IOGEAR 1-Port USB 2.0 Print Server, GPSU21

I read others say it's tricky to install but the instructions are straightforward and easy. I used this method for both a Vista and Windows 7 64 bit machine:1) Make sure your printer is compatible. See www.iogear(dot)com/files/pdf/GPSU21_PrinterCompatibilityList.pdf2) Make sure you have installed the printer drivers on your computer. This is only a server, you must still have the drivers installed.3) Insert the CD and run the Wizard. If prompted by Windows, grant permissions and Unblock firewall.4) If you need to configure a static IP you can, otherwise just click through the steps.5) When you get to where you select a printer, if the printer you want is not on the list (mine wasn't) then click Add New Printer and (as the instructions say, but this is important to not miss)"If asked which port to use, choose LPT1 but DO NOT print a test page yet."6) Just click through to Finish.You can now go to Control Panel and print a test page if you want.Works fine. I have two notebooks that both now have access to the printer without difficulty.UPDATE 7/16/13:Some folks had mentioned the print server stopped working. I had that too and here's what the problem was - I had reset my wifi router. So the IP my computers had for the print server port(which is set during the print server CD setup) no longer matched the new IP the router assigned. This can easily be remedied by setting up the print server with a static IP during the wizard install. Just follow the instructions in the manual. Then I went to my wifi router admin page and set aside that IP for the print server. The process to do this varies per router, but you should be able to find it without too much trouble. On my Linksys E2000 this is done on the Admin's Setup page, under DHCP Server Settings and selecting DHCP Reservation. Afterwards the IP address port assigned to the print server on your computer will always match the one assigned by your router even if you have a power outage or need to reset your router. This whole process literally takes a minute or two.The print server still works great!

The print server I had for over 20 years just stopped working. I bought this one and the setup was simple. Works great.

I have an XP desktop connected to an HP OfficeJet 6310 (a non-wireless printer). I then got a Windows 7 laptop and needed a way to print from the laptop without buying a new wireless printer. A friend in I.T. suggested this IOGear print server. Installation was *mostly* straight-forward -- there were a few things I had to guess at. Physical hookup is easy with the proper USB cable (which is NOT included in the package) and the supplied CAT5 cable, and of course the power hookup for the unit. You then use the supplied CD to install the software. The software install is very easy as a Wizard runs you through it. You'll have to do the CD install on all computers you'll be printing from. I had a few weird issues in my setup, and I can't blame that IOGear. For example, when installing on the XP desktop the Wizard asked me to select my printer, but there were 4 or 5 "printer names" associated with my HP OfficeJet, and I don't know how/why that happened. At first I guessed the wrong name, and the printer tests didn't work. So I ran the Wizard again and ended up selecting the correct name. This XP desktop computer has a login for myself and for my wife. It occurred to me I better see if the print server works on her side as well, and good thing I did because it didn't work on her side until I ran the install Wizard again. Once I got it working on the XP desktop, I ran the CD install Wizard on the laptop. The printer name the laptop detects as my HP is not the same name as what the XP desktop sees, so be aware of that. I think the print server came up with a name, but that's fine. I just use that name as the default printer on the laptop and the print server works great. So overall, I'll give it 4 stars for working well, but I think they could do a better job in the printed user guide of anticipating more user setup scenarios and offering installation guidance.

I ordered this product in the hopes that it would end the constant harassment from the Mrs about having my PC turned off when she wanted to print. The product looked pretty good and seemed like a perfect solution. To my dismay, reality was much more painful. We have 2 PCs, one laptop and an iMac on our network and when I opened the directions to "Istall on a Mac" I found the following listed as a first step. (After physically plugging the print server into the printer and hub. Open your printer dialong and input the IP address of the print server.....well, just what IS the IP address this thing sets up for it self?Good thing I had a windows PC that could take their installation CD. I figured I would install on the Windows PC first and then move back to the Mac. All was going well with the install until I selected which printer was going to be used on the server. After selecting the printer I was treated to another extremely helpful message...and this is actually how it was written. "The printer segent that was you selected is not the same as the print server". Nice error message, got it on the other two windows machines as well. Went the the manufacturer's web site and decided to check out the support/faq for this device. Guess what? There were zero articles about this device. None! I quick search of the web netted me the cause of this error. The printer I have (an HP Photosmart 8250) is not supported by this product. Would have been nice to find that out before I ordered.Amazon's return was as easy as ever, so I can't fault Amazon in any way. If you own any newer printer, aviod this thing at all costs. Firmware is dated in Feb 2006 and there are no updates for it at this time.