Customer Reviews

SILEX TECHNOLOGY USB Device Server / Print Server SX1000U

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I was using a Keyspan brand print server and upgraded to a 64-bit version of Windows. Sadly everything worked but the Keyspan server. After contacting them they told me that they would update their drivers "at some point" but were not clear when that would be.

I then searched for something else that would fit my needs. This print server did the trick. It is small, the software works great, and it doesn't get hot like the old print server would. It supports Windows and Mac OS's, and even though there is only 1 USB port, you can add a hub and connect many more devices. It also shows the ink levels on my Canon printer.

I did have a problem with the setup, but after calling their tech support (which was very friendly and helpful) the issue was resolved. Just to be helpful to others, please make sure to install the latest drivers from their website. The ones on the disk were older and that is what led to my installation problem.

Overall, this is a great product and I highly recommend it.

I bought this to share my Canon MP530 multifunction printer on my network. I have several computers connecting to it both wired and wirelessly. I love this thing. It works perfectly in most every situation. Installing the software was easy and the newest version of the software works even better.

Only problem I have is that if I'm scanning a document I cannot use the auto-connect feature because it will automatically disconnect in the middle of a scan (2 pages or more). no big deal, i just connect manually and disconnect when I'm done.

Highly recommend.

The device works, sort of. It loses the correct IP address if you place it as a favorite so you have to manually connect and disconnect a computer to the printer. Not seemless, or transparent. Also, it won't work with Windows 98. At least you can generate a spool directory to hold your printouts until you can get connected. It's tolerable for a home network, but I wouldn't put up with it in a business environment.

Personally, I don't find it that much of an improvement over hanging the printer off of a computer on our local network except that we have the spool directory.