Belkin Wireless 2-Port Print Srvr. ( F1UP0001 )

List Price: $151.53 Discount Price: $150.00

Features:

• Product Type - PrintServer
• Warranty - 1 year
• - Offers seamless printing from both Ethernet and wireless connections
• - Works with all IEEE 802.11b-compliant equipment

Accessories:

3-Year Extended Service Plan - Covers Electronic Items $0-$200 - Repair

Customer Reviews:

Good Value [Posted on 2007-05-13]
Server was extremely easy to set up and use. Perfect for the multiple printer environment.

Worked just fine with Multi-function printer [Posted on 2007-05-17]
I was concerned that with a multi-function printer it would not work at all (as many reviews had said).

The printing works great - the scan / fax don't work, but the printing works fine. The control software that comes with the printer gives a message like it isn't communicating, but the printer starts and everything runs from there.

Well worth it! [Posted on 2007-06-04]
It took me about 30 minutes to get this set up and working, including the time it took to install two printer drivers on one laptop. The instructions are a little sparse so a few key things to keep in mind when you are installing it:

1) Load the printer drivers on every PC you want to tie into the server BEFORE loading the Belkin server software. Hook the PC or laptop directly to the printer(s) via a USB cable FIRST. Test print to make sure it is working properly with a normal USB cable hookup. This can save you problems later.

2) After you ensure each PC or laptop has the respective driver(s) installed and will print to each printer with a cable hook up, disconnnect and connect the printer(s) USB cable into the back of the Belkin server. Then plug in its power cable and watch it light up. (the Belkin installation software will tell you to do this in the first step, after it warns you to ensure the printer drivers are installed first)

You do not run your wireless WIFI or DSL modem connection through the printer server, but you do need WIFI capability (a seperate wireless router) in your home/office for this server to work.

3) Follow the directions on the software and it will walk you through the steps to gain access to the printer(s) you have hooked up to the server. Keep in mind that it has to be via a USB connection as the port; other port connections won't work.

Also, if you get the message "Enable bi-directional support via the printer's Properties dialogue box," you will find this command in the port section under the printer's properties drop down menu under "Printer" when you double click the printer icon. It took me a few minutes to figure this out.

This little gem is a whole lot better than having to buy a printer for each PC or laptop. I have one laptop and two PCs tied into it, including the PC I have sitting right in front of the two printers we use. This initially seemed a little odd to me, but it works just as though it was connected via cable.

I highly recommend this wireless printer server.

Update on this 03/14/08: I changed out my wireless router and, as others have mentioned, be aware that this device will NOT support WPA encryption. I had to set my new router to WEP encryption to get this to continue to work. According to Belkin Customer Support: "We are sorry to say to you that the print server version 1xxx will not support the WPA encryption. Version 2xxx will support." I don't like having to lessen my security, but it is either that (for now) or not use this device. (For those that don't know, security-wise WEP is rated "good" compared to WPA "better" and WPA2 "best".) I have not really seen any other option that has good ratings/good performance, other than this one. Once I do change, I will most likely go to a wireless networking printer rather than a wireless server. Several of those have very high ratings and seem to be about the same price or cheaper as compared to buying one of the lower rated wireless servers.

Fine for home, but not for small business. [Posted on 2008-03-09]
I had a Hawking print server die at the office and bought this (Belkin makes quality stuff) to replace it. When I got it, the instructions tell you that you must first install the printers on the machines first and then remap their connections to the print server using their special software (just one more piece of bloatware to slow things down) so it acts like the USB port is directly on the PC. This is not feasible in an office with more than a dozen machines. To make matters worse, the "store" I bought it from had a major restocking fee (won't be doing business with them ever again), so I bought it off the company and am using it at home (all wireless laptops except the media server, so easy to move them and connect them to the printer first).

I wish Amazon had been more clear or provided a link to the install instructions so I would have avoided this one to begin with. Of course, if Belkin would have just made a wireless device that could have the two ports get assigned IP addresses like the Hawking product, it would have been fine. It's stupid to make you physically install the printer on the USB port then use their bloatware to assign that printer to one on the print server. Totally stupid.

Easy Setup [Posted on 2008-07-19]
First I am not one to write many reviews but I must comment on this product.
My Linksys print server went out on me so I began shopping for a new wireless print server. I already have a Belkin router so I chose this product thinking the installation would be easy and it was. My only problem I have had with both of the print servers is I have to connect to the host PC via the ethernet cable but the 3 other PCs in the house all find the printer with the installation software wirelessly. So far I am very pleased with the product.

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