Linksys PSUS4 USB Print Server Network Switch

Linksys PSUS4 USB Print Server + 4 port Network Switch

The Linksys PSUS4 Print Server Network Switch is available now for $50 and is an ideal purchase for a small home or office network. It combines two key functions of a network device into one by combining a network switch and a print server together. If you've got 2 desktop computers, a laptop and that new color laser printer you bought for Xmas then the PSUS4 will allow you to network them all together and share a your color laser around. All for fifty bucks, A steal. So what's under the hood?

The Linksys PSUS4 Print Server / Network Switch Combo
Print and Network

PSUS4 - A USB Print Server

This site is dedicated to print servers so we'll cover the print server functions and features first then we'll crank up the traffic and check out the network ports. The Linksys PSUS4 is a fairly standard ethernet TCP/IP print server. It comes with 1mb of printer memory, ample for a small home or office network.

Windows is the only operating system supported by the PSUS4. Linksys aren't reknowned for their macintosh and linux support. Installation and configuration under windows xp and windows 2000 was easy but as with most print server installations some knowledge of TCP/IP will help.

The Linksys Bi-Admin utility is easy to use and well documented - You'll be sending print jobs to the laser in the next room in no time. Support for the unit is also solid. Upgrading the print servers firmware is easy - download the file from the firmware download area of the Linksys site select the upgrade firmware option from Bi Admin and locate your firmware file and click UPGRADE. Simple as that.

Once we had the print server configured we began testing. We were impressed by the print servers speed in our test runs. We printed large high quality photographs to a color inkjet printer while copying large files thru the Four network ports and didn't notice any speed decrease. Not what we expected for fifty dollars.

Linksys have also kept the size down - the PSUS4 is only 3.5 inches by 3.7 inches, smaller than some printer power packs! This does lead to more than a little heat under the PSUS4's collar so be sure to place the unit in a well ventilated area.

Linksys PSUS4 - A 4 Port Network Switch

The Linksys PSUS USB Print Server
features 4 network ports and a usb print server

Linksys have packed some networking features into the PSUS4 that are normally only found in more expensive network gear. Each of the four network ports will run at up to 100mb. Duplexing allows each port to send and receive data at the same time pushing throughput up to a theoretical 200mb per port. The days of setting speed and duplexing are long gone - the Linksys PSUS4 autosenses each ports duplex and speed so you shouldn't have any problems if you run standard ethernet network cabling.

The Linksys PSUS4 is a SWITCH and not a hub so each port gets its own bandwidth. We had no problems copying large files across the network while printing some large large printjobs to and should be able to handle all the requirements of four workstations and the print server.

The key to the PSUS4's networking flexibility is the store and forward switching mode it uses. Store and Forward Switching allows the PSUS4 to convert from 10Mbps to 100Mbps seamlessly and comes with a packet checker that throws out bad packets, reducing and isolating potential network problems.

Linksys PSUS4 Specifications

• Printer Port : USB1.1 Type A Port
• Network Ports : 4*10/100 Ethernet Network Ports
• Speed : 10/100 Mbps + Full Duplex Capability
• Protocols Supported : TCP/IP
• Operating Systems Supported : Microsoft Windows 98/ME,Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP
• Warranty : 3 Years

The USB Port is only 1.1 and not the now standard USB 2.0. This shouldn't cause any problems with the main printer manufacturers as most of the major home printer manufacturers aren't using usb 2.0 either.

Considering the cost, the size, the speed and the ease of use the only factor that stops us from keeping our Review model PSUS4 is the review teams bias towards wireless networking technologies and wireless print server / routers. For the wired network buyer - especially a family buyer this is a unbeatable cost saving combo - A games network for the kids and print server for printing essays projects and letters.

Separately this kit would cost you at least a hundred bucks if you were lucky and your separate external print server takes a network port off you. The three year warranty gives you peace of mind. For a small network buyer the PSUS4 is a great way of combining two neccessary network evils into one device no larger than a printers power pack and comes highly recommended.