Hawking Technology 3-Port (2 USB + 1 Parallel) Internet Print Server

Average customer rating: 3.0

Poor product, so so tech support
Only one on the market
Finally got it working--here's how!
Would be great if it worked!
No problems - a great solution for Home Office

Hawking Technology 3-Port (2 USB + 1 Parallel) Internet Print Server

Manufacturer: Hawking Technology
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00006B9ES

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Print Servers

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Print Servers

Print Servers

Product Description

With Internet Printing Protocol and by specifying the device's URL, printing jobs can carry through URL, through WAN and Internet. Giving users the flexibility to process any print job from any computer, while reducing file server load, enhancing network performance, as well as, printing performances. Hawking Technology's 2USB + 1Parallel Internet Print Server is designed for high performance with user-friendly standard. The Print Server features 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing port that allows greater compatibility with both 10 BaseT and 100 BaseTX networks.

Customer Reviews:

Poor product, so so tech support.......2007-06-07

Installation is a bit of a pain. The installation program doesn't work under Vista. There is a stripped down version for Vista on their website.

After installation, I couldn't get the thing to print more than a couple of lines of a test page. Tried using a laptop running XP and a desktop running Vista. Tried two different printers, 1 USB & 1 parallel.

The Tech support person was very difficult to understand, but tried to be helpful. The support person pretty much parroted the instructions in the box/website.

Only one on the market.......2007-05-22

I use with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). Easy to setup and works as described.

Finally got it working--here's how!.......2004-04-08

I gave this item 2 stars (one for the potential greatness of it) above, but I couldn't get it working. I was trying to use it with a Mac network and I couldn't get an IP address assigned to the printserver. All the methods the Tech Support and the web and the (horrible) documentation gave me didn't work. Well, I spoke with Tech Support again today and he suggested using the default IP address assigned to the printserver. It was 192.168.2.1

This worked! All I had to do was enter this IP address in my browser and it took me to the page which could configure the printserver so that its IP address would work on my network. I changed the IP address via the browser SetupWIzard option to something similar to the IP address for my ethernet (both of these were adjusted to be similar to my Airport IP address, since I was going to use this with the Airport to print wirelessly). After fussing a little more with the settings (airport has to have appletalk deselected in its prefs, for example), I am now printing happily.

I stuck with this and devoted HOURS to trying to get this to work bcs there really is nothing like it on the market. One parallel port, 2 USB ports--and for a great price! Also it is small and nice-looking.

If anyone needs more detailed info on how to set this up with MacOSX and Airport Extreme, check the Apple discussion boards under
OSX>OS 10.3 Panther>Using Technologies>Networking and the Web.

I think it was worth the effort--but ask me in a few weeks, when all of this hair-pulling struggle has faded a bit in memory.

Would be great if it worked!.......2004-04-07

I bought this print server to use with my macintosh system. The box said it was compatible with OSX. Well--many hours and several calls to tech support and a visit to CompUSA's Apple Store later, the thing still doesn't work. The documentation is in a word, scanty. The instructions for Mac users presume a knowledge base which is not common in the average Mac user. I spent two hours at the CompUSA Apple store working with the Apple professional trying to get the thing to work. The setup requires typing into the Unix terminal--not something most Mac users feel comfortable with. Even the Hawking tech support guy said my unit must be broken--but another unit we opened at CompUSA didn't work either. So...I will probably return this item, although I really don't want to--there isn't anything else like it on the market. That's why I give it two stars instead of one--because apparently some people have gotten it to work, and it is a nicely priced, unique bit of hardware. Sigh.

No problems - a great solution for Home Office.......2004-02-05

With trepidation I bought this print server after reading the numerous bad reviews. Call me crazy - but I was willing to take the risk because I could not find a comparable offering to fit my needs.
Like most people I have acquired a rather nice collection of printers: true laser b/w, high-end multi-function & a high-end photo printer (all of these are HP printers) I also have the need to provide access to multiple users in the household. I searched high and low and this was the only 3 printer print server I could find that mixed USB with the Parallel Port.
I consider myself technology competent - but certainly not savvy. It's true the manual is not the most intuitive - but after downloading the latest version of the drivers and firmware from the website - installation was a breeze for all 3 printers for multiple computers.
I had no problems with bi-directional communication - no problems even supporting the Multi-Function printer.
I have it attached to a 10/100 Switch (not hub) and all my systems are running XP (some home ver and some professional ver).
Can't attest for customer support - because I didn't need to call.
Just wanted to add a rare positive review for this product.

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