| D-Link DP-311P Wireless Print Server, 1-Centronics Port, 802.11b, 11 Mbps |
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Model: DP-311P
Brand: D-Link
Manufacturer: D-Link Systems, Inc.
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 22
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Easy Web-Based set-up & Configuration
Compact size for easy placement
802.11 standard compliant
1 parallel printer port to share a legacy printer on your network |
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| Description: |
| D-Link, the industry pioneer in networking, continues to offer innovative Ethernet products. The D-Link DP-311P is a wireless print server with one parallel port. With its high-speed IEEE 1284 port, the DP-311P allows those on your network to access and share a printer wirelessly no matter where they reside on the network.The DP-311P is equipped with one bi-directional parallel port with Centronics connector for direct connection to most printers available on the market today. No additional printer cable will be required. The DP-311P also supports all major network operating systems and protocols. The DP-311P is an 802.11b-compliant wireless Print Server that supports both infrastructure and Adhoc wireless modes. With the DP-311P you have the ability and convenience of sharing a printer beyond the wired network. The DP-311P is also easily configurable using a Web Browser or Windows based setup wizard. Using Web Browsers on a PC connected to the network, configuration is simple and straightforward with the familiar D-Link interface. PS Admin, a Windows-based configuration program can also be used to configure the DP-311P. The DP-311P Wireless Print Server is the ideal network printing solution for small offices, home offices, schools and other businesses that require printer sharing. |
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| User Reviews (22 total): |
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Difficult setup for D-Link DP-311P, January 12, 2007
By HP (Avon Lake, OH)
I am an experienced pc / wireless user, and I returned this product because I was unable to set it up. The installation manual was complicated / unclear, as well.
Linksys Wireless-G user.
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It is a good product, only if you know how to configure it., September 8, 2006
By Shaobo Zeng
I got this product recently, before I purchased it, I viewed some negative reviews on this DP-311P, but I still bought it and tried it out, it took me only about 10 minutes to finish. The user manual sucks, doesn't tell you very detailed what to do with different network situation, that is why some customers don't know what to do if they are not using D-Link wireless router. First, you need to change the IP address on one of your computers which has a wireless adapter to 192.168.0.XX with subnet mask 255.255.255.0 which means change the computer's IP same as DP-311P default IP scheme, so you can communicate with it. Remember before you do it, set the little switch on the back of 311P to "configure" position. After you changed the computer's IP, use either the wireless adapter connection wizard, or use ad-hoc to connect to 311P, then start IE/browser to access 192.168.0.10, you will see the configuration interface, from there you change the network settings to your existing network scheme (e.g. change IP address to 192.168.1.10 if you have Linksys router...), as well as the wireless settings. Some customers said 128bit encription deson't work, you have to change everything to 64bit, that is not correct. I sucessfully set it to use 128bit without any problem. Instead of using browswer to access the interface, you can also install the ps admin software come with the CD, start the program, it will find the server, you will be able to change all above settings within the program interface. After finish, remember set the back switch to "normal" position. Now, change your computer's IP back to original. Now your Print server should be ready to use. To add the printer, go to control panel and add printer from there, change the port to D-Link printer port and specify the IP address you gave the print server, such as 192.168.1.10. Print a test page, you are done. It is very easy.
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Worthless garbage, July 28, 2006
By Geoffrey M. Silver
First of all, let me state that I'm a systems/network engineer who has built out a wireless internet service provider that covers over 100 square miles. So, I know a thing or two about networking, both wired and wireless. In short, this device flat out does not work. I know some people complain that this device is only 802.11b, but 11Mbps (tops) is perfectly fine for printing, so I thought I was getting something useful cheap. I was wrong.
Two windows laptops and one Mac OS X 10.4.7 laptop can see the Ad-Hoc WLAN-PS network, but cannot connect. The Mac laptop fails to connect and asks if I want to try again. One of the Windows laptops tries to connect but will not succeed. The other connects, but for some tries to get a DHCP network address, even though I used a static address of 192.168.0.5. Even my Linux desktop couldn't see it.
After 3 hours wasted, it's going back to the store. After this experience, I won't be buy the Dlink 802.11g version, either.
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Very Tricky to Install!, March 13, 2006
By A Searcy (Sacramento, CA)
I read the other reviews before I purchased this product, so I was aware the installation was not easy. It was even difficult for my tech savy husband! Almost no documentation didn't help either. Even though installation wasn't a breeze, it works great. For our network setup it was the only option and I am glad that I purchased this product. Just beware - you may need some professional help for this!
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Does not work, horrible support, February 27, 2006
By V. Lee
After wasting two weeks trying to get this item to work with my wireless router (also by DLink), DLink support finally admitted that WEP encryption (an advertised supported feature) does not actually work on this device, and that they had no plans to fix it. It works fine on an unsecure wireless network, but if you use any kind of encryption, you're out of luck. Support is also extremely poor and unresponsive, failing to respond at all most of the time. Now I'm completely out 80 bucks.
BUYER BEWARE. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.
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Instructions for Mac Users, October 8, 2005
By Larry R. Macphee (Flagstaff, AZ USA)
This is a good product, but the instructions are not so great. In fact, Mac users don't get any instructions. This annoyed me, so I figured it out for myself. Here are my instructions for Mac users:
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~lrm22/technology/techstuff/wifi_printing/wifi_printing.htm
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Works Great, September 27, 2005
By bags (Apache Junction, AZ USA)
This is a good product providing you know how to configure a wireless network. I worked perfectly for me. This product does not hold your hand. It expects you to know how to change configurations in your computer without walking you through it. If you do not understand IP addressing and networks choose another device.
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Can't get it to work, and D-Link refuses to offer support, August 29, 2005
By BeforeISleep.net (Washington, DC)
This print server shows great promise but delivers nothing but frustration.
After following the provided instructions for Mac OS X, System Preferences was apparently able to recognize and set up the printer, but I still couldn't print to it. When I clicked "Print", I just got a message saying the computer was trying to connect -- for many minutes -- with no response from the printer. So I went back to the printer's web configuration page, which seems very nice in theory, but is completely unhelpful. The manual says the print server only works in "Ad Hoc" mode, but the configuration page has options to connect in "Infrastructure" mode. I have a vague sense of what the difference is between these two modes, and I know how to switch between these kinds of networks, but my vague sense and basic networking skills did me no good because it doesn't matter WHAT mode the printer is in -- it never prints.
Wait -- that is not exactly true. It prints one thing: the test page. Yep. When you're in the configuration web pages, you can click "Print Test Page," and it actually will. Fantastic! But that's where the success stops. It prints NOTHING other than the test page. Unfortunately, D-Link tech support politely informed me that if the test page prints, the print server works fine and I just don't know how to set up the printer. I should contact Apple to find out how to set up a printer, they said.
Excuse me? If ONLY the test page prints, the print server does not work fine. I attempted to sway them with my logic, but I was unsuccessful. "Thank you for calling D-Link," they said. I hung up.
The most irritating part of the whole ordeal was the e-mail I received from DLink the next day. It was a summary of my call:
"- Logged into the DP-311P
"- Printed test page (successful)
"Matthew has successfully printed a test page. Resolved."
I responded:
"I want to make sure you know that my technical support phone call was incredibly unhelpful. I had managed to get the test page printing from the configuration web site on my own, but the print server was totally unresponsive when I created an IP printer in Mac OS X. I waited thirty minutes to speak to David, who then informed me that he couldn't do anything for me because D-Link can't help past getting the test page to print in configuration mode.
"Well then what's the point of technical support? Simply getting the test page to print is NOT what most users want to do with their print server. I have years of experience working on Macs and I know how to set up a printer; that is not the issue. The issue is getting the D-Link to communicate with the printer under normal circumstances. Unless I can get this fixed, I will be forced to return the print server."
I received no response to my e-mail. After 2+ weeks of tinkering around with various computers, various networks, various settings, and various routers (including a D-Link router), I have Officially given up. I am returning this print server to the store, and I shall do everything possible to avoid buying DLink again. I recommend all reasonable users do the same.
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This thing just won't work., August 26, 2005
By PC User (Texas)
Spent 2 sessions with tech support with two different printers from differnet manufacturers, Brother and Samsung. Could not get it to work. An hour wait for tech support each time.
Have about 6 to 7 hours trying to make this work. Could have printed about 5,000 pages in same time.
Instruction manual is incorrect and all settings have to be entered manually.
Tech support told me to return it as defective.
I'll try another manufacturer.
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defective, August 14, 2005
By johnnyt (San Juan Cap. CA)
After about an hour on the phone with d-link tech support we came to the conclution that this product was defective!!!!! So It was returned!!!
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For the exceptionally patient, May 31, 2005
By Beanhauer (Bloomfield, MI)
The instructions are extremely poor. The first step includes a screen shot from a program that is not necessary or included with the product. It seemed to require that I hard code my IP address, which then makes my PC incompatible with my internet provider. I'm sure I could have worked out the network settings, or spent some time on the phone with tech support. Instead, I decided that any product that couldn't by installed in less than 3 hours by a Computer Science and a Computer Engineering major probably needed to go back to the store.
Before you buy this, decide how much of your time wireless printing is really worth...and whether some other option might waste less of it.
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great print server, January 9, 2005
By novrain
This is a great print server. A neat wireless printing solution for Windows users (I only have Windows, don't know about Mac). It has been working perfectly with my Brother 1440 laser printer for two months. Follow the installation instructions carefully to set it up. Once it's running, this print server is maintenance-free.
The only drawback is that it only supports 802.11b (11Mbps) which is kind of outdated nowadays. Yes 11Mbps is enough for a printer and all new 802.11g (54Mbps) routers can work with the 802.11b devices, but mixing the two together could lower the throughput of your wireless network.
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Doesn't work with some printers, December 18, 2004
By Lynne A. Killey
I spent 2 months and several hours trying to make this work. Their tech support had me buying a new router, then a new wireless access point only to tell me now that it is not compatible and i should return it.
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Incompatible with Compaq iPAQ Connection Point CP-2W, August 17, 2004
By Mr. High Expectations (Boston, MA)
I have a Brother HL-5150D laser printer and our household network is driven by a Compaq iPAQ Connection Point CP-2W router. Although the D-link DP-311P could detect our network, it was unable to receive a DHCP single. We could get the printer recognized on the network by 1) using the wrong network channel and 2) a static IP address. This allowed the printer to function perfectly for a limited period of time. Somewhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours, the printer would "fall off" the network and was no longer recognized by our computers. For our computers to re-recognize the printer, the Compaq router had to be turned off and then on.
I recommend only using wireless hardware that all come from the same manufacture to avoid these conflicts.
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Both Mac and Windows Wireless Printing, August 17, 2004
By B. Carver (CA USA)
I got this so that my wife could wirelessly print from her iBook and also from her Windows desktop. That ended up working out great. But all my computers run Linux and I cannot figure out how to get any of them to print using the DP-311P. D-link also categorically refused to give me ANY information about using it with Linux. I knew they wouldn't provide phone support for Linux, but Linksys at least gives directions on how to set up their comparable wireless print server with Linux. I even asked D-link to just give me the technical specifications of the DP-311P so that maybe I could figure it out myself. They wouldn't even do that. So, I'm stuck with a mysterious "black box" that won't allow me complete wireless printing bliss. If you need Mac and Windows printing, the DP-311P has worked great. If you also need Linux printing, try the Linksys.
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Works well once configured, March 9, 2004
By unknown
Now that the DP311-P is configured to work with my Linksys AP my entire family thinks wireless printing is almost better than wireless access. The product is working with an old NEC 860 laser and two laptops - one XP Home and one Windows 2000. One has Linksys card the other Orinoco. The real issue is that the documentation to work with a non D-Link Access Point is terrible. I have to believe that if D-Link did decent documentation their support costs would fall dramatically.Played with this for 2 hours, got it to print in config mode but never in normal mode. Used both laptops. Linksys card makes set-up virtually impossible as provides no info on what network you are on. Finally called D-Link; on hold for 2 minutes, technician solved network issue in about 4 minutes - was not on Linksys AP's IP address. Worked with XP perfectly. Tried to print with w2000. Kept printing same document over and over. Called D-Link after numerous permutations of setting up printer config. No help. Kept at it. Turns out W2k wants you to use the D-LINK printer settings that do not exist in XP for printer set-up. Seems logical but nowhere is this mentioned in D-Link documentation. In fact they have no W2k documentation. Summary - product A+, tech support B, Documentation F
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Not as easy as it looks!, February 7, 2004
By fuzzeebttm (West Orange, NJ USA)
After installing the antenna and connecting the power I was thrown into the abyss known as "tech support." After the first call waiting time of 15 minutes, and a support tech that ignored the printed directions that came with the product, it seemed that I was out of the woods. It appeared that both the printer and PC were talking. Unfortunately the tech was not permitted to stay on the line while I tested the printer and after rebooting my system I was plummetted back into the abyss. This time it was a 30 minute wait to speak to a "trained" professional. This time all of my current network settings were reset and I was left unable to either print or connect to the internet on my current wireless network. Next stop - "Level 2" support! This call included a 1 hour wait and even less help than the Level 1 tech support was able to provide. It seems that the 2nd tech's solution left the DP311P permanently disabled and requiring reconfiguration at the factory. The supervisor that I spoke to wouldn't even provide a mailing address so I could write a letter to customer service! What did I get for my 4 hours of time? A trip back to Best-Buy and a refund receipt!
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just ignore the instructions, January 15, 2004
By unknown
If you ignore the instructions for seting up the print server, setup is a snap. just turn off your printer, hook up the device in normal mode, power the device, power the printer. then follow the quick setup guide for your individual computer settings and it works in 10 min. flat.
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Print server - that works! (With OS X as well!), December 23, 2003
By unknown
While it wasn't the eaisiest thing to install (requires some computer smarts) D-Link did something that LinkSys could not: make a wireless print server that works as advertised.One word of advise for mac users: to use this printer, open print center, and use IP printing. Be sure to pick your correct printer model, or something close. If you don't, you'll have a pile of jibberish printed. Overall, very nice device. It feels magical when you see your printer printing not near a computer, and in your kitchen! You can place the printer anywhere in the house. If you want a print server, and are willing to put up with the hassles, this is the one to get... but be sure you have at least one computer whiz in your family.
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My Printer is FREE!, November 20, 2003
By One to Nothing! (Vermont)
Free from cables my Printer is. Setting this up was a little trickey/different than what I expected, but was easily figured out when I followed the instructions. The setup was over in about 10 minutes and I was able to print the first time we tried. Setting up new computers was also laid out step-by-step by the instructions so you don't do anything wrong.Very straight forward and well documented. Thanks to D-Link.
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