PCSTATS     
[X]   Directory of
Guides & Reviews

Beginners Guides
Motherboards by Brand
Weekly Newsletter
Archived Newsletters

LinkSys EtherFast 2-port PrintServer Review
LinkSys EtherFast 2-port PrintServer Review - PCSTATS
Some of you will be familiar with the grinding halts, crashed windows and other joys of having your computer act as a print server for an entire office of print-crazy co-workers.
 79% Rating:   
Filed under: Printers Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: Linksys Jan 27 2001   Max Page  
Home > Reviews > Printers > Linksys EFSP42

Specs and Conclusion

Print Server Specs:

Features

  • Bi-Directional 2-Port Print Server for Both 10BaseT and 100BaseTX Networks
  • Four Full-Duplex, Dedicated Bandwidth 10/100 Switched Ports
  • Simultaneously Supports Multiple, Concurrent Print Jobs
  • Runs with Most Laser, Ink Jet, Bubble Jet, Color, and Dot Matrix Parallel Printers
  • Stand-Alone Unit-No Dedicated Print Server PC Required
  • Compatible with Both Half and Full Duplex Networks
  • On-Board DMA Controller Chip Supports Turbo Printing Speeds
  • 256KB RAM Buffer for Faster Graphics
  • 512KB Flash Memory for Future Upgrades
  • Data Collision Control & Polarity Correction
  • Free Technical Support & Software Upgrades
  • 3 Year Limited Warranty

Specs

  1. Standards: Ethernet II, IEEE 802.2, IEEE 802.3
  2. Protocols: TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBEUI, EtherTalk
  3. Ports:
    1. Four auto-sensing 10/100BaseTX with Shared Uplink
    2. 2 DB-25, Bi-directional parallel printer ports
  4. Speed: 10/100Mbps Switched Ethernet
  5. Cabling Type: UTP Category 5 or STP
  6. Topology: Star
  7. LEDs: Power, Link/ACT, FD/Col, Speed for LAN.
  8. Status, Error, Link for PrintServer

Taking a closer look:

Front of the print server.
Rear of the print server. The two parallel ports enable to printers to be hooked up to the unit. The four Ethernet jacks allow the print server to also function as hub for a small office or home environment.
As with all Linksys networking gear they are meant to be stacked with one another. Sort of like giant Lego blocks.

Conclusions:

While we found the installation procedure a bit too vague for our liking, once we were able to properly configure all the setting under a Windows 98SE network environment we found the server to operate as expected. Print jobs were immediately sent to printer, where previously they had taken a few minutes, or just stalled. All in all we're very pleased with the server's performance in the SOHO application. The added bonus of a built-in hub is nice.

Update:

Since we have been using this print server for a few months now several faults have popped up which were not immediately obvious. First of all, the Printserver has a tendency to sometimes steal IP's in a networked office environment (ie. 192.168.1.1), and secondly it will 'stall' out every so often - usually when large print jobs go through it. While the latter undoubtedly has more to do with the amount of memory in the printer the effect on the IP structure of an internal network can be annoying.

To update our opinion on the Linksys Printserver I would have to say the following. It is good for a small network of no more than about 10 computers with an average print load, and print jobs which are not too heavy in size.

< Previous Page © 2023 PCSTATS.com Printers Reviews...»

 

Contents of Article: Linksys EFSP42
 Pg 1.  LinkSys EtherFast 2-port PrintServer Review
 Pg 2.  — Specs and Conclusion

 
Hardware Sections 


 
PCSTATS Network Features Information About Us Contact
FrostyTech
PCSTATS Newsletter
Tech Glossary
Technology WebSite Listings
News Archives
(Review RSS Feed)
Site Map
PCstats Wallpaper
About Us
Privacy Policy
Advertise on PCSTATS

How's Our Driving?
© Copyright 1999-2023 www.pcstats.com All rights reserved. Privacy policy and Terms of Use.