Customer Reviews

D-Link DP-301U 10/100TX 1-USB Port Print Server

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Check this site to see if it is compatible:

http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1263&question=DP-300U%20/%20DP-311U%20/%20DP-301U%20/%20DI-704UP%20/%20DI-824VUP%20/%20DP-311U_revB

Reviews are very different on this item. It is because there are two very different models of it. The old one, in the bottom marked "HW Ver: Ax" is the old really bad thing. It came with firmware up to 1.1, and can not be upgraded to version 2 or 2.1. This is becaused the firmware 2 and 2.1 is for "HW Ver: Bx" and is about 4 times as big as the firmware for the older model. The model "B" contains all the menues that was removed from the web interface of the old model, and works a lot better (still having some problems, but not close to the problems of the old model). The old model is more or less worthless. It is strange the difference in models is never pointed out when having contact with D-link.

--- Mats ---

FIRST, PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE FROM COMPUSA***

before seriously considering this print server (or any, for that matter), do some research online to find out if anyone has had success with your particular configuration. until i bought this, i had no idea it would even be an issue. and CompUSA will refuse to take it back if it's been 3 weeks--and trust me, you'll spend 3 weeks trying to get it to work.

once purchased, good luck trying to get someone from CompUSA on the phone. Amazon has been fantastic, and is in the process of helping me file a claim against CompUSA--i spoke to someone from Amazon immediately, and have been trying for weeks to get someone from CompUSA on the phone. while Amazon has been helpful & responsive, CompUSA won't even answer the phone, and will send automated refusal responses to any emails you send them.

so the lesson is this: find out if your printer and OS have had success with the print server first--and very, very few of the companies who make the print servers will tell you up front if they are indeed compatible. so they want you to buy it and try it blindly--but your chances of returning it (at least to CompUSA), once you find out it won't work with your setup, are slim.

(FYI, i tried the Linksys PSUS4 and it worked. but that's no indication of what will work for your setup.)

I purchased the DP-301U to share a HP Deskjet between 5 computers connected to a Linksys Wireless router. Setup was simple, just follow the instuction guide provided for Windows 2000 or XP. Windows 98 instructions are available on the D-link website. The computers I connected are Windows 2000 (Pro and Server), Windows 98, and Linux (Redhat Enterprise WS). I gave this 5 stars due to an easy setup and install, plus, it just plain works! What more could you ask for?

Cursory tests seem to work -- you'll be able to log in to the print server's web page (slow, but it eventually loads), pings work, small 1-page test documents work... everything's working, right?

Think again.

The networking on this product is extremely flaky. Don't bother using the DHCP option -- it will forget to renew its address after it expires. Fixed address is the only way to go. Even then, large documents and continuous streams of traffic cause it to hang, eventually causing your print job to abort after 20 or so pages.

DLink's QA really dropped the ball on this one. Try your luck with a different brand.

I purchased this to install in a coworkers home and was not at all looking forward to setting it up. I've set up a couple netgear print servers and a iogear print server and really didn't enjoy having to install new software in order to get every computer to use the new printer. I was VERY surprised at the ease of use with this print server. I forgot to check the compatibility link in the other review but I still did hot have any problems even thought the printer I connected was not listed. In addition to that D-Link does not require ANY additional software to be installed in order to connect this printer (using Windows XP - I'm not sure about any other operating system). All you need to do is configure a standard TCP port and you are good to go. The only reason that I did not give the DP-301U 5 stars is because it did not come with either a network cable, nor did it come with a USB cable. That would have been a very nice addition to the package. Great job D-Link, just don't be so cheap next time.

The print server was great while it worked. I have had problems in the past, requiring resetting the server and the printer, but was able to get it to work after some work. This time, the server suddenly stopped working. The PS admin program could not detect any printer server, resetting and turning off the server, printer, reboot computer, reset the router and cable modem, all failed to fix the problem. The USB port, IP address, QUEUE names are all confirmed. Call the 24hrs tech support, with very poor connection, and the person on the other side has a moderately strong ?Indian accent, difficult to understand, and the phone gets suddenly disconnected after just about 1-2 minutes talking with the the technician. Quite frustrating, and it almost seem easier to get a printer for each computer. I don't plan to buy another one for replacement.

I got it to work with XP and Windows 7. There are no instructions for Windows 7. However, here's how I got it to work with Windows 7, 64 bit with a Canon MP830 AIO All In One printer.....

In the Windows 7 machine go to....

1. Start.

2. Devices and Printers

3. Add a Printer

4. Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer

5. Pick... 'The printer that I want isn't listed'

6. Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname

7. On line that says 'Hostname or IP address' enter your IP address of D-Link print server. The D-Link is preset at 192.168.0.10. However, it needs to match the IP address on your router. So you need to either change the one on your Print Server or the Router. In your router look next to PS-D1BD95. Don't change "Device Type" on on this screen. When done, click 'Next' and you will have to wait 2 minutes for the next screen.

8. Pick 'Custom'

9. Settings

10. Change Protocal to LPR

11. Check off 'LPR Byte Counting Enabled'

12. Enter a Queue Name. (Mine is PS-D1BD95 which I got from the router.)

13. On the next screen you have to pick your printer. This is assuming your printer driver is already in your computer. I initially installed my printer through a USB cable first. Then I added the wireless through the Dlink Print Server.

For XP the instructions are...

1. add printer

2. next

3. pick 'Local Printer attached to to this computer and deselect "Automatically detect and install my plug and play printer."

4. Select "Create a new port." At the pull-down menu, highlight "Standard TCP/IP Port."

5. Next

6. Next

7. Type in the IP address of the print server. The D-Link is preset at 192.168.0.10. However, it needs to match the IP address on your router. So you need to either change the one on your Print Server or the Router. In your router look next to PS-D1BD95. The port name will automatically be filled in.

8. Next

9. Select "Custom" Then click on Settings.

10. Select "LPR"

11. Under Queue Name, input PS-D1BD95

12. Make sure 'LPR Byte Counting Enabled' is deselected

13. Click okay

14. Click Custom

15. Next

16. click Finish

17. Find your printer and click next

18 The rest should be easy.

Your Done!!!!

Purchased this from a local retailer for $20 plus tax - a really good deal. Connected to an H-P LJ-1012 which is a basic laser printer model from about 4 years ago.

I'm a mid-level PC user, understand the lexicon but don't know the technical standards. Basically, this device is hit or miss with your setup, and you won't get any help from D-Link, not by e-mail and the FAQ really sucks.

Here's my experience.

NOTE: WINDOWS XP (SP2)

Following the quick setup instructions, the 301U server found my H-P LJ 1012 printer, but my DSL internet connection was disabled, so I had to disconnect the Print Server to get back my DSL. As mentioned, D-Link doesn't do tech support; absolutely nothing helpful in its web database and radio silence via e-mail.

One day with some idle time, I decided to try again and got it to work on my network. I ignored the quick setup directions; basically, ignored directions on changing my Windows XP network connection settings (as the setup settings would disable my DSL connection).

I followed the directions to electrically connect the Print Server to the network, then used the D-link PS Admin software to do a test page, which printed the IP address. My DSL connection remained active and the test page indicated that the Print Server had an assigned IP address in the network. I then installed the H-P Printer by following the directions using the IP address (and creating an associated printer port) shown on the test page. This worked on all 3 of my PC's and the DSL connection remained enabled. Later on, I learned that the Printer Server IP address would change (don't know why except to guess that IP addresses can be dynamic) which would disable the related printer port. However, again, by using the PS Admin software, I was able to set the Print Server to hold the IP address by clicking the "manual" box. For the past 2 months, the settings held and my DSL connection remain enabled.

I was lucky to stumble upon this method of installation, but D-link was absolutely useless in getting it to work for me.

I got the D-Link DP-301U Ethernet Print Server from Fry's about a month ago and was not able to get the supplied CD software to install. I was trying to use the software on a Lenovo X301 Laptop with Windows Vista Business 64 bit. As a result, I returned the item.

The product packaging has written on the outside of the box "compatible with Vista", but does not specify which version of Vista. Using such imprecise verbiage, in the broader sense, suggest compatibility with the both the 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista as appose to one or the other. At the very least, it leaves open ambiguities.

This sort of loosely worded product claim and packaging is either sloppy and or unscrupulous marketing.

Minus 1.5 for Ambiguous Product Claim and Marketing

Minus 1.5 for Not Compatible with Vista 64