm if one
does it for each computer as long as one is consistent
in placing the same settings each time).
(c) The installation of the print server software caused
my printer settings to go from "Use Printer Online"
to "Use Printer Offline". My printer swallowed all
my jobs because of that and no pages were coming out.
To remediate this go to the "Control Panel", "Printers",
"Viewed my installed printers",
right click the printer and select "Use Printer Online".
Did this for all computers.
Everything worked after that, with all firewalls reenabled.
Some day in the future, the network will go down
(power outage or other), and DHCP router might
assign a different dynamic IP address for the print server.
If that is the case, I'll have to point my computers to the
new IP address. To findout what your computer thinks the
printer address is: "Control Panel", "Printers",
"View installed printers", right click the printer and
select "Properties". Select the "Ports" tab,
then "Configure Port". Then compare the IP against the
new address your router gave to the print server
(go to your router's web page to find out). If they don't
match then you'll need to reconfigure. That said, I tested
a new IP address on the print server by power cycling it.
I then rebooted the computers and found that the new print
server address had been matched automatically on my
PCs. So things can fix themselves even if the network goes
down (the name of the port was still had the old address,
but the actual address it used was the new one...)
I've not tried this with IPP printing (remote location
printing, not did I test it under Linux or Mac).
The print server's web access is rather primitive.
But it has all I need. I intend to use this with Linux too.
The device worked as advertised and I am satisfied with it.


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IOgear GPSU21 Print Server GPSU21 Print Servers - Wired

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Arkview USB 2.0 10/100 Ethernet USB 2.0 Print Server (1 Port) PC/MAC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read all the good an bad reviews on this topic. Basically, it seemed that if people had a popular printer it supported, they were very happy. If not, it didn't work and they were unhappy.
I went through the process of trying to make it work with an unsupported Lexmark Laser printer. The setup software could see the printer (through my wireless network and the printer USB port, it could see which model it was) But it didn't want to install.
About to give up, I pulled out my old AirLink APSUSB2 printer server instructions. The process worked, but I believe you will have to set up a fixed IP address to go through this process. Make sure the fixed ip is above your router allowed HTPS list of address, and that it is a trusted IP on your home router/firewall.
After you have configured a fixed IP through Arknet's "Networking USB Server setup software," you do these basic steps for Windows XP:
In "Printers and Faxes" window, select Add Printer. Click Next
In the local or network printer window, select local printer, but don't select "automatically detect and install....". Click Next
In "select a printer port" select create a new port. In the pulldown, select Standard TCP/IP port. Click Next
A Standard TCP/IP port wizard comes up. Click next
In the "Add Port" window, Enter the IP address you have set the server to as discussed above, for example 192.168.150.254
Put in a port name. I overrode what defaulted tere and used port1. Click next
Under the "Additional Port Information Required" window, select the "custom" choice and hit settings
In the "port Settings" box brought up, leave the port and ip as is, change the radial button from "raw" to "lpr", and put your port name (port1) in the Queue name entry box. Select OK
You will be be brought back to the additional port information reqd screen. Hit next. Then Click Finish, to finish the port wizard.
Next, you will get the install printer software window. Hopefully you printer is already there and available through Windows XP (mine was). Otherwise you might have to access some driver files. Click next
I the "use existing driver" box, I selected existing driver and clicked next.
Under name your printer, you can change the name and choose whether you want it to be the default printer. Next
Then you can print a test page, and complete the installation. If the test page doesn't work, try it one more time after the installation completes.
I have little/no experience with later windows products, and so don't know if all these steps are easily doable in these products.
But it worked on XP and surprised me when it did. Thanks, Airlink, for providing the instructions for this workaround that Arkview didn't.


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Arkview-Feets palm sized 1-port USB 2.0 Print Server allows any networked computer to share a USB printer. It complies with USB 2.0 specifications (backward compatible with USB 1.1 spec.), and provides users with an auto-sensing Ethernet port that works with either 10Base-T or 100Base-T networks. This unit also supports multiple protocols and multiple operating systems, ; ; The built-in web management feature provides more convenience by allowing the user to configure, monitor and even reset the print server via a web browser. This eliminates the need to place the printer right next to the computer. Print jobs can be sent to a printer in the same office. ; ; Features; Easily connect your USB printer to a network; Allows multiple computers to share one USB printer on the network; Print from any computer on your network; Supports DHCP Client and multiple network protocols; 10Base-T / 100Base-T auto-sensing; Supports Telnet and Web Management software; ; Specifications; Network Cable Length; 6 Feet; Network Protocol; IPX, TCP/IP, NETBUEI, APPLETALK, LPR, smb (Over IP); Cable Type; CAT5; Network Interface; 10/100Mbps RJ45; Printer Connection; USB 2.0, USB 1.1; Standards; IEEE 802.3 10Base-T; IEEE 802.3u 100Base-T; USB 2.0; Management; Web Based-UI, Networking USB Utility; ; Requirements; Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista; Mac OS X; Printer with USB connection; Printers:; ; Most printers with USB connections are supported; Network environment:; ; 802.11b/b or 802.11n Wireless networks; 10/100Mbps networks; ; Package Content; 1 x 1-Port USB 2.0 Print Server; 1 x CAT5 Patch Cable; 1 x Power Adapter ; 1 x Installation CD; 1 x User Manual;

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NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The installation is a little challenging. However, after reading the "troubleshooting" section of the little instruction manual, it worked. Not sure about long-term reliability, as the unit seems to get very hot. Size-wise, perfect! No perceptible delay in spooling the printer. It does not make economic sense to buy a wireless print server, if the router and the printer remain stationary. This print server is great for my use, i.e. wireless Internet in one room, with remote printing in another. Will report back if any problems develop. Remember, be patient and keep trying all of the options during the installation. FOLLOW-UP: Worked fine for two months until my old Canon BJC-2100 printer died (of natural causes that I believe are unrelated to the print server). Upon trying to re-install the print server with a new Canon Pixma IP3000 printer, I once gain ran into installation challenges. This time the print server did not recognize the printer nor the network connection. The written instructions did nothing. However, after visiting Netgear's website, I followed the recommendation to disable my software firewall (PC Cillin 2005 in my case). Low and behold, everything is now working, and I am once again a satisfied Netgear user. Does exactly what it is supposed to do (allow remote prining or printer sharing), with minimal, if any delay in spooling. Bottom line: Good product, lousy instructions!
FURTHER UPDATE (September 15, 2007): Two years after purchase, the original PS121 (which I reviewed) started to act up, i.e. was periodically NOT recognizing my printer. After re-installing from the Netgear disc several times, I got tired and decided to "upgrade" to a PS121 with "version 2" software. Before doing this I had trouble finding another brand that would work. No go on D-Link (not compatible per website) and Air-Link (compatible but did not work for me!) Again, the Netgear install was a bit tricky, foiled initially by "Norton Antibot" program. Be sure to disable any and all antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall programs!!! The newer PS121 version runs a PS121v2 indicator in the system tray, which gives a "positive assurance" that the printer is recognized. The only time I get a red light (not connected) is when the printer is powered off. After two months, everything is working fine. I would still recommend this item, however, make sure you have the Version 2 (v2) model. CAUTION to all: Make sure you visit Netgear's website prior to purchase, to ensure compatibility with your operating system and specific printer. I can't understand why the printer manufacturers can't market their own print servers. This would certainly help with the "compatibility" issue. I don't think this works with VISTA OS. Another reviewer mentioned downloading drivers from Netgear's website. I have XP, so no issue here. If problems do develop, I will report back.

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The NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server makes it easy for multiple users on a network to share a printer, letting you place the printer at a convenient spot for the entire office or out of the way altogether.
Easy Setup with USB 2.0 The PS121 works with most USB port printers from HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, and others, and it supports all major Windows operating systems.
Simply plug in the PS121 to your printer with the included USB cable on one end and connect it to your network via an Ethernet cord on the other. The print server features a 10 Mbps Ethernet connection for quick data transfer and an easy-to-use web-based management tool.
Save Time, Energy and Money Using the print server eliminates the need to have a dedicated PC always-on acting as a print server, thus conserving energy and saving money. The print server supports simultaneous print jobs and an on-board memory buffer keeps prints coming out quickly.
The NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box PS121 USB Mini Print Server, resource CD, power adapter, 5-foot USB cable, installation guide, and warranty/support information card.

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Hawking HMPS1U 1-Port USB 2.0 Print Server for Multi Function Printers Review

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(More customer reviews)We purchased a Brother MFC-7340 to replace another brother AIO printer. Normally we would have purchased a network AIO but the price on the bother was so good, it made sense to purchase and upgrade the print server. We purchased the Hawking HMPS1U because it supported multifunction operations. THIS DOES WORK WITH WIN 7 64BIT although it took a little work to figure it out, Hawking tech support wasn't much help. The set up part for just printing is easy, if you know your way around network printers; just add a network printer, make sure you know the IP address of the print server and its easy. If you're just going to print, don't buy this print server, but if you want to share every function on this machine use this server. For Win 7 64 bit set up, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE ON THE CD. Go to Hawking's website and download and install the setup from there. Then download and upload the firmware to the print server and BANG it will see your printer and you're good to go! Unfortunately tech support, the manuals, or anybody else will not tell you that. If I would have known this it would have taken less than 15 to 20 minutes to set up two laptops sharing the setup.
Better documentation which would have lead to easier setup would have given this 5 stars.

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The HawkingHMPS1U Print Server for Multifunction Printers lets you connect and share your multifunction printer, scanner or USB storage device (USB thumb drive, hard drive etc...) with the computers in your home or office area network.Simply attach your multifunction printer or USB storage device to the Print Server, run the Utility Software and begin sharing your printer or storage device. The HMPS1U is also capable of sharingyour USB storage device and USB printer over the internet for remote access and remote printing (FTP server, IPP printing). With the HMPS1U, your printer becomes a fully functional network print station.

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