Customer Reviews
disaster 
2004-04-17
We use linksys as standard in my company for wireless activities, we found normal to stack a print server from linksys on top of wireless AP.
Out of the fact the techs took one hour to find out how to configure it through fixed IP an installing bi admin a described in other critics, which does not make it user friendly but we can cope with that as IT professional.
However, bi directional is a joke. No printer is recognized and we lost all fax and scanner functions on a Brother MFC, this IS a problem (guess why we bought a Multi Function Center?)
We had to return this material to linksys...
Works with XP but takes some tinkering 
2004-01-08
I read all the reviews so I was expecting some extra work to get this print server working with XP. The trick is using a static IP address, not DHCP. Go ahead and install the "BI Admin" utility because it allows you to configure the print server via a browser page, but use a static IP address. And just enter that same static IP when you configure your printer port (printer properties, add TCP/IP port). Linksys tech support can help - although this is yet another company that has outsourced tech support to the Phillipines and India. That's a big check mark against them in my book.
HP Laserjet1200 and Linksys printserver 2003-10-14
Despite spending hours (days) attempting to configure the printserver, I was unsuccesful. The printserver does not appear to be compatible with the HP laserjet 1200. I wish I had read the reviews prior to purchase. Problem is incompatability with HP drivers. Tried all drivers, tried all settings. Would be interested to hear from the people who apparently got this to work.
Allen 
2003-08-03
I've had this print server for almost 2 years. I have a reasonably-sized home network with other Linksys products that have worked flawlessly. I guess the bottom line comment I would make about this product is that, when it works it is fantastic, but when it doesn't it drives me crazy!
In my case it will work fine for a while, and then require either soft or hard resets (with the button on the back). The DHCP never worked consistently for me. I was advised by Linksys not to use it at all. I have already had to replace my original unit because it failed, and my second unit just went on the fritz as well. I was on the line with Linksys support for an hour and we couldn't get it to work, so they're sending me yet another one. I just replaced my old HP 4ML that was on the server, and decided NOT to rely on the print server anymore - I paid extra for a built-in 10/100 card. However, I still have a Canon inkjet on the print server. I still don't understand in this day why built-in ethernet is so expensive to add to a printer - it should now be standard on all but the lowest price printers IMHO.
I gave this 3 stars, but it's really probably more like 2.5 (only redeemed by the built-in 4 port switch). I agree with another poster who said Linksys needs to update the firmware for this product - it is not up their usual standards.
Allen
Worked for me 2003-07-18
I purchased this so we could print without having to keep the computer next to the printer on all the time. Am using two Epson printers: Epson 1270 and 2200.
Print server installed OK. I was confused by the docs because they seemed to be saying I needed to do something to make it work via DHCP, turns out this is the default behavior. Otherwise I got through the install with only one short call to LinkSys tech support. I got through immediately. Being a software support engineer myself, I would give the engineer a 4 out of ten for customer service skills.
My Epson printers use a 'bidirectional' process to show the levels of ink in the printers. This no longer works, so I guess I'll just need to have some ink replacements ready for when the red light goes on in the printer itself, or ocassionally hook it up to a computer to check the levels. I also had to mess around with the Epson printer driver to turn off it's communication error checking and advanced features. Otherwise it would give me an error message that there was a communication problem.
These were not enough to make me want to send it back as the product makes it very convenient for our network and is relatively easy to deal with as far as networking products go.
I also notice a considerable improvement in the network file transfers using the included 10/100 switch.
As many of the reviewers have said, there are some problems with install etc., but if you can get past this, having a print server can be a great addition to your network. I would also say that at some point users will have to gain some understanding of TCP/IP to get very far with any network project...
Unsupported Product with many problems 
2003-07-14
The Linksys EFSP42 makes upgrading your Small Office or Home Office network easy. Whether you're adding more printers or more PCs, the solution is so simple and affordable it was long overlooked. Amazingly enough, the EFSP42 is the first Print Server to include Ethernet ports--in fact, four full-duplex, 10/100 switched ports. These supplement two DB-25 bi-directional parallel ports, amenable to both 10BaseT and 100BaseT networks 256KB RAM buffer for faster graphics 512KB flash memory for future upgrades Data collision control and polarity correction Protocols - TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBEUI, EtherTalk Free technical support and software upgrades 3 Year Limited Warranty
Print server and PC need configuration 2002-11-23
People cannot blame a Print Server if they cannot configure theire own PC.
Get professional help and do not blame the product. These are not plug and play item. Both Your PC and the print server require configuration.
If your previous Pc was configured as a local printer after attching this Print server you need to set each PC to print to a network printer.
We have used these Servers and no if"
's,and's, or but's, they work.
Imran ...
Print server and PC need configuration 2002-11-23
People cannot blame a Print Server if they cannot configure theire own PC.
Get professional help and do not blame the product. These are not plug and play item. Both Your PC and the print server require configuration.
If your previous Pc was configured as a local printer after attching this Print server you need to set each PC to print to a network printer.
We have used these Servers and no if"
's,and's, or but's, they work.
Imran
Okay with some printers 2002-10-04
I have both an HP 842C deskjet and a HP laserJet 1200
The 842C works great but the HP 1200 Laser will not work. Tech support not that great for a non-working printer.
So now I am stuck with needing a directjet interface for the laser.
Problems overcome, flawed but best option 2002-09-02
I have an HP LaserJet 6P which I share on my home LAN.
I started with the HP JetDirect... had problems with it not always appearing in NetBeui browse.
I dumped that and got Intel PrintStations. Those worked well with Win98 and WinMe, but then showed Netbeui browse problems under WinXP.
So I tried the Linksys Print Server. I will echo many other complaints... it's not up to the quality of other Linksys products. I could not get it to install properly using the Quick Setup instructions (device name would not show up under Browse!).
I read the manual cover to cover, and decided to fix the IP address using the Bi-Admin utility.
STILL had problems getting the print server to show up under their default PrintServer driver.
THEN I uninstalled that driver and tried to do everything using the IPP (Internet Print Protocol) instead.
SUCCESS! I installed the IPP driver on all my client PC's, and it's been working wonderfully since then.
It shouldn't have been this hard to get it working, but it finally solves my problem and works better than the HP and Intel print servers I tried earlier.
