Cisco-Linksys PSUS4 PrintServer for USB with 4 Port Switch
by Linksys
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Our Price: $129.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $25.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys PSUS4 PrintServer for USB with 4 Port Switch
Customer Review: Good but tricky
Summary: 3 Stars
Like a number of the other reviews mentioned, the PSUS4 works fine as a printserver but the included setup software isn't worth even removing from the box. I am by no means a networking expert but I had the time to tinker with the device and found that you really need to be ready to configure the PSUS4 directly using your browser and then configure each computer for local printing by creating a new TCP/IP port using the IP address of the unit and configuring it for printing to "USB1". If this sounds complicated it really isn't and with a bit of searching you can find quick and easy instructions from an article on the Linksys website (note the lack of mentioning USB1 in the article).
Long story short, don't buy this if you want plug and play but if you have a basic understanding of networking you will find this works fine after a bit of a painful initial setup. I found that it took much longer just to find the information I needed than actually setting up the unit.
Customer Review: Doesn't work (2 units tried) with HP Laserjet 1020
Summary: 1 Stars
Like others I'm generally a fan of LinkSys products, but this isn't one of them.
Couldn't get the automated install to find the printer. I'm using a Dell Laptop with Windows XP. Also tried my desktop. Also tried Safe Mode with Networking. Disabling Firewalls and Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware (good thing I'm behind a hardware firewall). Tried bypassing the router with a direct cable connection. Tried replacing the cable. Returned the first unit and tried a second. Same story. All the lights on the unit say everything is fine but it simply isn't discoverable via the network.
By the way, Linksys Technical support was perfectly reasonable. One time I almost immediately got a person, the other time I waited I while, but both times they were courteous and helpful if a little distracted.
p.s. the fact that the unit doesn't include a mac address on the label is pretty stupid. you'd be able to do low-level network testing using that.
Customer Review: Great when it works
Summary: 1 Stars
I've been using this Linksys print server for over two years now at one location with pretty good results. It installed initially on two computers with no problems. When I added another last month, however, I couldn't get it working for several hours and then suddenly it worked - not sure why. Linksys support wasn't of much help.
Then today I went to install another PSUS4 at a new location. The setup went smoothly and the port was all set up correctly, but I kept getting error messages when trying to print to my LaserJet 1000. A 15-minute call to Linksys support revealed that I have a bad unit. Unfortunately I purchased this over a year ago (I just opened the box however), so the warranty is expired. VERY disappointed with Linksys. I've always been a fan before, but this $70 lesson will stay with me a long time. I don't want to replace this printer with a network unit so I'll get another print server - I'll just stay away from Linksys.
Customer Review: You may have to disable 'bidirectional support' in Windows to make it work.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have configured some print servers in past with HP printers so I thought it would be an easy job as well. The instruction and software CD was useless. Manual does not even tell you what is default password or IP address is for this print server. After following instructions posted on forums and my own experience, I got it to work with my HP Laserjet printer. But I could not make it work with Dell 1320c color laser printer after wasting 2 days.
I was about to give up on this print server but then I stumble upon a review on Amazon where some has mentioned to uncheck to 'enable bidirectional support' option in the 'ports menue' of the printer setup in Windows. And BANG it worked. The thing is it was not mention no where in the instruction booklet to try to disable the bidirectional support to make it work with certain printers. This print server is quite adequate for the job but instructions are very poor.
Customer Review: Works fine
Summary: 4 Stars
I payed about $56 here at Amazon. Watch those price variations. It's tiny, blue, warm, and has been working with no trouble for two months. It comes with a power supply, cat 5 cable, and a usb a-b cable, and an install CD. I really wanted a print server for my home network. It's a perfect fit. Install was easy. With all the complexity of modern networking it only had one hitch - my HP Laserjet 1200 wouldn't print after the install. I went into control panel/printers and deleted the printer. Got my HP cd and did a fresh install. When the HP install got to "Where is the printer connected" I noticed a new option "Lblahblah" so I picked that and it worked perfectly.
I don't notice an printing speed differences. There has been no odd behaviour.
Really I'd give it about 4.5 stars. I recommend it for home networks that need a print server.