NETGEAR PS121 Mini Print Server

I purchased this unit to use as a network print server for a 4"x6" thermal label printer at my wife's retail business. It works well, but it was a bit of a challenge to get a final stable configuration. I followed the included directions and I used the included Netgear software to do initial setup for the device. The device relies on getting an IP address from your router; so make sure you write down the IP address assigned by the DHCP in your router. The device has a very simple web interface you can access for status/configuration. The installation will work best and be the most stable if you assign the device a static IP address in your router. I did this in my router by using the router's functionality called "Address Reservation"; whereby I used the print server's MAC address and I gave it the IP address that it first received from the DHCP assignment when it was first connected to the network. I rebooted the router and then when I looked under the router status for DHCP client list, this device's MAC address showed it being assigned the IP address as "Permanent"; which means the IP address is now static. After the initial install with the Netgear software, under Microsoft Windows 10, I had to use Control Panel > View Devices & Printers > Add a Printer > Add a Local Printer > Create a New Port > Create a Standard TCP/IP port. Then I used the IP address obtained during initial configuration with the Netgear software. In one of the next screens, you'll want to click on "Custom Settings" and select "LPR". When doing this Add Printer setup, your printer should be connected to this device with the USB cable; and then proceed with the printer driver install as usual. Configure your Printer Properties, Printing Preferences, print a test page, and you should be finished. You may want to do an Internet search on "Netgear PS121V2 install" and it should bring up some of the sites I used to help work through the final configuration. One of those sites outlined the steps necessary to complete the "Add Printer" steps I mentioned above. The initial configuration is not technically difficult for most DIYers, there's just several steps to complete. Once you get through the initial configuration and your printer works, this is a great way to hang a printer off your LAN without having to share it from one of the computers.

It does the job, I can print from any computer on the network to this print server. No problems yet, but the installation was a tad tricky but I figured it out pretty fast.

I have used this for about 8 years, it works just fine.Allows me to connect a usb printer to my network.Frankly I'm surprised it is still selling, but I guess there are still printers made that cannot plug into a network by themselves.