SILEX TECHNOLOGY USB Device Server / Print Server SX1000U

by Silex Technology

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 2 inches ; 3.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00083CZGQ
• Item model number: SX1000U
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #35 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Networking Products > Device Servers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 20, 2005

Product Description

The USB device server connects your Multi-Function or All-In-One printer to your network. It instantly allows your family members or co-workers to print scan fax and store from anywhere across a LAN taking full advantage of its capabilities including the printer's status monitoring function.The USB device server is also ideal to network various USB devices creating a virtual link for anyone to access the devices from anywhere on the network. It enhances productivity and protects the investment for your USB products.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars very limited supported devices, October 2, 2005

By 

hrbud - See all my reviews

This review is from: SILEX TECHNOLOGY USB Device Server / Print Server SX1000U (Personal Computers)

This gadget is supposed to act as a USB device server, meaning you're supposed to be able to access ANY USB device connected to it, over the network from any networked PC (on the same subnet). Neat.

The hardware itself and software is very good-- very stable. Connected to a LAN, you can set the IP address manually or via DHCP. There's a client software that you install on your pc, which then connects to the usb server and lists all usb devices connected to it. You can either connect or disconnect the device virtually to your pc.

This all sounds great, but it doesn't work with ALL USB devices. You need to check Silex's compatibility list and see if your device is in it. This list is very short -- too short for me to get any usefulness out of it.

Everything else-- ease of use, software, installation, etc-- gets a 5 star.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great for Canon multi-function units and Vista, November 20, 2007

By 

Edison "hightech lover" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SILEX TECHNOLOGY USB Device Server / Print Server SX1000U (Personal Computers)

Updated May 19, 2008
The device was repaired and Silex also loaded the latest firmware on it. With the new firmware, it can now auto connect and disconnect the Canon 530 Multifunction unit, so that anyone over the network can fax or print from it. I was told the problem was the faulty power supply, not really the unit itself.

The key to setup this working properly is once add the printer to the favorite list, then go to option tab, make sure nothing selected on the "option setting", make sure startup "do not autoconnect" and connection lost, "do not reconnect"; In the "printer option" tab, check enable "auto connection" then select the correct printer, set the printer disconnect after 10 seconds sending job to printer.

Updated May 15, 2008
Since I last updated the review about this product, one of the Silex device failed. I sent email asked for the RMA, but it did not get responded immediately. I called and talked to someone who told me he would email me the documents about RMA, I waited almost a week and heard nothing, during which I had been sending two emails to their support email address and no reply. I then emailed their Japan office. Then I got an very unhappy person called me back from Silex USA and told me that I was too demanding.

I sent the faulty unit back for more than 10 days now. I got no email acknoledge the receiving of the broken one, no phone call from them, and no repaired unit, either. It supposdly has two years warranty. But if they don't fail sorry for their failed unit and gave this harsh treatment for the customers experienced their failure, it may not worth it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Update April 29, 2008
I was able to have more than one printers connect to a USB hub all working on the office network. For single purpose printer, you can
add it to the favorite, then in the printer option to set "Enable printer auto-connect". Do NOT enable the settings in "Option settings". Then each time when you print, you will auto connected to the printer, after set expire time, it will auto disconnect.

However, for MP printer, I still have to manually connect.

This device will allow you to actually see the printer ink level, or reset the cartrige if you use refilled ink. Other network printer servers can not do that. Amazon has the best prince.

++++++Original posting below++++++++++++++++
I purchased this for Canon MP530 and it worked flawlessly. I was able to scan over the network, as well as fax and print.

The CD comes with it does not have the latest software. I was using that to configure the Silex 1000U to a static IP address on our network. Then I went to Silex web site downloaded the Vista driver software.

The documentation is not detailed enough for how to get multi-function units working. Before install this, you will need to take the multi-funciton unit to every computers, installed as USB device with the printer/scanner/fax drivers and tested working. Then remove the printer from computer and plug into the Silex.

Then go to each comptuer installed the Silex controlling software that downloaded from Silex site. After that you can connect to the multi-function unit and enable auto-connection.

The Silex document claims that you can add a USB hub behind the device and add up to 15 devices to one 1000U converter. For the MP530, it considers that being 3 devices.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not compatible with HP LaserJet 3015..., October 20, 2005

By 

R H (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SILEX TECHNOLOGY USB Device Server / Print Server SX1000U (Personal Computers)

I had a similar experience with the reviewer here. It has a much more stable driver than the KeySpan USB (4-A)'s, but it simply is not compatible -- even with a brand like Hewlett Packard! It can sometimes recognizes the printer but can't print, scan, or fax.