| 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): |
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works like a charm.....finally, April 5, 2005
By Steve (Thousand Qaks, California)
I was apprehensive when ordering the Lynksis server, having read the previous reviews.
When the item arrived, I did spent quite bit of time setting it up, and it still wouldn't work. I began to wonder if my printer was one of those incompatible with this server. After resetting the server and starting all over, I realized that if the server was connected to the USB port of my printer it would not work, but when I connected the parallel cable (not included) to the server, it worked fine.Check the light on the front of the server to see if your connection is recognized, by being lit up. Had I tried this from the beginning it would have been a breeze.
I found the other reviews helpful.
Yes connect the server to your router from the start,let your router configure your address via the enclosed CD "Set Up Wizard".You can type your address in your Internet Explorer address, and configure the server that way. Unhook your router from the server and go wireless, but keep the printer/server close to your pc and keep configuring,so you don't have to keep running back and forth. Let the Windows XP configure your firewall via the Control Panel.If you have other firewalls, turn them off. I have a Sygate and Zonealarm running, and they both allow the server to function once configured. Don't give up. It works like a charm.
Shop around, the price range offered on the net is quite wide.
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No problems, prints beautifully from 3 different computers, April 3, 2005
By tech geek (SE Ohio)
I experienced no problems with installing this print server by following the directions included to the "T". It prints quickly and beautifully using the wireless from 3 different computers (all running XP Pro) to a Brother HL-2030 and a Canon i860.
I haven't had it long enough to know if it will require frequent resets, but right now I am tickled to death!
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Worked for me, but broken AC adapter, March 21, 2005
By dhwrd (Lansing, MI)
Works for me with one complaint: one of the AC adapter's prongs wasn't connected to anything within the AC adapter; the prong was loose and actually slipped into the adapter "black box" leaving an empty slot and only one prong! I had an extra ac adapter around, with a close enough match in volts and amps, which works well.
Installation was fine, I followed the directions and everything connected as indicated. I unplugged all, setup the printer and print server in their permanent location, turned all on, and everything works.
Tip: Directly connect each PC to your printer, install necessary print drivers, so printing works. When, during installation of the print server software, it's time to connect the PC's printer entry to the print server's port, the printer entry will already exist.
I ran across this problem when installing my second PC, as I had never used it to print to my printer. When it was time to connect the PC's printer entry to the print server's port, I had no printer entry on my PC. I had to manually connect the second PC to the printer, add the printer, disconnect it, then was able to connect the PC's printer entry to the print server's port during the print server driver installation.
My setup
* Comcast cable internet
* Linksys cable modem (BEFCMU10)
* Linksys wireless router (BEFW11S4)
* Windows XP Pro on one PC, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition on the other
If not for the broken ac adapter, I would have given 5 stars.
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I am sure it works, but not for me., March 13, 2005
By Mark Wolff (Boston, MA)
I've had relatively good luck with Linksys equipment in the past (we'll ignore the first three 4-port Linksys routers that bit the dust ofter working for only three months, but I digress). This Linksys print server, however, really disappointed me. My entire network is Linksys and I could never get the print server to do it's job.
I have a multi-function HP printer, and I just saw some other reviews with my same issue. The least Linksys could have done was provide a list of supported (or unsupported) equipment so I didn't have to waste a weekend trying to get it to work.
The only piece of networking equipment that has never gone bust on me has been my little 4-port hub that comes with me when I am travelling for work and visiting customers. Oh, wait... that's a Netgear hub I own.
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Multifunction Printer Owners Beware!, March 9, 2005
By Remember the Maine!
I suppose this product might be good for those of you who have non-multifunctional printers, i.e., printer/scanner/copier. However, I (like many of you) have a multifunction printer - a Lexmark X83 to be precise - and this print server is not compatible with this model of printer. This was verified by tech support at Linksys. The tech rep even told me that most multifunction machines are not compatible with this. Needless to say, I returned it. You have been forewarned.
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This item is not compatible with Multifunction Printers..., March 5, 2005
By Michael R. Stiteler (Charleston, SC)
Hi,
Purchased this for a great customer. Worked for 5 hours in their home, then for 4 more in mine to try to get this beast to work. What an embarrassment. Will not work with their Dell 962 multifunction. Broke my customer's Windows printing installation, so after I left he could not print to his connected printer. Tried System Restore and completely broke XP...need to reinstall.
WORST LINKSYS PRODUCT I'VE EVER WORKED WITH.
MS
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great product, easy set up, March 4, 2005
By isabel (Central, SC)
I have been seeing a lot of complaints about this product, however, as a big fan of linksys, I still went ahead and made the purchase, which turned out to be a great investment.
Installation is straight-forward:
1. Install printer drivers on your computers
2. Plug the ethernet cable to print server
3. Without using the wizard, try to find the ip address of print server. If the server is hooked up onto a wireless router, usually if the IP of your router is 192.168.x.1, then the IP of the print server is going to be 192.168.x.2-4, mine was 4. You can try to ping, if it goes through, then it probably is the right IP.
4. On a computer that's connected to the LAN, type the IP address you just found in your favorite browser, login and configurate.
5. After you've done everything, unplug the wire, and now the wireless should work. I assigned a fixed IP to the print server so that it won't change thereafter.
6. Now hook up your printer(s), and browser to find the printers in windows or linux.
Total time estimated: 15 minutes.
Okay, I know it's more like a set up instruction, but I feel pretty good about this product. The set up was easy, and it's quiet stable, I had no issue after printing couple files.
The downside is it doesn't support WPA, so that I had to downgraded the security of my wireless network to 128bit WEP, linksys hasn't update firmware since 2003. Other than that, the only thing you got in print is the easy set up instruction, which is not a big issue for me, but might be annoying to others.
Overall, it's a good product from a company that you can trust.
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Incompatible, February 20, 2005
By W. Sellars (Wilmington, NC)
No incompatibility list from the vendor... it just never worked.
It did not work with any of MY printers, multi-function or single-function, ink jet or laser jet per Linksys.
They need a compatibility list. Worst Linksys product I have every attempted use.
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Avoid this print server and you'll be happy, February 12, 2005
By free person (California's Fertile Central Valley)
if what you have is a desire to print on a wireless network, that is.
I bought this product for a Lexmark single-function printer. It never worked. It never indicated an incompatibility problem; it just never worked.
I bought an HP multi-function printer recently and tried again. Was able to get my GF's W2K PC to print, once, and then she lost her association with the printer. My XP PC never worked.
Called Linksys and spoke with a nice woman who, although she was monolingual Hindi-speaking, did repeatedly and courteously read from her script and was unable to assist me in any way before thanking me for my 45 minutes on the phone and ending the conversation.
This print server is a POS and Linksys never mentioned anything about compatibility issues... apparently my print server is incompatible with printers.
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No problems so far - recommended, February 6, 2005
By Michael V (Madison, WI USA)
I feel the pain of the several folks who complained about this not working. But I suffered none of the issues cataloged in those reviews.
I did follow the tips kindly suggested by others, and had only one minor glitch: the Setup Wizard initially did not see the PrintSever. The simple fix was to exit and restart the Setup Wizard. Then everything went very smoothly. I installed the printers beforehand; shutdown my firewall; disabled WEP, etc. No problems, and all my usual configuration is back to normal within an hour. ZoneAlarm did not require any tweaking, and I am printing without having to temporarily disable ZoneAlarm.
I've a DSL connection, and for the setup, I simply detached my access point from the DSL modem and relocated it temporarily while I configured the printserver, for convenience. Lifting the bridge over the moat, as it were, also made me feel better about disabling ZoneAlarm for the installation.
The Linksys documentation isn't explicit about this: Once the PrintServer is configured, you install the PrintServer driver on other network computers using the Setup Wizard's "User Install" option. You can do this wirelessly, using the Setup Wizard CD. Be sure to have installed the printer driver(s) on those other computers, before installing the PrintServer driver.
My Linksys PrintServer has Firmware Version 6032, dated 11/17/2003 - which is what's available on the Linksys web site as of 2/5/2005. I'm using Win XP Pro SP 2 on an old Gateway CPU; Win XP Home SP 2 on a Toshiba laptop; ZoneAlarm Pro version 5.5.062.004, and a Hewlett-Packard Laserjet 2420dn, a nice machine with duplex printing built-in. I leave the Microsoft XP firewall disabled. I have a mix of Linksys and Netgear wireless cards, and a Linksys BEFW11S4 ver. 2 access point/router/switch.
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Important Quick tips!, January 25, 2005
By Paul (New York, NY)
I spent about 8 hours trying to get this device to work. It was all configured correctly and print jobs were going to the queue, but nothing was printing. I tried this on 2 different printers. Including the QMS 1250W and a Dell A960 printer.
Frustrated, I eventually called Linksys support.
The first thing the support agent told me was to hold down the "Reset" button for 3 - 5 seconds. It should print out the configuration details including the IP address. If this does not print, it indicate the device does not support your printer!!!
How easy is that?
Why does Linksys not include this very helpful and simple tip in the quick start???
However, if you are trying to print a test page, you probably have already bought the device.
I would strongly recommend avoiding frustration and call Linksys prior to buying the item. That way you will avoid having to return the item when you find out your device is not supported.
Come on Linksys, you have let me down this time around!!
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It is somewhat tricky, but it does work!, January 24, 2005
By John T. Ohm (St. Louis)
Ok, first off, i did get this to install and it is working fine.
I am running Windows XP with sp2. My printers are an Epson c80 and a Samsung ML-1740. My wireless router is a US Robotics 8054.
Please look through the other reviews, there are many helpful hints. I will try to summarize them here. A note for those of you using multi-function devices: Print servers may allow you to print to your multi-function device, but they most likely will NOT allow you to operate the other functions. It is a PRINT server, not a scan/copy/fax server. Again these functions may work, but be aware, that the device you are reading about is not designed nor intended to be used in this way due to the nature of communications (bi-directional) required for scan/copy/fax activities.
To the setup:
You MUST physically connect the print server to your network via ethernet cable to initially install it. The print server has no way of knowing what your network setting are, and will NOT even attempt to find them out.
I would advise you to turn off firewalls, to prevent those types of problems.
I went through the setup program on the cd, and followed along in the instruction manual that came with the unit. Take your time, and be patient. It does work.
The utility will look for the print server on the network, if it is connected by ETHERNET CABLE, it should be able to be found.
I suggest assigning a static IP to the print server. This will help with two problems. 1. It makes it less likely that the print server will become "lost" on the network as computers log on and off and IP numbers are released and assigned. 2. It makes it easier to administer the print server as you always know what the ip address is for it.
Set the Print server's password, use something strong. Printer ink/toner is expensive, don't less rogue users waste it.
Wireless settings screen - VERY IMPORTANT (this is what tripped me up for a while). (I am adding this to an infrastructure network.)
1. The SSID is CaSe SeNsItIvE
2. Check the channel on your wireless router, no really check it and make sure they match.
3. Make sure you set the print server to the appropriate network type. Either Infrastructure or AD-Hoc.
Wireless Security screens - also VERY IMPORTANT
First, no this print server is not cabaple of WPA, but 128-bit WEP is better than nothing. I do wish that Linksys/Cisco would have changed that particular feature, but still.
So use 128-bit.
Enter a passphrase or click next to enter the HEXADECIMAL number manually.
NOTE: The key is HEXADECIMAL, if your router is set up using ASCII, you must change it to HEX.
This may go without saying, but all the wireless and security settings MUST BE THE SAME between the print server and the router.
Next you have to install the print server driver. And yes you have to set this up on all of the computers that will print on your network.
On the install CD splash screen it is the "User Install" link.
Install it to the location of your choice. Then run it.
Your ethernet cable should still be hooked up.
Ok, it asks if you are ready to begin, click ok.
Select a port and click "ok". One thing also to note. The first port is the parallel port, the second port is the USB port.
It should add the port succesfully, and tell you so.
If your printer is already installed select it from the list and click "connect". If not, (i deleted all mine from my "Printers and Faxes") then select "Add new printer".
i recommend replacing the print drivers even if they are the same, this makes sure your driver files are uncorrupted. After the printer is added, you should return into the Port setup screen. The port you just setup, should now be yellow and have an "x" next to it. Repeat the procedure for the other printer (if applicable). Make sure you hit "connect" (with the printer highlighted), for BOTH printers.
Install the drivers on all computers on your network. And try printing from all the computers use wordpad or word or notepad in addition to doing test pages.
Once all the computers are set up, then you can switch over to wireless mode. As the other reviews say, unplug the print server's power, then unplug the ethernet cable. Wait 2 or 3 minutes before plugging it back in. You do NOT need to hit reset. If all the wireless settings (most importantly security) are correct, it will log onto the wireless network and you will be all set. ENJOY!
If it still doesn't work, go back though the guide step-by-step and rad through the reviews of people who got it to you. Be patient, and in most cases you should be able to figure it out.
If you are hesitent, buy it locally, and you can take it back if necessary.
Good Luck! and be patient, mine works fine!
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Wirlesss Print Server Consistently Unreliable, January 16, 2005
By C. E. Crumbley
Twice a month the server lost its programming. There is very little in the manual that could help. Calling for support meant an around the world conversation which was not helpful or the support worker did not know what to do. I finally disconnected the server and gave up. It was a waste of money.
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Not stable, January 14, 2005
By shadowplay_jw (Sunny San Diego)
I purchased this print server to be used with a Samsung laser printer (via USB). I do not need the wireless capabilities, but I opted for it for future expansion.
I find that the print server is flakey in my setup. Half the time, the printer cannot be found on the network. To fix this, I have to unplug and replug the power cable. This seems to reset everything and I'll be able to print a few things before it happens again.
Note that this is using the simplest of all possible network setups -- static IP address through ethernet, and I still have problems!
I have been hoping that Linksys would fix the quirks and release a new firmware, but since it's been over a year, I suspect any future Linksys support is unlikely.
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Works Great, January 8, 2005
By Marco A. Alvarez
I was able to configure my Canon MP780 with the wireless router with no problems. Eventhough I have seen other reviews that state that this product will not work with multifunction printers I have found this not to be the case.
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Setup is Tricky, but it Works as Advertised!, January 5, 2005
By Deb Adair (San Jose, CA)
Thanks to the tips posted by other reviewers, I got my WPS54GU2 up and running with both my old Laserjet 4MV and HP DeskJet 970 on the third try. I needed a solution to be able to print to my Laserjet from a laptop with no serial printer port & this PrintServer seemed like a great solution, since it enables me to print to both my printers. Like others, though, I found the setup process frustrating.
Here are a few additional tips that you might find useful:
- You should be able to print a diagnostic page by holding down the PrintServer's reset button for two seconds. If nothing prints when you release the reset button, your printer might not be supported. The diagnostic page contains the PrintServer's current configuration--I found this very helpful when I was trying to figure out why the PrintServer wasn't talking to my wireless network.
- When I switched over to wireless mode, the PrintServer couldn't talk to my wireless router to get an IP address, so it defaulted to an IP that was completely bogus for my network. Following the reset procedure in the manual failed to reset the IP & I could no longer talk to the router to administer it. Argh! I used the Linksys LinkChat web support, and apparently got lucky, because the person seemed to recognize the problem & told me how to reset the PrintServer: hold down the reset button for 30 seconds, and then unplug it. Wait for about 30 seconds, plug in the Ethernet cable, and plug the PrintServer back in.
- Tech support recommended using the Web configuration utility to configure the PrintServer, but I ended up using the BiAdmin Management utility & that worked fine. From my experience & other comments, I'd avoid using the setup wizard to configure the PrintServer.
- Giving the PrintServer a static IP enabled me to debug the problems with my wireless configuration, but it's working fine now with DHCP.
- The SSID is case-sensitive. That's why my initial attempts at getting the thing to work in wireless mode failed. There are lots of other minor errors that can have the same effect--not having the channel number set correctly, entering an invalid key, etc., etc.
In the end, most of my problems stemmed from user error. Good docs would have made the process less painful, but configuring any wireless device on a secure network is a pain given the current technology--that's not just a Linksys issue.
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Does not support multi function printers, December 31, 2004
By Just a guy (Deleware)
The manual nor tech support seem to know this until you get to level II tech. That's when they informed me the server would not work with multi function printers.
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This is a piece of junk, December 29, 2004
By canoe man (Mojave Desert, CA USA)
DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP
ALL OF THE BAD REVIEWS ARE TRUE.
THE DIRECTIONS ARE WORTHLESS AND THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS WORSE.
IT WILL NOT WORK WITH THE NEWER MULTIFUNCTION PRINTERS.
THE SET UP IS HORRIBLE.
THIS IS A DISGRACE TO LINKSYS, PRODUCING A PRINT SERVER LIKE THIS.
I HAVE MANY OTHER LINKSYS PRODUCTS, BUT NOT ONE OF THEM, DID I HAVE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS i HAD WITH THIS.
BACK TO THE STORE WITH THIS WASTE OF PLASTIC AND PARTS.
I HAVE NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED OR COME SO CLOSE TO JUST TAKING THIS PIECE OF CRAP OUT TO THE BACK YARD AND BLASTING THE LIVING SNOT OUT OF IT WITH A TWELVE GAUGE SHOT GUN.
STAY CLEAR
STAY CLEAR
STAY CLEAR.
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
do you think I got my opinion accross?
Too bad you cant give out 0 stars rating.
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poor documentation - outsourced indian tech support, December 26, 2004
By Tracy Thibault (Santa Clara, CA)
ok folks here is my experience with this print server.
IT WAS A PAIN TO SETUP - but once I got it working it worked fine with no troubles so far.
I read the poorly written documention ( doesn't make any suggestions for trouble shooting ) as I followed it to a tee. My router could not even find the darn print server at all.
When calling the outsourced techsupport I had a hard time being patient with them as they answered my questions as if they were dancing around them. I don't expect tech support to know everything and I caught one not admitting he didn't know the answer. after I made a few more calls I got someone who actually spoke english well enough and knew what was happening. She was a much more pleasant experience. if you're having trouble with your router I would suggest doing the following before calling tech support.
1. turn off printer
2. unplug power from print server
3. (first time setup) Plug in an ethernet cable to server and plug in the power.
4. turn printer back on after about 10 seconds. (gives a little extra time to acquire an IP from the router, it helped)
5. run setup wizard from CD and follow your documentation from this point on.
6. after you tested the setup with your ethernet cable, turn off printer, turn off print server, unplug ethernet cable, plug in print server, turn on printer, test print, and Viola all should work fine.
if you have WEP settings be sure to have it handy before going through the process of setting up the print server.
if you need info about the print server itself (like the mac adress). while the printer is on you can hold down the reset button on the back of the print server to get additional info. the info will be sent to your printer and printed out.
Last, even though tech support sucked they all managed to slip me more info about problems with their hardware. I would suggest calling them if you don't get your product working within a reasonable amount of time.
my setup worked with WEP 128 and no trouble so far. Though I should point out that tech support did mention they are having trouble with multi function printers ( as in those that take pictures from your cameras and/or memory cards to print from.) and linksys is aware of it. She could not give me an answer as to why and pushed me to find current drivers for the printer.
I took the whole after noon to rebuild a wireless network for my parents. ALL linksys/cisco products. Personally I would go with a competitors products next time. Though I will give cisco a thumbs up for trying hard at staying in the home market.
I hope this at least helped a few people after readying this.
TTFN
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Not functional, December 25, 2004
By Ammar (Alexandria, Virginia 22309)
This item does not work with multi-fuction printers. The manual does not say that. So i thought it would work so i tried it out and it did not work. So i call ed Linksys and we went through some steps to fix the server which took 30 mins. then she said that she will transfer me to level 2 support what ever that is i was on hold for an hour. then the man on level 2 said that the linksys print server is not compatible with multi-function printer. he also said that Linksys does not make Print servers for mult-function printers.
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