Linksys WPS54G Print Server

Linksys 802.11G PRINT SERVER USB 2.0

Strengths: Good product does what it says on the box

Weakness: Gets hot and you need a little more knowledge with Networking

This is a great product if you know how to configure your network correctly. It works well with my HP wide format printer. It does also work with my HP All-In-One but with the scanning option disable. It still works with the memory card readers. If you are sending large files make sure you have a good wireless signal strength and your printer has sufficient installed ram otherwise your print...
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This is a great product if you know how to configure your network correctly. It works well with my HP wide format printer. It does also work with my HP All-In-One but with the scanning option disable. It still works with the memory card readers. If you are sending large files make sure you have a good wireless signal strength and your printer has sufficient installed ram otherwise your print spooler will be locked and the only you can clear it is with a reboot.

By dhishi - Mar 15, 2006

Works as advertised (almost)

Strengths: It does what it is intended to do, make any USB printer into a wirelessly-networked printer.

Weakness: Setup wizard is terrible if you need WEP, does not actually use G-band (it uses B).

After some initial hassles with the "setup wizard" I was happy with this purchase. However I discovered 2 things that were problematic during the initial setup: 1. If your home wireless network uses WEP, you need to ignore that step in the setup wizard, and configure WEP manually using the web-based interface before you disconnect the ethernet cable. 2. If you have a B/G access point, you have to...
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After some initial hassles with the "setup wizard" I was happy with this purchase. However I discovered 2 things that were problematic during the initial setup:
1. If your home wireless network uses WEP, you need to ignore that step in the setup wizard, and configure WEP manually using the web-based interface before you disconnect the ethernet cable.
2. If you have a B/G access point, you have to set it up to talk in both B and G. I had set my Linksys access point to "G only" and the print server would not connect to it, even though it's supposed to be a "G" print server.

By cdr999 - Mar 13, 2006

Wireless fails using WPA security

Strengths: small, light, cute!

Weakness: Bad software, protection

DO NOT buy this unit if you plan on using WPA encryption. Other web complaints have said WPA fails with the latest firmware loads and they are correct. Set it up for WPA and your wireless connection disappears. Otherwise, it works great over ethernet. It's not hard to set up if you follow the instructions exactly. I wouldn't buy it and wait for a fix - not worth it.

By donubtaken - Feb 18, 2006

They don't tell you it's no good for multifuntions until you see the box

Strengths: Good reception, compact

Weakness: Doesn't work for multifunctions due to 1-way communications (I assume).

I purchased this rather expensive device in the hopes that it was going to help me with the wireless set-up difficulties I was having with my multifunction. After lots of time on hold and calling manufacturers of my MFC and Linksys, I finally found out that this doesn't work if you want to scan back to the PC from a MFC. Otherwise, it worked for just printing.

By movinmikec_1106424238 - Feb 17, 2006

Works with my MFC

Strengths: Easy set up, small package

Weakness: Seems a bit warm, unclear instructions, doesn't support non-printing fuctionality

I was a little nervous purchasing this to use in conjunction with my Brother MFC-7420 (which is a laser printer/scanner/fax/copier). I decided to take a plunge and take it back if it didn't work out. I expected it to be much more difficult to set up, but I basically followed the instructions and it worked like a charm. Now, I am a IT support technician, so your mileage may very, but I found it...
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I was a little nervous purchasing this to use in conjunction with my Brother MFC-7420 (which is a laser printer/scanner/fax/copier). I decided to take a plunge and take it back if it didn't work out. I expected it to be much more difficult to set up, but I basically followed the instructions and it worked like a charm. Now, I am a IT support technician, so your mileage may very, but I found it pretty easy to set up the wireless encryption and SSID, although you must unplug and re-plug the device after enabling Wireless (you have to set it up plugged in to the router). So far so good, although it would be nice to have an option to keep a secondary printer driver to operate when you have the printer plugged directly into your PC (for scanning purposes). As it is, it sees that you already have the driver installed and just changes the port setting on the printer object. No big deal, but you have to manually set up a second driver install yourself.

By abroadaw - Jan 9, 2006