print servers and device servers

I followed the instructions for setting up the DP-G310 and it worked without a hitch on my DI-624 four computer (Wi and Et) home network. All computers (Win ME and Win XP) are able to print to the HP-5650 connected to the DP-G310 via Wi or Et connection. However, there is one thing I do not like about the DP-G310 - it does not support the WPA PSK Wi security protocol. I find it disappoint that DLink's DI-624 supports WPA-PSK but their only 802.11G print server, the DP-G310 does not support it. The DP-G310 only supports WEP so if that is selected than the entire network (DI-624 and any wireless devices on the network) security must also be set to the less secure WEP setting. DLink tech support said that they didn't know if a firmware upgrade to WPA PSK would be offered or not. I would not have purchased the DP-G310 if I had know it lacked the more secure wireless feature and was not going to be firmware upgraded to WPA PSK.

Maybe it was just me, but when I set this up I could either (1)print or (2) access the internet. I guess I wasn't as computer saavy as I needed to be, but I didn't have the time to figure it out. The Belkin wireless print server worked fine, printing from one wireless notebook within minutes after opening the box.

I would like to share my experience with this print server - it took me only 15 minutes to get it setup and print the first page.

First unit I got is defective - it refused to talk to my router reliably. Exchanged for the second unit and this one works like a charm. I am able to print from my notebook and desktop to my Samsung Multifunction Laser printer - the print speed is FAST and feels similar to direct USB connection!

Here's my advice on setting this unit up under Windows XP
1) First connect the DP-G310 via regular ethernet cable (NOT cross-over cable) to your Router / Hub / Switch. From Internet Explorer (or Netscape) type http://192.168.0.10 to enter the DP-G310 setup. If it doesn't come up then you need to follow the instruction on setting your computer's IP address to within the range. Fortunately, I have a D-Link 802.11B router which automatically talk to the DP-G310 so I don't have to go through the trouble of manually set IP address on my computer.

(However, if you don't have a Router / Hub and you just want to connect the DP-G310 DIRECTLY to your computer's ethernet port then you will most likely need a cross-over cable and need to set IP address of your computer maunally as instructed in the manual.)

2) Once you enter the DP-G310 setup page you need to enter your router's name, any encryption (64 vs. 128 bit, etc). This part is explained in the installation instruction.

3) Carefully write down the name of the print port as directed in the instruction manual. You will need this name later.

4) Now, save the settings, and make sure your firmware is up to date (v. 1.10 as of 6/05/04). Unplug the power of the DP-G310. Disconnect the ethernet cable from the DP-G310 and the router. Now power up the DP-G310 again and look carefully at the WLAN light and MAKE SURE IT'S LIT!! It takes about 30 seconds to establish connection with your router. Once the WLAN lights up go back to your web browser again and trying to enter the DP-G310 setup again. IF YOU CAN'T BRING THE SETUP PAGE UP DO NOT PROCEED - your print server is NOT talking wirelessly to your router so you need to go back to hard-wire connection and make sure all your wireless settings are indeed correct.

5) If you can bring up the DP-G310 setup page "wirelessly" then you are ready to proceed to the next step - setup the printer. Now, this is where the instruction becomes a bit confusing. The installation instruction tells you to manually create a TCP/IP printer port first then select the printer driver; however, this assumes that the printer driver for your particular printer is ALREADY provided by Windows XP. In reality, this is not the case for majority of the newer printers out on the market. If Windows XP does not already have built-in driver for your printer I recommend you do the following first:

For example, if you want to print from your notebook wirelessly to a USB Laser printer, THE FIRST THING TO DO IS INSTALL THE USB DRIVER OF THAT LASER PRINTER ONTO YOUR NOTEBOOK using a regular USB cable and make sure your notebook can print through the USB cable first.

After the printer is setup to print through USB cable, disconnect the USB cable, open the "Printer Folder" window, right click your printer, and goto "properties". Now click the "port" tab. Click "add port", click "Standard TCP/IP Port", and click "create new port". Now just follow the direction in the instruction manual - it's straight forward from this point on.

Although it may seem complicated but for me it's a smooth process and only took me about 15 minutes - now my desktop and my notebook both print wireless to my Samsung Laser Multifunction which connect through USB cable to DP-G310.

I hope the above information may be helpful.