USB Mini Print Server
1 Works fine, easy setup
I bought one for about $30 refurbished, installed it minutes. My printer, Brother MFC 3220C, was not on the supported list, but it works. Netgear states that multifunction printers are supported only for printing, which is all I use it for.
Installation is much easier if your home network uses DHCP. Otherwise, I can understand why people have so much trouble installing it (or any similar print server).
There are multiple reasons for using a print server such as this. You achieve similar results on a Micro$oft based network using printer sharing and connecting the printer to one of your computers. This requires that computer to be booted up for any computer to use the printer. The printer must also be located within the max length the communications cable (USB, parallel, serial). The print server is essentially a very small computer that replaces the computer described above, and is always on. It, too, must be co-located with the printer, but since it is very small and used for nothing else, the only issue is providing power for it. The cable length issue is now the length of the 10Base-T (twisted pair) cable connected the print server to the rest of your network, which is 100 meters, over 330 feet.
2 Great But..........
This is a great product if: a) you have checked NETGEARS website to be sure your printer is supported b) make sure you have flashed the latest EPROM info from NETGEAR and c) read and follow the instructions contained on the CD. The printed instructions that come with the PS121 are lacking!!!
3 Couldn't make it work
I spent hours trying to get this thing to work on 2 PCs. I spoke to several nice folks in India, did everything they said, but only one computer could ever see my printer. Aargh. Too much time wasted. I sent it back for a refund.
4 Super simple till you run into a problem
I bought the print server and followed the super simple directions and no luck. I was trying to attach to an Epson printer that was neither on the supported nor the will not work with lists. After many hours of trying different settings I got the thing to work. In depth manuals and self support tech support are non-existent. The unit worked with out problems for the last couple of months till I unplugged it to move it to another outlet. Now all I can do is get it to print the first couple of lines and then it hangs and has to be unplugged to get it to respond again. I've tried emailing support with no respond and I have tried calling support and after wading through a very long automated menu, the system told me that I had twenty minute plus wait and then after a few minutes hung up. So my review is buyer beware! It may work right out of the box, but if it doesn't don't expect any help from the documentation or live support.
5 Check out the compatible printer list before you buy!!!!
First off, let me say that I am a Netgear fan. I've been using their products for years, and I've always had good things to say about them. However, the PS121 has been a disappointment. When I bought the item, I was under the impression that it worked with most, if not all USB printers. My mistake!!! Be sure to check out the compatible printers list on Netgear's website for the PS121. You'll find that suprisingly few USB printers actually work with this unit. Recommendation: If you have an HP printer that you want to network -- Get an HP JetDirect server -- I've gone with the 175X. Even then, you won't get everything that you want on a multifunction unit such as the OfficeJet G85 (i.e., print, scan, copy, fax) from a network. But, at least the thing will actually function with the print command. Otherwise, unless you have a printer on Netgear's verified compatibility list, pass this one by -- NOTE: I cannot verify that those printers on Netgear's compatibility list will do everything that the printer is capapble of doing while on a network. If I knew of such a device that would network all of these functions, I would recommend it. In most cases, don't expect more than simple printer communication -- forget the scan and fax functions. For me, however, the PS-121 is nothing more than a paperweight. The HP JetDirect 175X, as did my JetDirect 170 for print functions, works fine.
DJR
6 Great Little Print Server
Set-up is straight forward and simple. I hooked up five computers via wireless and ethernet in my home. Now if they would only invent longer lasting ink cartridges.
7 Works great with my Samsung printer
My setup: IBM laptop running W2K, Proxim wireless card, Microsoft MN-500 wireless router, this Netgear PS121, and a Samsung ML-1710 printer.
Plug the PS121 into the wall, the usb cable from the printer into the PS121, and an ethernet cable runs between the PS121 and a spare port on your router. Now I can print from anywhere in my apartment.
Setup was a snap, took about 5 minutes. I did have to read the troubleshooting part of the instructions to discover that I needed to disable 'bidirectional printing'... whatever that is.
I don't know why the amazon description says that you can share with 'up to 3 computers', because you can share with any number on a wireless network.
One complaint: this thing comes with a usb cable but no ethernet cable. Everyone with a usb-printer already has a usb cable, but some people might not have an ethernet cable laying around. I would prefer that they lower the price a few bucks and include no cables, most people who buy esoteric gadgets like this have extra cables.
Overall, this is a nice little toy, I highly recommend it.
8 Inconsistent Performance Despite Calls to Technical Support
After using this product for more than two months two major complaints have discontinued my use of this product:
1) INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE
The Print Server did not work out-of-box. Two calls into Technical Support helped me get product working (by installing extra "administrative level" software). While annoying I thought this was a just a little hiccup.
But then my Print Server would stop working every two to three weeks, resulting in more calls to Technical Support for assistance. After the third failure I knew the help-script very well and was able to diagnose the problems and restart the Print Server myself.
But why should a use have to tweak a product like this every few weeks?
SLOW PERFORMANCE
Printing graphics files or PowerPoint presentations that are just 3MB or bigger through this Print Server is very slow. What prints in 1-2 minutes with a direct USB connection takes more than 10 minutes with this Print Server.
CONCLUSION
Iffy reliability is a deal breaker for me. If you have more luck with the connection be aware of the slow printing speeds, which are unacceptable for printing large files, but may be acceptable for basic documents and spreadsheets.
9 Perfect solution to network your USB printer!
Works great right out of the box. It can be set up in minutes by following the simple instructions. I wanted to get my HP PSC 2200 printer on my wireless network using Netgear's WGR614 router. The printer's USB cable goes in one end of the Netgear PS121 print server, Ethernet cable comes out the other end and into the router. Now I can print wirelessly using my IBM laptop and Netgear's WG511 wireless card. A fraction of the cost of wireless print servers. If you want to network your USB printer, this product's for you!
