Imo Linksys WPS54G Refurb Wireless g Print Server No Rtns
Normal Price:$51.99
Our Price:$40.69
Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Manufacturer: Linksys
Model: WPS54G-RM
Binding: Electronics
Publisher: Linksys
Label: Linksys
Features for Imo Linksys WPS54G Refurb Wireless g Print Server No Rtns:
- Linksys WPS54G-RM 802.11g Wireless Print Server General Features:
- Complies with IEEE 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.3 standards
- USB 2.0 port (backward compatible with USB 1.1)
- Supports TCP/IP, SMB (Service Message Block), AppleTalk (EtherTalk), and NetBEUI SNMP management
- Built-in IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) Server and Windows IPP client
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Customer Reviews
A bit of a hassle but worth it 
2008-10-11
When I upgraded my wireless security to WPA I needed to upgrade my old D-Link wireless printserver (802.11b) to something that had WPA compatibility. I shopped around a lot for this and ended up going with the refurbished model because of the large price difference.
Over all I am very happy with this unit however I ran into a few set up problems which may be a real pain for the average user.
Like all Linksys wireless products (or all that I have had experience with) the package came with a driver/set up CD that says "run me first". The CD guides you through the set up process - telling you which cables to plug in first. To configure the printserver it needs to be plugged into the printer as well as the wireless router. The problem? Well, if my printer was near the router I wouldn't need a wireless printserver. So if you don't have a long ethernet cable (luckily I did) then you might have to move your printer temporarily - not a big deal but annoying.
Once the printserver was plugged in correctly the setup program "searches" for the printserver. This is where I had my first big problem. Although it was plugged in correctly, the computer couldn't find the printserver. I verified all the cables were correct and tried about 100 more times. Nothing. Eventually enraged, I called linksys tech support. The woman I spoke with was pleasant, though she didn't speak the best English. As I was talking to her I unplugged the printserver's ethernet cable from the router (so I could read the serial number of the router) then plugged it back in (I don't know if it was the same port or not) and when I went back to my computer it had found the printserver. I really don't think I there was anything wrong with the plug the first time, and I probably should give linksys the benefit of the doubt, but according to my search on the internet this is not an uncommon problem.
With that problem resolved I got off the phone with linksys and continued with the set up. I set up a network name for the printserver, a password, etc. Then I got to a page for security settings. Here was the biggest problem - the only choices were WEP 64 and WEP 128 - there was no WPA option!!! I was incensed because this was the main reason I bought this. I did some googling and verified that it was WPA compatible and then found that a firmware upgrade was needed to enable it.
I went to the linksys website found the latest firmware and downloaded it to my computer, however I had no way to flash it to the printserver (the download doesn't unzip with an executable file, nor does the printserver set up program have an option). So now I had to search for that - after more googling, I found that I needed to do it through the web based interface on the printserver. So I needed to plug the printserver into the router again (or I probably could have turned off the wireless security on the router). I then needed to go into the router's web interface (the old 192.168.1.1 thing). I then eventually found the DHCP client list and found the IP address for the printserver. I typed that into my browser (remember the password you set up for the prinserver. I believe the default is "admin") and I was in. Once I was on the printserver's interface I looked for a way to update the firmware only to find that it already had the latest version (probably an advantage of buying the refurbished model). I was confused and pissed. I was just about to give up, but I decided to navigate to the "wireless" tab where I found a security setting that...wait on it: allowed me to choose WPA! The printserver allowed WPA but the setup program just didn't give the option! I quickly enabled it and logged out. I then ran the set up disk on all my computers and I was done (do yourself a favor and install the printer drivers on each computer before you set it up for wireless).
Now that its set up I'm pleased to report its working great. If you are looking for a 802.11g/WPA wireless printserver and have some time and a moderate threshold for frustration this really is a great buy.
A little tricky, but it works 2008-10-05
I had a little trouble setting this unit up. At first the network did not recognize the print server. After unplugging and plugging it back in it finally found it. I created my printer profile, but the unit kept dropping from the network. I manually configured the IP address and that seemed to fix that problem. So if you're not tech savvy, this may not be the purchase for you. But if you enjoy tinkering with project, this is a cheap alternative for wireless printer sharing.
Good print server, difficult installation 2008-10-04
Overall, I am happy with this device based upon the low price, but the Linksys Setup program failed and I had to spend a considerable amount of time troubleshooting. Here are the problems I encountered:
1) Halfway through the setup, the print server asked for a password. ??? I had to search the internet to figure out the default password was "admin".
2) When I got to the part of the installation where you disconnect the ethernet cable to test the wireless operation, the print server failed to communicate wirelessly. I pulled my hair out trying to solve the problem and nothing seemed to work. I finally found some internet blogs that discussed possible solutions. This is what worked for me:
a) Cancel the Linksys setup program.
b) Plug the ethernet cable back into the print server.
c) Open a browser window and enter the TCP/IP address of the print server that was assigned early in the setup program (example: http://192.168.0.2)
d) After checking the security settings, I found that the WEP encryption key for my DSL modem that I entered into the Linksys setup program was different from what appeared on the device! (Apparently, something in the setup program didn't actually copy the WEP Key that I had entered). After updateding the key in the browser window, I clicked OK to save the new setting and closed the Browser window.
e) I Re-ran the setup program, and now the wireless print server works!
