Earlier this year I posted instructions on how to configure a Linksys WPS54G wireless print server to work with OSX, and many folks have found those instructions helpful. Well, I'm updating those instructions right now:
Buy a D-Link DPR-1260 instead!
My Linksys died in a very bizarre way (every client suddenly stalled intermittently, giving a "Control file sent" message on every print job, and proceeding to print bugger all until I stopped the queue and power-cycled the print server) so I decided to try something else. On a complete fluke, I happened to buy the DPR-1260 and brought it home to try it out. I also bought a Netgear equivalent but the D-Link was $20 cheaper, so I tried that first.
Talk about easy.
It was a little disheartening to see OSX listed as supported on the box but violently omitted from the manual. So, resigned to firing up Parallels Desktop (running WinXP) to get the thing configured, I was even more startled when the browser-based setup procedure started installing components into my Windows install. "Aye-aye," though Pirate Me, "this don't look too fruity."
Nonetheless, the printer worked from Parallels so then I went into OSX's Printer Setup utility and configured the printer there using the LPD options, the print server IP address, and the queue name shown in the print server's Web interface.
And it worked first time.
None of the Linksys's "Call it this when you set it up and then change the name before you print" nonsense. Nope. It just worked. Others have had similar successes (see?). We now have two MacBooks, an iBook, and a MacMini all printing to the same Brother MFC printer. Huzzah!
So, if you intend to use OSX with a print server, buy a DPR-1260, is my advice.
Hi Dave,
So, what were your reasons to buy a print router/server? I have 2 machines at home and just run the print command through the "share printer" setting from the main desktop that is connected to the printer (and always on - hey, it's a Mac, so no need to shut down, right?).
By the way, how much do print routers cost? I think I was originally dissuaded from getting one since I had my own free workaround.
Posted by: Rob | October 26, 2007 at 13:06
You gave the reason in your comment, Rob -- keeping a machine on all the time just to print stuff! I'd been doing that for years and realized that the machine in question (a Windows desktop) was being kept on for that reason alone, which was a waste of power and created additional "fan noise" in my office. The print server cost $80 from Best Buy; I could've got it cheaper elsewhere, I'm sure, but I needed a replacement fast.
Posted by: Dave | October 26, 2007 at 14:43
Do you still have access to the multifunction features of a printer using this (and OS X)?
Posted by: Jeff | October 30, 2007 at 18:30
No, unfortunately not. Getting MFC features through a print server is a total kludge -- and a Windows-only one, at that. For me, it's not a huge loss; I just unhook the printer from the server and plug it into my MacBook, which does the rest. I don't know of any hardware that allows OSX to utilize MFC features remotely. And why would you want to? If you're scanning something, you need to be by the printer anyway!
Posted by: Dave | October 30, 2007 at 21:06
Well. I did as you said and returned the Linksys print server (which I couldn't get to work at all from my Macs, only my PCs (but the mutlifunction features worked great)).
I purchased the D-Link DPR-1260. It took me 4 days, but I eventually got it to print... but only when I downgrade the firmware of the print server to 1.12 (I read online another gentleman who has the same printer (Canon Pixma MP830) who could only get it to print after the firmware downgrade (where I got the idea from)).
I tried D-Link tech support (which was a joke... even though I told them I was a network engineer they still stuck me with tier 1 support who wasted 1/2 trying to read manuals and telling me how to reconfigure my network so that I could see the print server setup screen (even after I told him 100 times that I had my network configured correctly and could log into the setup screens just fine... sigh) After that I finally got pushed up to tier 2, waited for 25 minutes on hold, got the guy on the phone and was disconnected 2 minutes later while he was talking. At that point I gave up on tech support (frustrated and unhappy).
Unfortunately I can't use any multifunction features (not even from my PCs). I'm wondering if I should send this one back too... not only is it slow to print, but its obviously very buggy and tech support does not seem very reliable. I just wish there was another product out there I could rely on that worked for both Macs and PCs (if anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to chime in :). And no, I do not need wireless... I turned that feature off, although it is nice to have in case I ever move the printer).
Posted by: Jeff | November 05, 2007 at 11:27
Sorry you had such a torrid time, Jeff! The firmware on mine is the latest version (1.21) and has worked perfectly the entire time I've had it. The only complaint you'll hear from me is that it doesn't support the multifunction features of my printer through the Mac. I haven't tried to do this with my PCs because...well, because I try to avoid them as much as possible and can easily forgo the minor convenience.
Certainly the support available from Linksys and, apparently, D-Link for Mac users is pretty awful. The world assumes everyone's a Windows user, sadly.
If you'd like some specific support with the print server, though, send me an e-mail and I'd be happy to try and help.
Dave
Posted by: Dave | November 05, 2007 at 20:36
Hi all,
I read that someone is able to print from a shared printer on the DLink dpr1260, my printer is Canon mp180. I am able to print from a Window XP PC, but I am not able to actually install the printer on a Mac OS X. Can someone give me the actual step do be able to install the shared printer on the Mac and print. Maybe use the multifonction stuff to
Thank
Posted by: Philippe | November 17, 2007 at 01:56
I just posted step-by-step instructions on how to get the print server working for OSX users, here.
Posted by: Dave | November 28, 2007 at 20:26
Routers have come a long time in the last few years it's amazing how much they've changed.
Posted by: | June 19, 2009 at 18:09
Hi Dave - I just found the post "HOWTO: Configure a Linksys WPS54G wireless print server on Mac OSX" and it worked like a charm. Thanks for posting it. I got the Linksys PS from a friend so I am using it as long as I can and hopefully it doesn't give me any trouble.
Thanks again
Posted by: Markus | September 25, 2009 at 14:26