NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server
by Netgear
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Our Price: $89.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $20.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server
Customer Review: Worked Well with Brother HL-2070N Printer
Summary: 4 Stars
The PS121 worked well with my Brother HL-2070N and is said to also work with my Brother HL-5140 (although I haven't tested that printer yet). I run XP Pro with SP3.
The reason I gave the NetGear PS121 four stars is that I can't figure out how to prevent a single PJL command page ([...]) from printing on the first job from each application (Word, Outlook, IE, etc.) that I send to the printer without installing the printer and "NETGEAR PS121v2 Smart Wizard" print server software on every PC (the manual method below results in the PJL command page issue) using the install CD. By the way, if you delete the network printer installed by the CD under "Printers and Faxes", the CD will not be able to reinstall the printer because the standard port name is still in the Registry and is seen as being "used" as noted in step 5. You will need to delete these entries before being able to reinstall the networked printer using the CD. Also, don't try to rename this networked printer entry or you'll get a printer error.
Here are the steps I used to manually install my printer (I don't like loading any software that isn't essential). However, as noted, I couldn't get around the PJL issue noted using this manual method.
1. Before you begin, install the printer locally to the PC by adding it under "Printers and Faxes" and browse to the printer drivers when prompted. Print a test page to confirm the installation of the printer locally. Once the printer is working when directly connected to your PC, plug the printer into the PS121 Print Server and plug the PS121 into your router. Finish, by plugging in the power supply to the PS121.
2. Click on Start, then Control Panel, then Printers and Faxes. Click "Next" at the Printer Wizard window and then click to set up a "Local Printer" with the "Automatically detect" box unchecked.
3. Click to "Create a new port" and then select "Standard TCP/IP Port".
4. Open the interface on your router/firewall and find out what IP address is being assigned to the NetGear PS121 Print Server. Configure the router/firewall to assign the same IP address to the MAC address of the PS121 Print Server every time. Note: The NetGear PS121 Print Server by default uses DHCP so it will look to your router/firewall for an IP address. If you want, you can log into the PS121 by entering in it's IP address in a web browser. The default username is "admin" and the default password is "password".
5. Enter the IP address of the NetGear PS121 Print Server. If you like, you can rename the "Port Name" or leave it as the default, which is usually something like "IP_192.168.1.xx". Note: After a "Port" is added, the name cannot be reused even if you remove the printer that uses that port name unless you remove all entries in the Registry referring to the port name.
6. At the next window, select "Custom" and click "Settings" button.
7. Under "Protocol" field, select "LPR". For "Queue Name", type L1.
8. Click Ok, then Next, and Finish.
9. When prompted, select the printer you installed earlier.
10. Select to keep the existing drivers.
11. Type in a name for the printer.
12. Select "do not share this printer".
13. Select to print a test page.
14. The printer shared on the NetGear PS121 Print Server will now show up under "Printers and Faxes".
Note: I read a post on the Internet that stated the NetGear PS121 Print Server has several open ports. You may want to configure your firewall to block these ports from outside networks as there is no password authentication required to telnet, or print to the device.
PORT STATE SERVICE
23/tcp open telnet
80/tcp open http
139/tcp open netbios-ssn
515/tcp open printer
631/tcp open ipp
9100/tcp open jetdirect
Customer Review: For me a great print server
Summary: 5 Stars
This was not brought from Amazon but I have brought plenty from here so hopefully they will still allow me to review this. This is from another site
This print server priced is the best bang for the buck. I have a samsung laser printer and it works fine. I have a dual band router (Netgear wndr 3700) and it works find on both bands. 2.4 and 5g. The only issue I realized with the software of this print server was at the end you might have to configure the tcp/ip address yourself because for some reason it uses a usb virtual port when it should use a tcp/ip address port. Since I am in the business it was a snap for me but for some people who might not know what I'm even talking about you might run into issues. This just replaced a print server it was a linksys a wps54g and that was terrable. the firmware froze up and the software was awful. Not once was I able to get that ps working. I am so happy I have this server. Even though It's not wireless I don't need it because it's small. Also my router is a dual band. (but with this print server I have no problems printing on either band I'm on unlike the old linksys even though it was wired) I've found in my career that wired products are much more relabile anyway. I don't have a desktop now I'm in and out with my laptop. (with this print server wired into my router) never did I have to reset or reconfigure it. I'm glad I got this. I never lost a connection.
3 WEEKS LATER
This is an update about this print server. I'd say I'm writing this about a month or at least 3 weeks later.
Well I was on vacation for 5 days with nothing hooked up and I've been in and out of the house everyday for my business. Never did I have a problem with it.
This is free advice what I do for all network devices is I get a router with DHCP reservation and make the device on a network a static ip in the router, to double proof it you can make it static in the server like I did with this one. The software you install at times configures the computer with the IP address at the time of installation. So if your power goes out or you turn your stuff off you might get a different ip address when you turn your devices on If that happens the server may not work. (thats what happened with my other printer) If you do it my way will never have a problem. (Providing the server is compatible with your printer) I've found if you just rely on DHCP with no reservation any wireless product you have most likely is goinging to have a problems. So if you understand what I'm talking about try it, if not hire a pro or read up on it.
This is what Technical support is suppose to tell you. Don't even try calling there they may not even understand the concept LOL. Good old USA sellilng it's self out to india, china etc.
I love this server its low cost, Looks like a toy, and it's great it's very reliable for me.
Customer Review: Be Patient!
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Customer Review: Works OK, but. too much work getting there.
Summary: 2 Stars
I give this unit 2 stars mostly because it's inexpensive. If you need to network a very basic printer, it might be for you. I purchased it for printing support on an HP OfficeJet multi-function machine. It wouldn't work after several hours of effort and I finally figured that it wasn't compatable with the OfficeJet. I did get it working quite well with a basic HP inkjet printer, however.
Had this unit not been so cheap, it would have earned one star and a trip back to Amazon. The configuration is not straightforward, and the documentation, while pretty thorough, isn't well organized, so you spend too much time trying to figure things out.
Following the 'quick start' instructions, you'd surmise that you just plug in the PS121 and install the software. Only after several hours effort do you discover that a number of extra 'little' steps are required to actually get the thing working.
For example, somewhere in fine print of the documentation is a vague mention of "Server Software" that must be installed on one computer, in addition to the basic print server software. Huh, what server software? I explored the Netgear CD and, lo, I finally found the FSADMIN folder. From there, I installed the software that actually configures the PS121. Would it have been so difficult for Netgear to have, like maybe, put that on the splash screen that appears when you insert the CD???
Overall, the install software feels sort of, well, inelegant. The FSADMIN is downright buggy (it locked up several times), and the regular configuration is not exactly seamless.
Elsewhere in the documentation, you find another mention that the server won't be stable unless you give it a static IP address. It makes sense, however, that's not exactly a plug and play operation on the average home network.
Finally, to echo a couple other reviews, the unit is cheap plastic, it gets excessively warm, and the lights and reset button don't work as described in the documentation.
But if you need a basic print server for a simple printer, this unit is about as cheap as they come. Just be prepared for the install to be a bit of an adventure.
Customer Review: Frustrating to set up but is working
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought the printer driver a few weeks back and was able to get it working on my desktop but not with the laptop... It has been resolved and is working but some settings I needed to do and were not explained in the instructions...
1) The printer server was able to print the test page after installation but would not print from any applications...
The reason for this is that Netgear does not set the ports up correctly and it was still detecting the port as USB instead of a TCP/IP port. To solve this you need to go into the printer settings and add a TCP/IP port with the printer IP address given after installation...
For some reason my version of windows XP did not recognize the printer server... If this happens, choose Network Printer Server (1 port) on each device that prints to the printer...
The installation was also interesting as well...
1) The instructions tell you to connect the blue cable that came with the router to the printer server... The printer server kit does not come with any cable... I had an extra ethernet cable which did not work since it is looking for a crossover cable...
2) You may need to turn off the firewall; I did (this is actually mentioned)...
After installation, there is a printer server window popup that shows the printer server, and if you want to reserve it (for multifunction printers)... If you refresh this window or reboot the PC, you can no longer see the printer server in the window. This feature can be accessed in the system tray as well... It seems like a software bug...
As others have mentioned, documentation is poor... I was also lucky that my father helped me to get this working since he has installed printer drivers...
Once it is working, it seems to work fine...