What our customer's say!"disaster", We use linksys as standard in my company for wireless activities, we found normal to stack a print server from linksys on top of wireless AP.
Out of the fact the techs took one hour to find out how to configure it through fixed IP an installing bi admin a described in other critics, which does not make it user friendly but we can cope with that as IT professional.
However, bi directional is a joke. No printer is recognized and we lost all fax and scanner functions on a Brother MFC, this IS a problem (guess why we bought a Multi Function Center?)
We had to return this material to linksys...
"Works with XP but takes some tinkering", I read all the reviews so I was expecting some extra work to get this print server working with XP. The trick is using a static IP address, not DHCP. Go ahead and install the "BI Admin" utility because it allows you to configure the print server via a browser page, but use a static IP address. And just enter that same static IP when you configure your printer port (printer properties, add TCP/IP port). Linksys tech support can help - although this is yet another company that has outsourced tech support to the Phillipines and India. That's a big check mark against them in my book.
"HP Laserjet1200 and Linksys printserver", Despite spending hours (days) attempting to configure the printserver, I was unsuccesful. The printserver does not appear to be compatible with the HP laserjet 1200. I wish I had read the reviews prior to purchase. Problem is incompatability with HP drivers. Tried all drivers, tried all settings. Would be interested to hear from the people who apparently got this to work.
"Allen", I've had this print server for almost 2 years. I have a reasonably-sized home network with other Linksys products that have worked flawlessly. I guess the bottom line comment I would make about this product is that, when it works it is fantastic, but when it doesn't it drives me crazy!
In my case it will work fine for a while, and then require either soft or hard resets (with the button on the back). The DHCP never worked consistently for me. I was advised by Linksys not to use it at all. I have already had to replace my original unit because it failed, and my second unit just went on the fritz as well. I was on the line with Linksys support for an hour and we couldn't get it to work, so they're sending me yet another one. I just replaced my old HP 4ML that was on the server, and decided NOT to rely on the print server anymore - I paid extra for a built-in 10/100 card. However, I still have a Canon inkjet on the print server. I still don't understand in this day why built-in ethernet is so expensive to add to a printer - it should now be standard on all but the lowest price printers IMHO.
I gave this 3 stars, but it's really probably more like 2.5 (only redeemed by the built-in 4 port switch). I agree with another poster who said Linksys needs to update the firmware for this product - it is not up their usual standards.
Allen
"Worked for me", I purchased this so we could print without having to keep the computer next to the printer on all the time. Am using two Epson printers: Epson 1270 and 2200.
Print server installed OK. I was confused by the docs because they seemed to be saying I needed to do something to make it work via DHCP, turns out this is the default behavior. Otherwise I got through the install with only one short call to LinkSys tech support. I got through immediately. Being a software support engineer myself, I would give the engineer a 4 out of ten for customer service skills.
My Epson printers use a 'bidirectional' process to show the levels of ink in the printers. This no longer works, so I guess I'll just need to have some ink replacements ready for when the red light goes on in the printer itself, or ocassionally hook it up to a computer to check the levels. I also had to mess around with the Epson printer driver to turn off it's communication error checking and advanced features. Otherwise it would give me an error message that there was a communication problem.
These were not enough to make me want to send it back as the product makes it very convenient for our network and is relatively easy to deal with as far as networking products go.
I also notice a considerable improvement in the network file transfers using the included 10/100 switch.
As many of the reviewers have said, there are some problems with install etc., but if you can get past this, having a print server can be a great addition to your network. I would also say that at some point users will have to gain some understanding of TCP/IP to get very far with any network project...
Read this reviews before You buy..."This Printserver does not work with all printers", Folks,
Be very careful when you buy this printserver. LinkSYS advertising on the box says that this works with all popular bi-directional and parallel printers --- IT DOES NOT!
Don't be fooled into the same hassles that I have run into. I have a Xerox XD100 (a "popular" bi-directional/parallel printer) and 2 canon bjc-2100 printers (another "popular brand"). Neither work. Here is a list as of 4/25/02 from LinkSYS tech support as to the printers that don't work.
There seems to be inherent problems getting bi-directinal printers to work correctly with printservers as an intermediate step. I would go for a JetDirect printer and save yourself the troubles.
You may get these to work by disabling bi-directional printing in the spool settings under details under printer properties, but i didn't.
Good LUCK!
I would call them and ask for the latest update:
Last Up Date 4-25-02
Printers That Been Known to Work With The Printservers
ALPS
Alps MD1000
BROTHER
Brother HL 630
Brother HL 730
Brother HL 1040
Brother HL 1240
Brother HL 1260
Brother HL 1440
Brother MFC 3100
Brother MFC 4600
Brother MFC 8600
Brother MFE 9200C
Brother MFC 9600 DOESN'T WORK
Brother MFC 9700 DOESN'T WORK
CALCOMP
CalComp Techjet 720
CalComp CCL 600xF
CANON
Canon F50 DOESN'T WORK
Canon 100
Canon 200
Canon 250
Canon LBP 430
Canon LBP 460 DOESN'T WORK
Canon 600
Canon 610 Needs driver modification
Canon 620 Needs driver modification
Canon 2500
Canon 3170
Canon 4100
Canon 4200
Canon 5100
Canon 6000
Canon 7000
Canon BJC 80
Canon BJC 210 DOESN'T WORK
Canon BJC 2100 DOESN'T WORK
Canon BJC 230
Canon BJC 4100 needs driver modification
Canon BJC 5000 DOESN'T WORK
COMPAQ
Compaq IJ 200 make sure spool data format is PMJOURNAL and disable bidirectionality
Compaq IJ900
CITIZEN
Citizen dot matrix works
Digital Lan 30 no on PPSX1
DYMO
Dymo 300
ENCAD NOVAJET
Encad 736 DOESN'T WORK
EPSON
Epson Stylus 2
Epson MX8
Epson FX100
EpsonTMU200
Epson 400
Epson 570
Epson LQ570 Plus
Epson 600 Needs spooler modification
Epson 640
Epson 740
Epson Stylus Photo 750
Epson 777 DOESN'T WORK
Epson Stylus 780
Epson Stylus Photo 780
Epson 800 Needs spooler modification
Epson 850
Epson 860 DOESN'T WORK
Epson LQ870
Epson 880 Stylus
Epson 980 Stylus
Epson T1000 DOT MATRIX
Epson LQ1070 plus esc/p2
Epson LQ1170
Epson 1200
Epson Action Lazer 1500
Epson 1520, works but needs to try new or different drivers
Epson 2500
Epson LQ2550
Epson 3000
Epson DFX 5000
Epson DFX 8000
Epson Photo
Epson Stylus color
HP Deskjet
HP 9
HP R80 DOESN'T WORK
HP 450C
HP 430
HP 500
HP 500C
HP 550C
HP 560C
HP 600C
HP 630 No bitrontics
HP 650 Designjet
HP 660C
HP 670C
HP 672C
HP 692C
HP 693
HP 694C
HP 710
HP 712C
HP 720C DOESN'T WORK
HP 722C needs driver modification
HP 820C
Hp 820CSE
HP 840C
HP 855C
HP 870CSE needs driver modification
HP 870CXI needs driver modification
HP 880C
HP 890
HP 890C
HP 892 needs driver modification
HP 895C
HP 895 needs RAW or it will say out of paper
HP 895CXI
HP 932C
Hp 940C
HP 952C
HP 960CXI IT'S BEING TEST ON
HP 970C
HP 970CXI DOESN'T WORK
HP 970CSE
Hp 990
HP 1000 and 1000c
HP 1100
HP 1115
HP 1120C has alot of problems DOESN'T WORK ON PPS1
HP 1200
HP 1220C
HP 1315
HP CP1700
HP 2000
HP 2000C
HP 2100HDM
HP 2500C
HP 3100 DOESN'T WORK
Hp 3200
HP 4500
HP LazerJet
HP 2
HP 2D
HP 3
Hp 3D DOESN'T WORK
HP 3SI
HP 4
HP 4L
HP 4M
HP 4ME
HP 4ML
HP 4MP
HP 4plus
HP 4SI
HP 4V
HP 4VC
HP 5L
HP 5MP
HP 5P
HP 5SI
HP 6
HP 6P
HP 6L
HP 6MP
HP 6P
HP R 80
HP 1100XI
Hp 1100
Hp 1200
HP 1220CSE DOESN'T WORK
HP 2100
HP 2100M
HP 2200
HP 2200D
Hp 3150 DOESN'T WORK
Hp 3200
HP 4000
HP 4100
HP 4500
HP 4500DN
HP 4550
HP 5000
HP 5000PS
HP 8000
HP 8100
HP 8150
HP OFFICEJETS
HP G55 DOESN'T WORK
Hp R60
Hp K60
HP T65 ONLY WITH GENERIC DRIVERS
Hp K80
HP G85 (able to print but scanner does not work)
HP 570 ONLY WITH GENERIC DRIVERS
HP 600 DOESN'T WORK
Hp 610
HP 1170CSE ONLY WITH GENERIC DRIVERS
HP Plotter
HP GL200
HP 220
HP 330
HP 350
HP 430
HP 600
HP 649C
HP 650
HP 750C DOESN'T WORK
HP JX1130 DOESN'T WORK
HP INKJET
HP 1150C
HP 842C
IBM
IBM 2380
IBM 4010
LEXMARK
Lexmark 1000 Color
Lexmark 1020 DOESN'T WORK
Lexmark 3455
Lexmark 4029
Lexmark 5700
Lexmark 7000
Lexmark Z42 DOESN'T WORK
Lexmark Z52 DOESN'T WORK
Lexmark Z53 DOESN'T WORK
Lexmark Optra C
Lexmark Optra E
Lexmark Optra R
Lexmark Optra LX
Lexmark Optra N
Lexmark Optra 1250
MANNESMAN
Mannesman Tally MT 645
MINOLTA
Minolta Pageworks 20
Minolta Pageworks 81
Minolta 2200 DOESN'T WORK
Minolta Proage4110
NEC
NEC 660 DOESN'T WORK
NEC 1260
OKIDATA
Okidata 6E DOESN'T WORK
Okidata 10E ?
Okidata Microline 320
Okidata 320 Turbo
Okidata 320
Okidata microline 321
Okidata 340
Okidata 520 Turbo
Okidata 590
Okidata 810 E PORT 3
Okidata 1600
Okidata Okipage 4W
Okidata 16N
Okidata 3410 DOES'T WORK
PANASONIC
Panasonic KXp-1624 i used lpr
Panasonic KXP-2023
Panasonic KXP-2130
Panasonic KXp-2624
Panasonic KXP-4410
Panasonic KXP-4420
Panasonic KXp-4455
Panasonic 4450
Panasonic KXP-6500 needs driver modification
Panasonic 1695
RICOH
Ricoh AP206
SAMSUNG
Samsung QL-85 DOESN'T WORK
Samsung ML-1210
SHARP
Sharp AR280
Sharp AL1340 DOESN'T WORK
Sharp AL1600
Sharp 9460 PS
STAR THERMAL
SONY
Sony 100 DOESN'T WORK
XEROX
Xerox P3 DOESN'T WORK
Xerox docu print P8 DOESN'T WORK
Xerox N17
Xerox N32
Xerox C55
Xerox WORK CENTER 80 DOESN'T WORK
Xerox WORK CENTER 88 DOESN'T WORK
Xerox XD100 printer copier DOESN'T WORK
Xerox XD105F DOESN'T WORK
Xerox XD130DF DOESN'T WORK
Xerox XD155DF DOESN'T WORK
Xerox WORK CENTER 385 DOESN'T WORK
Xerox M750
Xerox XE904UG DOESN'T WORK
Xerox WORK CENTER XL2130F DOESN'T WORK
Xerox 2230 (plotter)
Xerox WORK CENTER XD series DOESN'T WORK
ZEBRA
Zebra DA402
"Print Server + LAN Switch = Great for home network", Despite review comments I read before I bought product about
difficulty with installation and functionality, I successfully
installed this new product from Linksys using their documentation
with NO PROBLEMS. I replaced my hub and always on desktop PC
that served as home network print server with this product and
my print performance shot up, so did my LAN performance due
to obvious architecture advantages of switch vs hub. I installed
the Linksys software on both Win98 AND Windows 2000. Note Windows
2000 software was NOT on CD, but easily downloaded from Linksys
Website and simply ran the "Setup" wizard. Print Server has
printed both documents, web pages, and photo applications as
well as my home network components can expect. Definitly everything is 3/4 times faster than when I had hub/PC arrangement. And now I get to turn the old desktop PC off, and
use my newer wireless laptops around the house, or other
wired connections at docking stations. I should also note
due to switch functionality, even my DSL internet connection
through the gateway seems faster, due to less lan CSMD contention, especially with overhead of wireless access point
and trying to use other wired connections on
my LAN. Works great.
"Such High Hopes..dashed", I so wanted this to work, it would have been a perfect add to my small home network using their Etherfast Cable/DSL Router. I have an epson and hp 4 and running XP, and 2 Win98 PCs. Manual was sadly lacking, nothing explained why sometimes certain documents from my XP would print, but others would result in an error 22 on on the HP (the epson just flat didn't work). A troubleshooting section and compatibility list would have been nice. Even after turning off the advanced features and several other HP "workarounds" it didn't work as advertized. Plus very unhappy I had to load additional protocols, which according to their email tech support should have solved my problems, which it did not. A total waste of a weekend, and money. I'll keep dinking with it since I want to add 2 more PCs and a laptop and the additional ports are needed - and don't want to throw more money at my home network for now. Maybe they'll actually put something useful on their website..
"A great print server, better than HP jetdirect", Don't be scared away by some comments. I just got one, it works terrific.
Remind you, I don't have any experience installing any router, or print server before, though understand how it works...
After hesitating for a while, I decide to take the risk trying another print server, that's Linksys Etherfast.
Once I got it, plug it into our campus LAN, then, install the CD-ROM. Instantly, I can see the printServer on the network. (Unlike HP, this is the only linksys I can see, so, easy to find.) Then, I hook two printers up, configure port, select device port. All of them worked immediately, without even reading its manual (said to be very bad. I don't know.)
One thing as some reviewers found, when setup the tcp/ip configuration, I have some problem. But it does not affect the function at all. With this price, and its many ports, good compatibility. I love it.
"Total Disappointment", Like other reviewers I also have a home network with other Linksys products (Cable router, 8-port hub, wireless AP) which are excellent. This print server is a total disappointment for me.
The built-in 4 port hub works fine, but the print server just would not function with my set-up. Originally connected to the parallel port of my win98 machine is an HP Deskjet 932C. After hooking it up to the print server and installing the Linksys software, the printer no longer prints correctly. I changed many times the settings, uninstall and reinstall drivers (both Linksys and the HP printer drivers) and after much trial and error I gave up.
I also have a Xerox Docuprint P8 laser printer, and the result is the same after hooking up to the print server. I ended up going back to sharing the printers from my PCs.
It is possible that this printer is only compatible with a certain type of printers. The manual and website does not offer much help. I could not even get the print server administration software to print a test page.
I like most of the Linksys products except this one.
