NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server

by Netgear

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.4 x 2.3 x 1 inches ; 2.7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001BXVA4
• Item model number: PS121NA
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #44 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Networking Products > Print Servers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 15, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server offers: An easy way to share a printer with multiple users on a network. A USB interface that is compatible with most USB printers. 10 Mbps Ethernet connection for fast data transfer. A 1-year warranty.

The NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server makes it easy for multiple users on a network to share a printer, letting you place the printer at a convenient spot for the entire office or out of the way altogether.

Multiple users on the network can share one printer with the PS121 Print Server. View larger.

Easy Setup with USB 2.0
The PS121 works with most USB port printers from HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, and others, and it supports all major Windows operating systems.

Simply plug in the PS121 to your printer with the included USB cable on one end and connect it to your network via an Ethernet cord on the other. The print server features a 10 Mbps Ethernet connection for quick data transfer and an easy-to-use web-based management tool.

Save Time, Energy and Money Using the print server eliminates the need to have a dedicated PC always-on acting as a print server, thus conserving energy and saving money. The print server supports simultaneous print jobs and an on-board memory buffer keeps prints coming out quickly.

The NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server is backed by a 1-year warranty.

What's in the Box
PS121 USB Mini Print Server, resource CD, power adapter, 5-foot USB cable, installation guide, and warranty/support information card.

Product Description

As the cost of printers have come down dramatically, many home and SOHO users have sought to add printers to their networks. Also, many of these printers now have a USB interface through which to connect to a network. If a cluster of 3 or more PCs seeks to be attached to a single printer, the NETGEAR PS121 USB Print Server can allow them to access that printer quickly and easily. The PS121 is compatible with wired or wireless routers from any vendor, and can enable a user to have a wired printing network within their broader wireless network. Configuration is simple via the Smart Wizard install assistant, providing a much more seamless user experience than other print servers. Sleek, compact, and easy to use, the PS121 USB Mini Print Server is the perfect solution to add printing to your home or office network.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be Patient!, October 24, 2005

By 

troyronson "troyronson" (Concord, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server (Personal Computers)

The installation is a little challenging. However, after reading the "troubleshooting" section of the little instruction manual, it worked. Not sure about long-term reliability, as the unit seems to get very hot. Size-wise, perfect! No perceptible delay in spooling the printer. It does not make economic sense to buy a wireless print server, if the router and the printer remain stationary. This print server is great for my use, i.e. wireless Internet in one room, with remote printing in another. Will report back if any problems develop. Remember, be patient and keep trying all of the options during the installation.


FOLLOW-UP: Worked fine for two months until my old Canon BJC-2100 printer died (of natural causes that I believe are unrelated to the print server). Upon trying to re-install the print server with a new Canon Pixma IP3000 printer, I once gain ran into installation challenges. This time the print server did not recognize the printer nor the network connection. The written instructions did nothing. However, after visiting Netgear's website, I followed the recommendation to disable my software firewall (PC Cillin 2005 in my case). Low and behold, everything is now working, and I am once again a satisfied Netgear user. Does exactly what it is supposed to do (allow remote prining or printer sharing), with minimal, if any delay in spooling. Bottom line: Good product, lousy instructions!

FURTHER UPDATE (September 15, 2007): Two years after purchase, the original PS121 (which I reviewed) started to act up, i.e. was periodically NOT recognizing my printer. After re-installing from the Netgear disc several times, I got tired and decided to "upgrade" to a PS121 with "version 2" software. Before doing this I had trouble finding another brand that would work. No go on D-Link (not compatible per website) and Air-Link (compatible but did not work for me!) Again, the Netgear install was a bit tricky, foiled initially by "Norton Antibot" program. Be sure to disable any and all antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall programs!!! The newer PS121 version runs a PS121v2 indicator in the system tray, which gives a "positive assurance" that the printer is recognized. The only time I get a red light (not connected) is when the printer is powered off. After two months, everything is working fine. I would still recommend this item, however, make sure you have the Version 2 (v2) model. CAUTION to all: Make sure you visit Netgear's website prior to purchase, to ensure compatibility with your operating system and specific printer. I can't understand why the printer manufacturers can't market their own print servers. This would certainly help with the "compatibility" issue. I don't think this works with VISTA OS. Another reviewer mentioned downloading drivers from Netgear's website. I have XP, so no issue here. If problems do develop, I will report back.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Check out the compatible printer list before you buy!!!!, December 18, 2004

By 

Darrell J. Riffe "DJR" (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server (Personal Computers)

First off, let me say that I am a Netgear fan. I've been using their products for years, and I've always had good things to say about them. However, the PS121 has been a disappointment. When I bought the item, I was under the impression that it worked with most, if not all USB printers. My mistake!!! Be sure to check out the compatible printers list on Netgear's website for the PS121. You'll find that suprisingly few USB printers actually work with this unit. Recommendation: If you have an HP printer that you want to network -- Get an HP JetDirect server -- I've gone with the 175X. Even then, you won't get everything that you want on a multifunction unit such as the OfficeJet G85 (i.e., print, scan, copy, fax) from a network. But, at least the thing will actually function with the print command. Otherwise, unless you have a printer on Netgear's verified compatibility list, pass this one by -- NOTE: I cannot verify that those printers on Netgear's compatibility list will do everything that the printer is capapble of doing while on a network. If I knew of such a device that would network all of these functions, I would recommend it. In most cases, don't expect more than simple printer communication -- forget the scan and fax functions. For me, however, the PS-121 is nothing more than a paperweight. The HP JetDirect 175X, as did my JetDirect 170 for print functions, works fine.

DJR

39 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect solution to network your USB printer!, April 16, 2004

By 

Mike Lawrence (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server (Personal Computers)

Works great right out of the box. It can be set up in minutes by following the simple instructions. I wanted to get my HP PSC 2200 printer on my wireless network using Netgear's WGR614 router. The printer's USB cable goes in one end of the Netgear PS121 print server, Ethernet cable comes out the other end and into the router. Now I can print wirelessly using my IBM laptop and Netgear's WG511 wireless card. A fraction of the cost of wireless print servers. If you want to network your USB printer, this product's for you!