With home networks becoming the norm in most households, linking devices such as printers and storage devices to a network would seem to be a popular thing as well.Geeks.com, popular online retailer of various computer parts, is fully aware of the trend and offers a wide range of networking devices.Today we�ll look at one of their offerings, the Linksys USB Wireless-Ready Print Server.Will this device turn out to be easy to setup and as functional as it sounds?Let�s find out.
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Link to product page
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Features/Specifications:
Linksys PPS1UW Etherfast Wireless-Ready USB Print Server
General Features:
Configurable through USB Networked PC's Web browser
Runs with virtually all USB-ready Laser, Ink Jet, Bubble Jet and Color printers
Integrates through both Ethernet and Wireless connections (w/ Instant Wireless Network PC Card)
Stand-alone unit - no dedicated Print Server PC needed
Easy-to-use built-in remote management utility
Interoperable with IEEE 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4GHz-compliant equipment (w/ Instant Wireless Network PC Card)
Ports/Buttons:
One (1) 10/100 RJ-45 Port
One (1) USB Type B Port
One (1) Power Port
One (1) PCMCIA Type II slot
One (1) Reset Button
Standards:
10BaseT/100BaseTX
USB Specification 1.1
PCMCIA Type II
LAN Speed:
Half Duplex: 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps
Full Duplex: 20 Mbps or 200 Mbps
LEDs:
LAN
WLAN
Activity
Error
Dimensions:
3.75" x 4.75" x 1" (L x W x D approximate)
Package Includes:
Linksys PPS1UW Wireless-Ready USB Print Server
Power adapter (120VAC, 60Hz)
Quick Installation guide
User's guide
Setup CD
The product:
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
As with all the products I�ve received from Geeks.com, the Linksys USB Wireless-Ready Print server arrived well-packaged in a large cardboard box.The outside of the package has a picture of the server and a happy user, while the back has a picture of how the device fits into a typical home network, along with a list of specifications.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
Opening the package, we find the print server snuggly secured a custom cardboard container.Along with the server itself, the package contains a power adapter, CD, and instruction and quick-guide manuals.One notable missing item is a Cat-5 ethernet cable.As the name suggest, this particular model of print server is �wireless-ready�, which means that you need to add a wireless PCMCIA card in order to enable wireless printing.In fact, you need a specific Linksys wireless card with a specific revision number, which might be hard to find now since Linksys sometimes upgrades the revisions.Obviously, if you don�t mind the printer hard-wired to the router, then this won�t be an issue.But if you want to enable the wireless capability, you�ll want to make sure you can find this particular card also.I was lucky enough to have that particular make/model of the card, so I could test out the wireless capabilities for this review.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
Taking a closer look at the unit, we see a rather small device slightly larger than a deck of cards.The server has 4 LEDs that indicate status of the device.The rear of the unit has the power, USB, and Ethernet ports, and the side of the unit is where the wireless card is inserted.
