| Linksys WPS54GU2 Wireless-G Print Server for USB 2.0 |
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Model: WPS54GU2
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 173
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Share up to two printers with everyone on your network -- works with most parallel and USB (1.1 or 2.0) printers
Connects your printers directly to the network by 10/100 wired Ethernet or 54Mbps Wireless-G (802.11g)
No need to dedicate a PC to print server chores
Remotely administered through your web browser, SNMP, or the included utility
Easy installation with Setup Wizard |
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| Description: |
| The LINKSYS WPS54GU2 lets you connect a USB or Parallel printer (or both!) directly to your network, eliminating the need to dedicate a PC to print sharing chores. Using a PrintServer frees your "print share PC" so you don't have to leave it on all the time. And it removes the printing bottleneck, setting your PC free to do more useful work! Remotely administered through your web browser, SNMP, or the included utility |
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| User Reviews (173 total): |
Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 of Total 8 Pages
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Ho-Hum, October 18, 2007
By Marvin E. Woody
I worked primarily with Cisco routers/switches before retiring. This print server is just "Okay" because the Linksys WPS54GU2 supports only WEP, Not the better security of WPA. Since I run WPA2 in my home network, I use it as a wired PServer. If WEP is good enough for your network, ok.
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Worked great for a week, then stoped working, May 17, 2007
By Zoran Lazarevic (New York, NY, USA)
Installation was streightforward, and the print server worked great - for a week or two. Then it started acting up. It would print a few pages, then time out. Or it would not print at all. Cycling power would make it print the next few pages, and than it stalls again.
Sniffing IP packets through Ethereal showed that that connection attempt SYN was immediately RESetted. We used this WPS54GU2 on two printers, a Brother and a Xerox WorkCentre via USB. On the other end of the connection is a Linksys access point.
I wish this device did not work from start, so I would not have wasted so much time.
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It will work, eventually..., April 29, 2007
By CTSTechs.com (Huntington Beach, CA USA)
I won't go into detail about my credentials, but I am a seasoned IT professional who has set up over 100 network printer interfaces and print servers, internal and external, from nearly every hardware vendor out there. I was able to get this unit to work as per the directions with an Epson Stylus C82 (USB interface) without issue.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I could not get it to work with a trusty, corporate standard (last millennium at least) Hewlett Packard LaserJet 5! Simple parallel interface, high quality Belkin 6' IEEE-1284 compliant cable, stock Windows XP drivers -- This should have been a no-brainer!
Test pages from the web interface worked fine, and the printer was recognized (On-line) but actual print jobs via the Windows driver produced unpredictable, but never functional results. Only once did the output look at all like the Windows test page, and then only roughly.
I was about to give up, when I reread the entire manual and saw information about the "Bi-Admin" utility, which is used (among other things) for configuring the bidirectional parallel and other parameters. This, it turns out, was crucial to getting this printer to work with the device. Long story short, after I enabled "ACK & Busy" for P1 (parallel port) on the "Configuration -> Physical Port" menu item, everything worked perfectly. I tried to enable ECP mode, but it would not save that setting.
If you are an experienced user or tech, you should probably read up on how to configure this without their kludgey software driver. Set it up in Windows 2000 or later as a standard TCP/IP interface using LPR. Parallel port gets queue name of P1, USB is P2. Clean, simple, and reliable.
I have not even tested the wireless capability yet, but everyone seems to say it works for basic configurations. Don't expect a lot in terms of wireless security (WEP only) but it does the job.
One more thing: as many others have mentioned, you should make SURE this device is configured with a static IP address. If this confuses you, get help from someone who knows what they are doing. Sadly, this probably does NOT mean Linksys "Tech Support" who will likely tell you that they cannot help you determine the settings for your home/business network.
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Excellent - Just What I Needed, February 13, 2007
By Hawaii CFI (Honolulu, HI USA)
Just what I needed to allow two wirelessly connected computers to use one printer. I particularly wanted the Linksys because I have an ALL-Linksys type of wireless system already. It makes a big difference if you can stick with the same company's products as far as compatibility is concerned.
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Not a lot of choices, January 30, 2007
By Bill AZ (Glendale, AZ United States)
I purchased this about 9 months ago. I had problems with the installation and was on with tech support for the better part of an hour. Because my printer is a bit older and not plug and play ready, a lot of the functions had to be disabled. The product worked for about 6 months but is now not fuctioning. I am being asked to return it for a replacement, but I am finding they do not support this model any longer. With the price of printers/faxes these days, I might as well replace my fax and buy one with a USB and a new wireless server to boot.
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Does what I want, January 19, 2007
By C. Jones (Vermont)
I purchased this to extend my network and move a printer into a room without a computer or network in it. It works - the custom software on the PC works. I haven't been able to get the WEP security to work (it only support an old version of the standard). I originally hooked it up to two printers, HP LJ 5p on parallel port, and a HP Photosmart 1100 on USB. Both worked fine. The parallel port feature is why I bought it, most devices only have USB today. I lost bi-directional communication (so I can't see toner level, ink levels etc). I had to remove the Photosmart because the printer server seemed to have some kind of buffer overflow issue when printing large color photos (I'd get 1/2 a page and then junk would start spewing). But the HP 5p works fine (don't they all!). Small and easy to configure, doesn't support the latest security features, discontinued product (no firmware updates available), doesn't support the "standard" 54g security options. I got it cheap and it does what I need it to do - we can print from the laptop without wires.
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Never worked., January 3, 2007
By J. Harvin (Texas)
I bought this product with great hopes for making my house wireless, but it never worked. After I made sure that I followed the directions properly, I called customer service and spent 2 hours on the phone trying to fix the problem. Eventually, they told me to mail it in for an exchange. That was 3 months ago. I called a month ago and they told me the product was on backorder and that they could not give me an estimate of when it would be available.
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poor quality control, December 30, 2006
By J. A. White
I have had various WiFi networking solutions in my home and office for several years. While some Linksys units have worked for me, more often I have found them undependable. In particular, the WPS54GU2 set up fine, but I almost always had to cycle the power to get it to work each time I printed. Not worth the hassle.
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Easy to configure, easy to use, November 13, 2006
By Robert Hogan (AR)
This is a great product. It is easy to configure-about 10 minutes. It is easy to use for wired and/or wireless applications or hybrid of both. I have not had any trouble out of the two I have.
It will drive both USB and parallel printers.
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OK if you have a fair wind and you know what you're doing, November 10, 2006
By Wilbur (Minneapolis, MN USA)
This device works for me. No problem with it recognizing the printer. I did have a few issues getting it to connect to my Linksys wireless network, but it was simply a case of using the right key number sequence. As with every Linksys device I've ever bought, the configuration utility on the CD failed to identify the device on the network, so I had to configure it manually from its web interface, but - after about an hour - I had it working and printing to my HP Laserjet 1100 parallel printer. Speed is fine, range is not great but that could be related to my house and network. I've also had to reinstall the printer on the PC that uses it and that can be a bit tedious. It works but I have to say that Linksys has really gone downhill in the last two years, with poorer software, less reliable hardware and generally more trouble getting stuff to work. They used to be the standard bearer, now they're barely average. Still, this works for me so I guess I'm happy.
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sucks, October 18, 2006
By jonfox (new york, ny)
this thing sucks, as does their telephone support. was told that it didn't support using 2 computers. it seems it should. am still on hold while i write this.
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This is a really small piece of junk, September 30, 2006
By Jim (Swartz Creek, MI)
DO NOT BUY THIS!!! I am VERY disappointed in Linksys. It is choosy about what printers is will use. It is PC-only! No network utilities for set-up.
I bought it a while back and figured at first it was because my printer was old. Now I am seeing that the thing just doesn't work with anything.
It is too late for me to send it back, but not too late for you to find a better product!
Shame on you, Linksys!
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Not as advertized, August 31, 2006
By Joseph A. Tilmant (Eagle, Idaho)
This print server can not be used with all-in-ones yet this is not pointed out in any documentation. Server is very limited in what printers it can be used with. Would not recommend for any general home or office use.
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Awesome Product, August 18, 2006
By C. Hackson (Sunnyvale, CA)
Once we got it setup it works great. I had to get tech support to help me setup the Linksys router and music brige but the print server was straight forward. My system is a little complicated by my DLS box having a an IP address that conflicts with the default router IP address. Linksys tech support was great in helping me through the router setup process and that made setting up the printer server a snap.
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WEP Problems, August 8, 2006
By Daniel Wunder
It's a pain to set up if your network has encryption.
It's a pain to set up printer drivers on the individual computers (but that's true for all print servers).
Once its been set up it works very well.
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Great product for old parallel printers, August 6, 2006
By SkykingUSA (Southern CA, USA)
Great product for old parallel printers. Works as advertised, although I am not currently using the wireless functionality - I have it hooked up with a cable.
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LINKSYS PRINT SERVER WIRELESS G WPS54GU2, July 24, 2006
By Ethel C. King
THIS IS THE WORST PRODUCT THAT LINKSYS HAS EVER MADE. IT TOOK THREE TELEPHONE CALLS AND ONE MORE TO LINKSYS CHAT ON THE WEB TO RESOLVE IT. THIS PRODUCT LEAVES OUT IMPORTANT DETAILS SUCH AS IP ADDRESS NEEDED TO BE INPUTED MANUALLY. IT ALSO DOES NOT TELL YOU THAT YOU MUST INSTALL PRINT SERVER DRIVER ON ALL COMPUTERS TO BE ABLE TO PRINT TO THE PRINTER YOU ARE USING. THEIR TELEPHONE SUPPORT IS A JOKE. RESPONSES ARE WRITTEN FROM A SCRIPT AND THERE IS NO BASIC COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE TO BE HAD, I KNEW MORE THAN THEY DID. ALL IN ALL I WOULD NOT RECCOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYONE. LINKSYS SHOULD PULL THIS PRODUCT FROM THE MARKET OR LOWER PRICE AND STATE BUY AS IS. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH LINKSYS PRODUCT AND SUPPORT SERVICE
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Lynksys WPS54GU2 Print Server, July 24, 2006
By Sneezy (Greensboro, NC)
It is OK that it doesn't work with multi-function printers, although it would be nice if they noted that fact on the box; but it has to at least PRINT. It never did work with my Epson printer and I sent it back. Spend some time hunting around their web site for compatability before you buy.
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Had it for 2 years and today it has crapped out..., July 15, 2006
By Tobor (Clinton, MD USA)
Used it with an HP Laser Jet 1200 (parallel port) and a Canon i320 on USB port.
The Item worked once configured without a hitch ... until lately
now it intermittently with continuing frequecy is: "Printer not found on server, unable to connect"
I kept powering it up and down, and could not reach from several machines on the same network. Could print to other machines/printers wirelessly... even plugged in a LAN cable. It works once than dies.
It's time for a new one, don't know if it will be another of these or not.
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Be weary of buying this print server (or any)..., July 8, 2006
By D. Citino (USA)
For a customer with novice-to-intermediate networking skills, this wireless print server is quite a challenge. Some key areas to think about:
1. Printer compatibilty - your printer (and its standard drivers) may never work with this print server. The problem is that Linksys support does not have a compatibility chart that they are willing to publish. I was told by a tech that my printer, Dell A960 is about "50-50" working with this print server. Needless to say I am on the wrong side of that 50.
2. Linksys support is nearly impossible to get tailored support from. The scripts their techs run through include things like re-installing the print server or re-installing your printer drivers. To intermediate users, this becomes an exercise in futility and a waste of time.
In summary, if you are not a networking and/or Windows driver superstar, I recommend weighing the convenience of using a wireless print server with the pain and anguish of trying to get one set up! Keep in mind, it may never work unfortunately!
Good luck!
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