Keyspan US-4A 4-Port USB Server (12 Mbps) Review

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(More customer reviews)I opened the packing box 10 MINUTES AGO, and both of my printers are up and running on every PC.
I was a little worried when I saw the 'documentation' was smaller than a CD, but everything went off without a hitch:
Step 1: Power up the USB server with no USB device hooked up to it, and connect it to the network via RJ45.
Step 2: Install the software (if WinXP, use the unsigned drivers). Your OS searches the network at this time and finds the USB Server.
Step 3: Hook up your USB devices.
THAT'S IT!!!
If you have a Multi-Function printer, you NEED this device, because even if you find a compatible print server, it will only let you use the print function. A Printer Server turns your Multi-Function printer into a Uni-Function Printer.
With this device, it will be just as if the printer were directly connected to your PC. In fact, you are not limited to PCs; you can connect ANY USB device to it (camcorder, scanner, webcam, even a mouse or keyboard).
The ONLY advantage that a print server has over this device is that with a server, multiple PCs can control a target device at once (really, that's not quite true, since the requestes are put in a queue).
With the USB server, every PC uses a little administration program. When launched, it opens a window that lists all of the devices that are connected to the USB server. A PC on the network that wants to use a device (i.e. print) needs to first take command of that device. You just select the device by name, and hit the connect button. From that point on, it's as if the printer were plugged directly into your PC. Others trying to use the printer would see that you were subscribed to it; they would have to wait until you release the subscription - which you have to do manually.
They could really use a virtual queue that keeps checking until the subscription is open, then releases the subscription when the job is completed. The problem is that if the device isn't a printer, how does it know when the job is finished?
So, even if you have only one PC on the network, you need to request access to use the printer. On the (sort of) bright side, every time you power up the PC, it will remember who owns what. I think the memory is maintained in the USB Server itself, not the PC. So if a PC takes control of a device, then dies, cycling power on the server releases all devices.
This is a little hokey (they claim they MIGHT fix it in a later release) but it's 1000% better than losing printer functions you paid for. They have an 'Admin' panel on the software, but I don't think it currently lets you boot someone off of a device.
If you already installed the devices you want to share, then once you connect to the server, every device will show up by name. When you take control of one or more of the devices, Windows goes through the 'new device ready' popup.
If you haven't added the device to your PC, then the server will show a default name for the device. Once you take control of it, Windows will detect the PnP device, and start the 'add new hardware' wizard.
It's truly as if the USB server didn't exist, and you had a REALLY long USB cable.
I have a Canon i950 Photo Printer, and a Brother 9600 MFC.
The Brother is particularly painful in that it won't even work with most printer servers. In fact, Windows XP doesn't even have a dedicated driver for it; Brother has all but stopped supporting it.
I was highly skeptical, but the MFC's scanner worked right away. As for the Canon, I launched the Status Monitor, and was soon seeing I had to replace an ink cartridge. So, the USB server is bi-directional, too (most Print servers aren't).
It took me longer to write this review than it took me to get the server up and running.
I can't recommend this product highly enough!

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MODEL- US-4AVENDOR- KEYSPANFEATURES- USB Server The USB Server makes it possible for USB printers and scanners to be used and shared by client PCs on a Local Area Network (LAN)! It is ideal for home office, small office or classroom use. The USB Server supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks -- making it easy to print to a USB printer from a Wi-Fi based laptop! * Connectivity to USB Devices: - 4 USB Full-Speed ports (12 Mbps)- Full 500mA power provided to each port * Connectivity to Network: - RJ45 LAN connector- 10/100 autosensing- IP addressing: Static/DHCP/Rendezvous* Compatibility The first release of USB Server software supports USB printers, USB multi-function printers, USB scanners and USB HID devices. While other USB devices may work, they are not officially supported by this release. USB audio and video products are not compatible with this release. USB hubs are not supported. -- SPECIFICATIONs -----------------------------------CONNECTORS - (4) USB 1.1 ports (1) 10BaseT/100BaseTX/RJ45 portREQUIREMENTS - Macintosh: Mac OS X v10.2.8 or greater Windows: Windows 2000/XP or greater keyspan.com

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

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(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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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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Airlink101 AMPS230 Multi-Functional Print Server Review

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(More customer reviews)It took less than 15 minutes to get it up and running. Very easy set-up. I have Brother MFC 7340 printer (which was not in the compatibility list!!) and its scanning and printing nice and fast. Two PCs (a desktop and a laptop) are connected wirelessly to the router, and the print server is wired to the router. Everything is working fine. Both PCs are running windows vista.
I had to install the printer software to each pc separately. Then I installed the print server and things were good to go!!!
Highly recommended!!! Cheap!!! easy to install!!!

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Airlink101 AMPS230 Multi-Functional Print Server

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

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(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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D-Link DP-301U 10/100TX 1-USB Port Print Server Review

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(More customer reviews)Check this site to see if it is compatible:
http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1263&question=DP-300U%20/%20DP-311U%20/%20DP-301U%20/%20DI-704UP%20/%20DI-824VUP%20/%20DP-311U_revB


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D-Link DP-301U 10/100TX 1-USB Port Print Server

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ZyXEL PLA401v3 HomePlug AV 200 Mbps Powerline Wall-plug Adapter (Starter Kit - 2 units) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had this product for a couple of months and am pleased to report that it works brilliantly. Installation couldn't be simpler. I plugged each of these into an outlet in the same room/same circuit and attached one end to a RJ45 Ethernet wall jack and the other to my DirecTV HR22 DVR. The DVR immediately saw that it had Internet access and was able to stream high definition movies (DirecTV's "whole home DVR" feature) anywhere in my house.
I had previously tried to stream high definition movies using aTRENDnet Wireless N Gaming Adapter TEW-647GA (Black) connected to my 802.11G network. The trendnet over 802.11g was not able to stream high definition content. Even when the trendnet was able to connect reliably, high def content streamed so poorly that it was unwatchable.
With the ZyXEL, high definition streams without any glitches! We are quite pleased as we had no other way to get an Internet connection to our HR22's location. The connection has been 24/7 reliable- we've never had to reset these or touch them in any way. It really was as simple plugging them in.
Note: I haven't tried running this over different circuits.
--------------------
9 month followup:
This product has worked flawlessly since the day it was installed. I've never had to reset them or mess with them in any ways. It's refreshing to find a product that "just works" in this age of complexity and "beta quality".


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"Designed for high performance, your Powerline network can reach the data transfer rates up to 200Mbps*. With advanced HomePlug AV technology, the PLA-401 v3 provides users the stable and high-speed Internet access. You just plug a pair of Powerline Ethernet Adapters into your house power outlets, and easily enjoy high-definition video streaming and network transmission. The advanced QoS features of ZyXEL's HomePlug AV Series improve the quality of multimedia streaming applications such as triple-play services, video streaming, high-speed Internet access and VoIP. The ZyXEL PLA-401 v3, a new-generation Powerline Adapter consumes 16% less power when comparing to the existing Powerline Ethernet Adapters. Moreover, when there is no Ethernet link, the PLA-401 v3 will enter the \""Standby\"" mode that reduces energy wasting for over 50% when comparing to the adapters without this feature. Users can easily set up a secure connection between PLA-401 v3 and another HomePlug AV product within 2 minutes. By pushing an ENCRYPT button on your PLA-401 v3, and then you can set up your hassle-free Powerline network. With the 128-bit Data Encryption Security (AES) feature, the PLA-401 v3 provides secure network connection for Internet access and network resource sharing. You may sit back to enjoy fast Internet surfing experience and secure file transfer while leaving the hassles to the PLA-401 v3."

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