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D-Link DP-311U Wireless 802.11b USB Print Server

D-Link DP-311U Wireless 802.11b USB Print Server

List Price:
Your Price: $98.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good unit IF you can get it working
Review: As others have said, the documentation is wretched. It has very clear screenshots of a Windows XP installation, but as has been noted by other reviewers, much is left out.

I was attempting to get the DP-311U to talk to an Actiontec DSL router supplied to my client by Qwest, but at first I could not even get the computer itself to bring up the management screen for the DP-311U through the Ethernet interface. The LAN link light stayed dark. On impulse, i tried a *crossover cable*, and the LAN light lit up and I was able to launch the management screen in a browser window. The straight-through Ethernet cable supplied by Qwest with the DSL router could not be made to work, even though it worked just fine in configuring the router.

The second wrinkle for me was configuring WEP. The DP-311U supports all the newer security protocols, including 256-bit encryption, but I used 128-bit WEP because I just needed to get this installation working and will fine-tune it later. Different units require the key to be entered differently; some, such as the Actiontec router supplied by Qwest, like dashes between the hex digits (as I recall). The DP-311U, will not accept a dashed key and will not tell you it's rejecting it; the key won't "take" and there is no error message. You only find this out when you start going through your settings one at a time and discover that WEP isn't active. The DP-311U requires that the encryption key be entered with no dashes or spaces. It would have been REAL NICE if either the documentation or the browser interface had given an example.

Other than crappy documentation, it seems to be an OK unit. The power transformer is skinny and probably won't keep you from using another plug right next to it on your power strip. it's light-weight enough that it's easily mounted (they did supply screws and mollys) on a sheetrock wall. And, has been noted, USB 1.1 is probably fast enough for most printing tasks.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: If you have a mac, forget about it
Review: As others stated, the documentation was AWFUL to say the least. Unless you have XP, you are pretty much on your own. I was able to wrangle through and get the server hooked up to my PC (windows 2000). My two macs, however, will not function with the printer. It requres you have Post Script 3 on your printer. Mine is a laser printer that isn't too old, but doesn't have that feature (would have been nice to read that before buying)
Likewise, none of the administrative software works for a Mac, so if you have no machines running Windows, you are out of luck.

Finally, and this was probably my ignorance and unrealistic expectation, but to me wireless means wireless. For mine to work, the server has to be physically connected to my wireless router via ethernet. If I have to do this, why don't I just use a physical connection in the first place? There are cheaper options for that. The picture on D-links site shows this happy little server floating in wireless space where ever you want to put it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: useful for Macintoshes
Review: Having interfaced a QWEST ActionTec wireless DSL modem, a DirecTV satellite internet portal with a wireless router and then configured a Hawking wireless webcam, I figured I had a clue for getting a wireless printer server running for our Macs.

I'm sorry to say, I failed. I couldn't even figure out how to talk with this box. You might think they'd give it a number like 192.168.0.10 and let you connect to it, but it doesn't even connect via a wire.

While trying to figure out what was wrong, I found out the awful truth. The box doesn't even support IPP, so you can't use a Macintosh with a non-Postscript printer. I punted and returned the piece of junk.

P.S. The hint for the ActionTec modem: Rename your Macintosh COMPUTER when you are wired up to it or it will forget your settings when it reboots. (No I'm not making this up. Maybe all PCs are named COMPUTER or something).

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Actually works as stated
Review: I don't have enough room under my desk to put my printers and wanted to shove one off in a closet. Anyways, I sent back a competing product when after multiple attempts to configure it (including trolling through badly written manuals and tech support websites), it still wouldn't work. So I didn't expect much here. However, this works perfectly. The configuration utility actually worked; the network was recognized and except for a couple of seconds delay between sending the print job and when it starts printing, there are no problems. Was up and running in about ten minutes.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't Waste Your Money
Review: I purchased this wireless print server from Office Max. Beware of purchasing any electronic item from them. They have a 14 day return policy. I have two Macs at home, one IMac and one Powerbook, as well as a Dell notebook. I tried to get the print server connected to a Brother Laser printer, but gave up after a couple of hours. After a few more tries, I called up the D-link tech service and tried all the things they suggested. When that did not work, I tried to return it, but it had already been 14 days, so Office Max would not accept it.

I called up D-link again and went through everything they suggested--to no avail. They finally declared the item defective. This meant that I needed to return it, AT MY COST, to D-Link. I would encourage you to stay away from this product. I wish I had read some of the other reviews on it at various websites. They are generally quite negative. Now I have spent over $100 on a pice of junk.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: worked for me with XP Home, Linux and HP d135
Review: I REALLY like the small size of this unit. It fits great into my new home office setup where I don't have a lot of space near the printer, or an easy way to route a long USB cable.

It is true that the quick start guide is only for Windows XP. I was able to follow the instructions and get everything working on the first try. The only problems I had were with friggin' Windows, not the DP-311U.

Once I had it set up in Windows, I added the Linux connection to the DP-311u's LPR deamon via CUPS and it worked the first time.

I did not bother with the d-link admin program. I never inserted the CD into my CD drive.

Corrections to other postings: 1. This is definately wireless, you only need a 10BaseT wire when you first set it up. 2. There is a "Reset" button that must be pressed with a pin.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: unit works, but WORST customer service EVER
Review: I will never buy another D-Link product. After buying this wireless print server, I followed all install instructions but couldn't get it to work. I assumed it was me, so I paid a PC technician to help me out. He spent 2 hours on the phone with D-Link tech support troubleshooting, and they decided the unit was faulty.
When I called customer service to find out how to exchange it, they sent me back to tech support and made me troubleshoot again before they would give me a return merchandise authorization (RMA). After I paid a skilled tech more than $100 to be on with their techs!!! Overall I had to talk to three people and spent 45 minutes on hold to get the RMA.
Finally I got my RMA and sent the unit back, with all documentation and accessories. When they sent me a replacement, it was just the unit, no manuals, no software, not even an AC adaptor. So I had to spend 20 more minutes with their excruciatingly annoying hold music to talk to customer service. They "promised" me the AC adaptor and manual, but who knows if I'll ever actually get it.
Add to that a complete lack of contrition over selling me a bad product in the first place, and I'm just really disappointed in the whole experience and feel like I've wasted a lot of time and money (price of the unit + tech guy). If I ever get the thing running (with my Netgear router and brother MFC6800 printer) I'll post again about how/if it works.

Update: They did send me the AC power cord and I was able to get the thing up and running but only after blundering through on my own - I found the documentation unhelpful in that the instructions stopped 1/2 through the setup process. So, although I now enjoy having my printer remote from my computer, I still won't ever buy another product from D-Link.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: HORRIBLE customer service
Review: I will start by saying, I WILL NEVER BUY A D-LINK PRODUCT AGAIN.....
I bought this wireless print server and was assured it would work with my Microsoft wireless router. The instructions included with the server are absolutely worthless. The server has a default IP address. The book says that address needs to match the address on your computer but never tells you what to do if they don't. I called customer service- busy signal. Finally after hitting redial for 10 min, I got through only to be put on hold for 20 min and then get disconnected. This happened 3 more times. Finally, when I called really late at night, I got to talk to a "real" person. Possibly the dumbest person ever! He had less of a clue as to what was going on than I did. He took forever just to get my information. His speech was so bad I had to ask him to repeat himself every question. No accent, just mubling. Since I spent 55 minuets on hold and then another 10 minuets just to get my information, by the time we got to my problem, my phone was going dead. I gave him another number and asked him to call me back. Right...
I e-mailed my question and got a response saying I should directly connect my server to my computer. That really helps, thanks.
I have been stumbling with this server for two nights now. I feel I have a good knowledge of computers and networking, but apparently not enough. It is not as simple as they would have you believe. Maybe if you are connecting to other Dlink products it works better. But if you are trying to put it on a network with other brands, do not waste your time.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Very poor product,and not even wireless
Review: Incomplete documentation. DEFINITELY do not buy this if you are not a 'techie'. And plus, its not even a wireless product! It has to be physically connected to the Wireless LAN router, so how is it wireless?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Works for me
Review: It looks like lots of people have had problems with this print server, but I was up and printing in 20 minutes from Windows XP and Linux. I found the documentation sufficient and very straightforward. I guess it helps that the default IP address of the unit fit in with my NAT setup. My only complaint is that it is a bit on the pricy side, but a year from now when I'm still enjoying printing from all of my machines without having to keep a dedicated print serving machine on, I won't miss the few dollars difference between what this cost and what I think it should cost.


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