USB Print Server 2+ USB Port?

***Ozzie*** · 01-09-2005, 12:57 PM

I am going through my home network and cleaning things up...
Santa brought a photo printer to add to the laser printers we have and I'm looking for a USB Print Server to run printers from the network rather than sharing and having puters running to do it.

I need a minimum of two USB ports (two USB printers) - routers and switches are already in place.

The only unit I've found so far is this one...

...reviews look pretty lackluster, but I'm having trouble finding what I need.

Any suggestions?

**k0NG0** · 01-09-2005, 01:26 PM

I found one by D-Link that has two HiSpeed USB ports and one parallel port as well. It's even wireless (802-11g) but has a wired LAN port as well.

http://www.d-link.com/products/?sec=0&pid=336

Belkin has a WiFi-enabled one as well.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=165825

Another odd-branded one here.

http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cabl...atid=661%2C101

Trendware, another brand I've never heard of until my current Google adventure...

http://www.trendnet.com/products/TE100-P2U1P.htm

A 4-port USB one from Keyspan, another previously unknown company for me. Sounds like it should provide printer sharing, but it's not sold as a print server explicitly, so you might want to check it out more thoroughly...

http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/server/

Otherwise I can't find much. There doesn't seem to be products advertised as print servers with more than 2 USB ports. In the worst case, there ought to be USB->Parallel port converters for the print servers that have parallel connections as well. Just an idea I had.

***Ozzie*** · 01-09-2005, 02:12 PM

Very helpfull kONGO...

You definitely got better results than I have so far...

That Keyspan unit also supports multi function devices...something I haven't found yet. Very interesting...

This is for a home office that is constantly changing, so I would like to be able to run whatever equipment changes I make.

***Ozzie*** · 01-09-2005, 02:44 PM

I found a couple user reviews of that Keyspan unit...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cus...54827-1068065?

[snip]
I opened the packing box 10 MINUTES AGO, and both of my printers are up and running on every PC.

I was a little worried when I saw the 'documentation' was smaller than a CD, but everything went off without a hitch:

Step 1: Power up the USB server with no USB device hooked up to it, and connect it to the network via RJ45.
Step 2: Install the software (if WinXP, use the unsigned drivers). Your OS searches the network at this time and finds the USB Server.
Step 3: Hook up your USB devices.

THAT'S IT!!!

If you have a Multi-Function printer, you NEED this device, because even if you find a compatible print server, it will only let you use the print function. A Printer Server turns your Multi-Function printer into a Uni-Function Printer.

With this device, it will be just as if the printer were directly connected to your PC. In fact, you are not limited to PCs; you can connect ANY USB device to it (camcorder, scanner, webcam, even a mouse or keyboard).
[/snip]

Gotta love it...

The downside is it's only USB1 for the time being...but it isn't like I print constantly.

**k0NG0** · 01-09-2005, 02:53 PM

Sounds good. Glad I could help. That it supports multi-function printers is a nice feature.

***Ozzie*** · 01-09-2005, 10:04 PM

After looking things over a bit today I may be changing my mind.

Nearly all the units I have seen are USB1 and not USB2.
Something tells me I won't be happy without USB2 as one of these printers is for photos.

I did find only one two USB2 port print server (say that fast a few times) - http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...10387994&loc=0
Two USB2 ports is as many as I've found - and since it's a USB print server and not a USB server you can't use multifunction units or other USB devices.

I do like the idea of a USB server though - if it was USB2 it would already have been ordered.

Why is it what I want isn't available yet...there seems to be a trend here...
I suppose I could always hook up the photo printer on USB1 and see how bad it is.

**k0NG0** · 01-10-2005, 02:24 AM

The D-Link is HiSpeed USB as well, but it's wireless also, which adds to the price I suppose.

My parents bought a Canon Pixma iP4000 right after Xmas, and it's now hooked up to the parallel port of their 700MHz PIII and printing a photo on an A4 sheet of paper doesn't seem limited by the parallel port but by the printing speed. (But then again, if I hooked it up with the USB connection it might go much faster...

)

***Ozzie*** · 01-12-2005, 01:23 PM

I see something now that is bugging me...for now I have the USB printer plugged into a hub and kvm...everytime I change machines it gives me the disconnect usb warning and resets the connection.

I guess I really need that USB server...

I wonder if I could put external drives on that puppy...just imagine doing a daisy chain on one port...

***Ozzie*** · 01-13-2005, 12:52 PM

...a little more money, but this one has USB2 and supports multi function devices as well as USB storage devices. Up to NINE total shared devices...

http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.co...le.php/3392931

**k0NG0** · 01-13-2005, 12:55 PM

Sounds like you've found a winner there. It even supports IPv6! This thread's a keeper in any case.

***Ozzie*** · 01-13-2005, 01:04 PM

It looks like nobody has one yet - they are taking preorders...
I signed up for notification.

I think this is the one to have - it supports what I want plus I can run a hub for external drives too. This will rock!

A lot of the time I use posting these links as a method for referencing my research...

Thanks for your help kONGO...our research will benefit others...

**k0NG0** · 01-13-2005, 02:24 PM

Anytime, bud.

With this setup you could quite easily create a reasonably cheap NAS setup. A bunch of HiSpeed USB HDDs and this gizmo, and there you go. With 8 devices and LaCie's 1TB USB HDD you could really go nuts...

***Ozzie*** · 01-13-2005, 02:36 PM

I've been calling and reading up...they might be having supply issues as some have been on order for quite a while.

A couple of noteable points...

- The SX-5000U2 supports FAT12/16/32 formatted storage device only. NTFS format is not supported.

- With a USB hub connected, the SX-5000U2 can network up to 9 USB devices (max. 4 USB printers, 1 USB scanner, 4 USB storage devices)

Damn...I just put together 4 USB drives...and I used NTFS...

**k0NG0** · 01-13-2005, 02:43 PM

Ouch, bad luck.

*Fraoch* · 01-13-2005, 02:53 PM

...maybe NTFS support will be added in a firmware upgrade? Although how would you perform this upgrade...maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

Just an idea.

01-09-2005, 12:57 PM	#1
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	USB Print Server 2+ USB Port? I am going through my home network and cleaning things up... Santa brought a photo printer to add to the laser printers we have and I'm looking for a USB Print Server to run printers from the network rather than sharing and having puters running to do it. I need a minimum of two USB ports (two USB printers) - routers and switches are already in place. The only unit I've found so far is this one... ...reviews look pretty lackluster, but I'm having trouble finding what I need. Any suggestions? __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-09-2005, 01:26 PM	#2
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,607	I found one by D-Link that has two HiSpeed USB ports and one parallel port as well. It's even wireless (802-11g) but has a wired LAN port as well. http://www.d-link.com/products/?sec=0&pid=336 Belkin has a WiFi-enabled one as well. http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=165825 Another odd-branded one here. http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cabl...atid=661%2C101 Trendware, another brand I've never heard of until my current Google adventure... http://www.trendnet.com/products/TE100-P2U1P.htm A 4-port USB one from Keyspan, another previously unknown company for me. Sounds like it should provide printer sharing, but it's not sold as a print server explicitly, so you might want to check it out more thoroughly... http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/server/ Otherwise I can't find much. There doesn't seem to be products advertised as print servers with more than 2 USB ports. In the worst case, there ought to be USB->Parallel port converters for the print servers that have parallel connections as well. Just an idea I had. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

01-09-2005, 02:12 PM	#3
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	Very helpfull kONGO... You definitely got better results than I have so far... That Keyspan unit also supports multi function devices...something I haven't found yet. Very interesting... This is for a home office that is constantly changing, so I would like to be able to run whatever equipment changes I make. __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-09-2005, 02:44 PM	#4
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	I found a couple user reviews of that Keyspan unit... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cus...54827-1068065? [snip] I opened the packing box 10 MINUTES AGO, and both of my printers are up and running on every PC. I was a little worried when I saw the 'documentation' was smaller than a CD, but everything went off without a hitch: Step 1: Power up the USB server with no USB device hooked up to it, and connect it to the network via RJ45. Step 2: Install the software (if WinXP, use the unsigned drivers). Your OS searches the network at this time and finds the USB Server. Step 3: Hook up your USB devices. THAT'S IT!!! If you have a Multi-Function printer, you NEED this device, because even if you find a compatible print server, it will only let you use the print function. A Printer Server turns your Multi-Function printer into a Uni-Function Printer. With this device, it will be just as if the printer were directly connected to your PC. In fact, you are not limited to PCs; you can connect ANY USB device to it (camcorder, scanner, webcam, even a mouse or keyboard). [/snip] Gotta love it... The downside is it's only USB1 for the time being...but it isn't like I print constantly. __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-09-2005, 02:53 PM	#5
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,607	Sounds good. Glad I could help. That it supports multi-function printers is a nice feature. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

01-09-2005, 10:04 PM	#6
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	After looking things over a bit today I may be changing my mind. Nearly all the units I have seen are USB1 and not USB2. Something tells me I won't be happy without USB2 as one of these printers is for photos. I did find only one two USB2 port print server (say that fast a few times) - http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...10387994&loc=0 Two USB2 ports is as many as I've found - and since it's a USB print server and not a USB server you can't use multifunction units or other USB devices. I do like the idea of a USB server though - if it was USB2 it would already have been ordered. Why is it what I want isn't available yet...there seems to be a trend here... I suppose I could always hook up the photo printer on USB1 and see how bad it is. __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-10-2005, 02:24 AM	#7
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,607	The D-Link is HiSpeed USB as well, but it's wireless also, which adds to the price I suppose. My parents bought a Canon Pixma iP4000 right after Xmas, and it's now hooked up to the parallel port of their 700MHz PIII and printing a photo on an A4 sheet of paper doesn't seem limited by the parallel port but by the printing speed. (But then again, if I hooked it up with the USB connection it might go much faster... ) __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

01-12-2005, 01:23 PM	#8
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	I see something now that is bugging me...for now I have the USB printer plugged into a hub and kvm...everytime I change machines it gives me the disconnect usb warning and resets the connection. I guess I really need that USB server... I wonder if I could put external drives on that puppy...just imagine doing a daisy chain on one port... __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-13-2005, 12:52 PM	#9
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	...a little more money, but this one has USB2 and supports multi function devices as well as USB storage devices. Up to NINE total shared devices... http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.co...le.php/3392931 __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-13-2005, 12:55 PM	#10
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,607	Sounds like you've found a winner there. It even supports IPv6! This thread's a keeper in any case. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

01-13-2005, 01:04 PM	#11
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	It looks like nobody has one yet - they are taking preorders... I signed up for notification. I think this is the one to have - it supports what I want plus I can run a hub for external drives too. This will rock! A lot of the time I use posting these links as a method for referencing my research... Thanks for your help kONGO...our research will benefit others... __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-13-2005, 02:24 PM	#12
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,607	Anytime, bud. With this setup you could quite easily create a reasonably cheap NAS setup. A bunch of HiSpeed USB HDDs and this gizmo, and there you go. With 8 devices and LaCie's 1TB USB HDD you could really go nuts... __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

01-13-2005, 02:36 PM	#13
*Ozzie* missin' TQ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 10,206	I've been calling and reading up...they might be having supply issues as some have been on order for quite a while. A couple of noteable points... - The SX-5000U2 supports FAT12/16/32 formatted storage device only. NTFS format is not supported. - With a USB hub connected, the SX-5000U2 can network up to 9 USB devices (max. 4 USB printers, 1 USB scanner, 4 USB storage devices) Damn...I just put together 4 USB drives...and I used NTFS... __________________ Have you supported your forum today? Change is the only constant in life
(Online)

01-13-2005, 02:43 PM	#14
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,607	Ouch, bad luck. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

01-13-2005, 02:53 PM	#15
Fraoch Resident ABX Wizard Join Date: May 2003 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 8,814	...maybe NTFS support will be added in a firmware upgrade? Although how would you perform this upgrade...maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. Just an idea.
(Offline)

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