These days, running a Wi-Fi network is cheap and easy. So why is it still such a hassle to share a printer? Unless you connect it to a dedicated print server (or a router with a print server) so that it can operate independently, you have no choice but to leave your printer tethered to a PC that's always on.
Enter Netgear's WGPS606 wireless print server with a four-port switch, which enables you to share up to two USB printers (and four PCs) across your existing 802.11b/g Wi-Fi network. While the device isn't intended to take the place of your existing Wi-Fi router, you could easily mistake it for one. Rather, it's a wireless print server that doubles as a four-port Ethernet switch and a Wi-Fi bridge. It's a great idea, and the WGPS606 costs less than some standalone print servers that support only one printer. However, two fairly important issues threaten to spoil the party: configuration and compatibility.
Before you even consider buying the product, make sure the WGPS606 wireless print server supports your printers. According to information on Netgear's Web site (found only in the support section, not the main product page), only about a dozen laser printers and 40 inkjets will work with it. While many popular models made the cut, many others didn't, so it's essential that you check first. We performed our tests with an Epson Stylus Photo 1280 inkjet and an HP LaserJet 1022. The latter doesn't appear on the list of compatible printers, but the nearly identical LaserJet 1012 does, so we decided to try our luck. According to Netgear's site, "Other printers may be compatible."
Configuration promised to be easy enough, thanks to the included software CD, which offers a pair of wizards: one to set up printers, the other to set up PCs for printing. Alas, we immediately encountered a host of minor obstacles, not the least of which was incomplete documentation. For starters, the primary wizard initially failed to detect the print server, suggesting that we double-check the connections and turn off any installed firewalls. After disabling Windows XP's firewall (good thing we knew how), it detected the print server immediately. Later, a screen appeared telling us to "reserve the selected IP address" in our router's settings, with no further explanation.
The process of setting up a PC to access a shared printer can be vexing as well. The WGPS606's wizard instructs you to install the printer's drivers on each computer, but that's not always possible. In the case of the LaserJet 1022, for instance, the driver needs to detect the printer before it can complete its installation. In most printer-sharing configurations, a remote computer can pull the necessary drivers from the host PC. Why not here?
Alas, it turned out to be a moot issue, at least with the HP LaserJet. The printer simply wouldn't work with the WGPS606. Thankfully, the Stylus Photo 1280 ran like a charm, though we couldn't just run the Epson software CD on each computer -- again because the installer needs to detect the printer. Instead, we downloaded the driver from Epson, extracted it to a local folder, and accessed it as necessary from within the WGPS606 setup wizard.
The good news is that once your PCs and printers are configured, the WGPS606 performs splendidly. It also makes for a fine Wi-Fi range extender, and we found wireless throughput to be nearly as speedy as from our own router. The device supports both WEP and WPA-PSK encryption, and its onboard settings are easy to adjust, thanks to Netgear's simple (and familiar) browser-based interface.
Netgear supports the WGPS606 wireless print server with a one-year warranty. Netgear's Web site offers e-mail support, a user forum, and a knowledge base that includes software updates, drivers and manuals.
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birdfarm
24/06/2008, 02:37 PM
rating
7/10
Works like a charm.....setup in 5 minutes! Requires that you run the provided software for setup. Run the "printer setup" on the disk, accesses the interface
Pros: Solid connections, can set up 2 printers with no problem, decent value
Cons: somewhat poor quickstart documentation, WIFI blue light somewhat annoying
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estradafix
21/04/2008, 04:58 PM
rating
5/10
Wireless prints from Vista laptop start and end incomplete.Also sometimes requires driver cd installed again due to loss of use.
Pros: Will print from anywhere in the structure
Cons: incomplete prints and driver reinstalls required
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aymanjaneb@shaw.ca
26/12/2007, 05:35 PM
rating
2/10
I have Samsung ML2510 Laserjet printer and i have Netgear WGPS606 Print Server they both were running fine for first afew weeks till i started experiencing Flashing Yellow LED , and to over come that Flashing Yellow LED i had to keep disconnecting the power jack from the print server and reconnect it again but that way it detect my whireless router and the Blue wirelss LED goes on but 2 minutes after the Print server disconnect from the Router and start flashing Yellow LED again. so over all i say this product is very bad will never buy same product in the futuer. I have updated my unit to the latest firmware version release on Netgear website but still having the flashing Yellow LED and have no solution to it till now. if anyone has solution please drop me a line to resolve this issue. my e-mail is aymanjaneb@shaw.ca .
thank you.
Pros: didn't see anything for this unit to make me comment on Pros
Cons: Very expensive, Very hard to setup, It keep disconnecting from the wireless access point within one foot of distance from the wireless access point.
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knvl
13/11/2007, 11:27 AM
rating
9/10
I use it with USB-to-Parallel adapter, and have no problems running any printers I have (LaserJet 6P, DesignJet 350C, even Roland sign cutter!
Pros: nice thing, does the job right
Cons: Tried to connect more than 2 printers via USB hub - does not work
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quaalude
25/04/2007, 10:44 PM
rating
10/10
Excellent if printer supported. Very handy 4 port switch to bridge to existing wireless router.
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Wittig
03/04/2007, 12:45 PM
rating
2/10
Technical assistance is from India. The technicans seem only to be able to read from a script and have little or no knowledge of the hardware, software, or the interactions. When all else fails (try 18 hrs on the phone for three days!) they comment that the computers I have are not compatable:
Cannon MF8120C (Laser - not a cheap printer) and HP deskjet 6980 (again an office quality printer and NOT a cheapie)
They will not transfer you to netgear in the U.S. will disconnect you many times as they canot fix problem. A DISASTER!
Pros: CRAP
Cons: NEVER WILL BUY A NETGEAR PRODUCT AGAIN. I even took the hardware back and exchanged it. Still Junk.
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Mish
25/11/2006, 04:34 PM
rating
6/10
If you own a "cheapy" printer it won't work. Cheap printers require the PC to be directly connected to it as the printer uses the PC's processor and memory to rasterize the image.
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Furious
10/11/2006, 01:37 PM
rating
3/10
If you have a printer that's not on the Windows XP default list good luck. I tried installing an HP 1315 (not exactly a scarce printer) and in order to get it to work you MUST install the printer on each computer, and have it set up as the default printer, BEFORE it can be installed using the server. Ridiculous. Why can't it simply download the drivers from an already existing install like any other network printer installation? I've got a trouble ticket in to Netgear support to see if they can fix this before I return the unit. That's why I've rated it a 3 for now.
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atheist
10/11/2006, 09:31 AM
rating
2/10
Can blow up in your face if you cable it in to main switch
Pros: Wireless range extender
Cons: Less reliable than old 386 as print server.
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Paul Clarke
31/10/2006, 01:39 AM
rating
2/10
A lot of hassle to set up and configure + upgrade firmware
Finally got it going after a lot of hassle.
I later decided update the firmware and followed the instructions on Linksys website. The thing didn't update properly for some reason and now I can't access the set-up/configuration page. In effect it's now a useless box which I can't do anything with!!
Pros: Cheapish and cheerul to look at!
Cons: User-unfriendly set-up software. User instructions very basic and unhelpful.
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