D-Link DP-301P+ Fast Ethernet Print Server RJ45 Parallel Port with Centronics connector

Pros: Speedy. Worked with ancient printer. Web GUI for device setup was complete.

Cons: The full user manual includes direct TCP/IP setup for Win 98SE. The admin manual only suggests NETBUI.

Better documentation would have ALL of the operating system installations in one manual.

In addition documentation should offer the install from just creating and modifying a printer port for an already installed printer driver and not necessarily going through the add-printer routine.

Pros: quick and easy setup, worked on our Zebra 505 and Zebra 500 Plus Label printers

Cons: does take up a good amount of space behind the printer but that was expected when i purchased this unit

Other Thoughts: we saved a TON of money switching away from Intermec label printers and LabelShop 8 software which charges $400 for their version of this item and even more money to upgrade the software to be able to add networked Intermec printers.

thanks D-Link you saved the day and a lot of money as well

Pros: Works great with legacy printers. Easy to connect to network as long as you understand network IP addresses. Just configure your router to assign a static IP and then assign this static IP to the printer. Straightforward.

Cons: If you have a tight connection at the printer's connector, you might have difficulty keeping it connected. You could use a short M-F cable to address this problem. First I would try it out and then figure if you need the cable. Mine worked fine with an HP 5MP printer even though the space was tight.

Pros: This adapter together with the D-Link DAP-1350 enabled wireless network printing to an AutoLabel PI 412c bagger printer from Automated Packaging Systems.
Manufacturer offers a network (Ethernet) card for this printer for over $450. The D-Link DP-301P+ adapter allowed the same connectivity for about $400 less.

Cons: None so far...

Other Thoughts: DP-301P+ configuration:
First a static IP from local network was configured on the DP-301P+ adapter using its web interface and following manufacturer's instructions. Then the adapter was connected to our network and to the Centronics parallel port of an old HP LaserJet 4050 for testing purposes. A NEW "Local" printer was then added to a test computer with a NEW "TCP/IP Standard" port pointing to the same static IP previously configured in the adapter. Then the drivers for the HP printer were loaded, and a multiple test pages were printed successfully on the new network printer.

DAP-1350 configuration:
A D-Link DAP-1350 Wi-Fi adapter was then configured in "client" mode by first connecting it to the Wi-Fi network using its web interface Wireless Setup screen. Once confirmed that the Wi-Fi adapter was connected to the Wi-Fi network, the MAC address of the DP-301P+ was entered in the "Wireless MAC Clone" of the DAP-1350 Wireless Setup screen. Both adapters were then connected using

Pros: Works as intended. It allowed the connection of Autobag PI 412c bagger printer to our network. This Automatic Packaging Systems printer only had a printer port (parallel, Centronics connector). An ethernet card for this printer would cost over $450 from manufacturer, so we saved about $400 by using this ethernet to parallel adapter from D-Link.

Cons: None so far.

Other Thoughts: We configured a static IP using this adapter Web interface, then we added a new Local Printer with a new TCP/IP port on our computer pointing to the configured static IP in the adapter. We connected this adapter first on an old HP LaserJet 4050 printer and we were able to print to it. Then we connected this adapter to the PI 412c printer, and it worked fine too. Then we added a D-Link DAP-1350 WiFi to Ethernet adapter configured as a WiFi client cloning the DP-301P+ MAC address and this final configuration gave us a WiFi connection to our legacy PI 412c parallel printer. This printer is now working in a Production Line in our company and can be moved freely if needed on the production floor thanks to its new WiFi connection. All it needs is 3 power outlets for the printer plus the 2 adapter power supplies. For about $109 plus the time it took us to configure both adapters (about 1 hour) we can not ask for more.

Pros: I picked up this print server several years ago and it worked great but recently it had to reconfigure it for Windows 7 operation. The old software will not run on newer windows versions but you can set the PS by going into your router and finding the IP it addresses the PS with then going to the settings for static IP and referencing the static IP the PS has to the one the router assigns it. Works great on the old HP Laserjet 4 now as a network printer. D-link site offers little on this tidbit.

Cons: Older technology that works but you need to be willing to work the issues with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Expect it to add a few inches for clearance where the parallel port connects.

Pros: Fast,easy...

Cons: none

Pros: Works great with my 25 year old PrinTronics band printers. First try a go.
Thanks,
I'm off to buy 4 more.

Cons: None.

Pros: Once configured, it seems to fulfill basic printing needs. There is a web interface to allow you to configure some print server options.

Cons: This product hasn't been updated since 2004 and the included software only runs on Windows XP or older. There is also a web interface, but it turns out that it doesn't allow you to configure some critical options.

Specifically, the web interface doesn't allow you to configure the print server to use DHCP. It has an option to "obtain the address automatically", but this didn't enable DHCP. The device itself supports 3 different ways to automatically get an IP address, but none of these are exposed on the web interface. Once you get the device into this state, all you can do is find somebody else with an XP PC and run the admin tools to correct the problem. Even when I did finally get it set up to use DHCP, it didn't work properly on my network (with my D-Link router). I finally just gave in and assigned a static IP address.

Other Thoughts: I bought this because I replaced all of my old computers that had XP the new motherboards don't have a parallel port. This seemed like a good option to give new live to a trusty LaserJet that just won't die.

Pros: I have a many of these as well as the DP-300's installed at several clients networks. Print servers are easy to setup and can be administered through software loaded on 1 PC which is very nice since I have several installed at a single site. They work well with very little downtime. Besides large jobs (see below) I have yet to reboot one of these.

Cons: Only problem I have run into is the inability to handle large print jobs. One printer is used to print jobs of over 100 pages every day and I found that print server needed to be rebooted atleast 2 times a week.

Other Thoughts: Great way to network older but reliable printers. Almost all are hooked up to HP 4000 series that do not have a Nic. These printers seem to last forever and it has been a good way get them on the network and useful again. Just stay away if you are looking for something heavy duty.