Binding: Electronics
Brand: Keyspan
EAN: 0672603045032
Feature: Share USB devices via a network
Is Autographed: 0
Is Memorabilia: 0
Item Dimensions: Array
Label: KeySpan
Manufacturer: KeySpan
Model: U2S-2A
Modem Description: None
MPN: U2S-2A
Publisher: KeySpan
Studio: KeySpan
Warranty: 2 years warranty

• Share USB devices via a network
• Access USB devices from a Wi-Fi laptop
• Eliminate need for a dedicated PC to host a USB device
• .2 USB 2.0 Hi-Speed ports. Full 500mA power provided to each port.
• .RJ45 Ethernet connector.. 10/100 autosensing.. IP addressing : Static/DHCP/ZeroConfi g

Network your USB devices! The USB 2.0 Server makes it possible for USB printers (including multi-function printers), USB scanners, USB hard drives and other types of USB devices to be used shared by PCs on a network. It is ideal for home office, small office or classroom use.The USB 2.0 Server supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks - making it easy to print to a USB printer or connect to other USB devices from a Wi-Fi based laptop.

Customer Rating:
Summary: USB server for Mac and PC but not X10
Comment: I boutgh this device to use with a Smarthome Powerlinc V2 USB X10 controller. The plan was to allow me to control and program my home automation from my Powerbook wirelessly. That didn't work too well and I had to disconnect the server - I gave up. Some months later my wife needed to be able to print from her work PC. Our Canon MP830 Multifunction hangs off the Apple Time Capsule wifi/backup device. Macs have no problem seeing the MP830 although they can only print - no other multifunction services work through Wifi. The PC absolutely would not print with the network configured as described. I then remembered I had the U2S-2A in a box somewhere. I got it out installed the server software on all the Macs and the PC laptop. Voila! It works great and we can access full multifunction services from the Mac or the PC. I was even able to FAX from the PC. I also use the Auto-Connect function of the Keyspan software. This works very nicely - grabbing the server only when a computer is printing and then releasing it for other computers to use. I know some here have complained about needing to acquire and then release the server, but they must not have tried the Auto-connect. It works. For ourneeds this device is a great solution.

One thing to remember is you must install all of your printer software and drivers on each computer in order for this to work properly. Get them from the printer manufacturers website. Also, one thing I discovered yesterday - after a power failure you will have to disconnect the Keyspan hardware and then reconnect it in the proper sequence (described by the product instructions).

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Used Predecessor interested in this version
Comment: I've used the preceding model of the Keyspan server, and have been pleased
at it's function. . . They have had inconsistency in their advertisement, and the function, and support problems, but all in all I've been fairly pleased with the performance of this little gadget. I've been interested in this second generation because of the increase in the connection speed. USB 2.0 has speeds of over 400mb/s, unfortunately, connection speed is limited by the ethernet connection which is a max of 100mb/s. This is a quarter of a direct connect, and cannot be achieved by anything less than direct ether cabling or a 802.11n connection. This still increases the usability of a hard disk connection tremendously over the previous generation. . .

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It's a waste of money
Comment: Just like somebody mentioned before, this product doesn't work with multifunctional printers, even though is advertised to do so.

You can only use it as an expensive print server.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: good printer server, not desgined for sharing easily
Comment: Updated 11/7/2007:
I wish they allowing me to change how many stars. I just found out that this device, although it claims to support multi-function device like all in one printers, does not work for Canon MP530 at all. It does not even show the device in the Keyspan server, when it connected to the Keyspam.

I wrote email to Keyspan support to ask what to do and wait for over a week, no reply, no phone call.

I also found out if you are using multi-function device, maybe consider Silex brand device, which Canon bundle it with their multi-function printers. From Canon site, you can get MP530/MP860 bundled with Silex device that is cheaper than this, and you get real Canon support.

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It is small, support two multi-function printers. I only tried on regular Canon printer ip4300. It works well. The printer was on a Linksys network print server before. Keyspan created another entry. Once I switched the printer ports to keyspam from the network, it would not allow me to switch back to the Linksys network port.

The problem we have is that Linksys allows many people to print to the same printer without doing any configuration -- although don't allow check ink level. Keyspam requires anyone wants to print "connects" to the printer first. Once you are done, you have to disconnet the Keyspan server, or other people may not able to print.
Keyspam claims that other people can force disconnect. I have not tried that, but I experience not able to print, if I did not manually "connect" the printer by click on the Keyspan server software, printer entry.

This reduce the chance for people print over each other, but caused trouble for others who has to remember connect and disconnect to this printer server. The software can be little smart to know the printer queue still not finished, so that it would not release the printer till the queue is finished, then lock the queue for next person, since their simulated USB over Ethernet driver can detect that, the Keyspan device itself can also know who is connected to it, so that it will hold off other connection request. But they simplified their programming work, and let human to work on this.

This device does not come with Linux driver, so that it will not work for Linux. That is too bad, since we really like to have this to work with Linux printer queue.

The device is small without fan. It is pretty warm during operation. Hope it will not cause fire.

If you have a few printers on the other end of network, this can work well for you. But I do hope they would improve their software to work without human connection, also add Linux support....

Addition comment on this device. It really sends all the USB communication to the PC over the ethernet. It does so well, that the Canon printer can communicate with PC to detect the ink level. But it also allows the Canon printer driver detected the ink tank was refilled, so that it refuse to print.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Exactly what I was looking for
Comment: This server replaces the older style print server, the FTP type which is one way only and will not report ink levels. The Keyspan USB 2.0 Server costs more AND it makes the printer work like its locally attached. It reports ink levels. In addition I can share an ordinary USB disk drive on the network. IT'S A REALLY GOOD PRODUCT. It installed and worked perfectly the first try. RECOMMENDED.
As usual it was delivered the next day.

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