TRENDnet 1-Port Parallel Print Server TE100-P1P

Bought from a private seller off Amazon.comAfter reading other Amazon.com reviewers, I was aware this would not be a "novice level" device to install. However, I felt I had enough of a basic understanding for setting the IP address as detailed by other TrendNet owners. I simply copied the IP Addresses used one then by the second of two reviewers. More later on why I changed it.I bought this to install on an HPLaserJet 5 and was aware this device needed an extension parallel printer cable as described by another Amazon.com review. However, I chose to wait for the TrendNet Server to arrive before getting the cable.MOUNTING "NAKED" WITHOUT THE PARALLEL EXTENSION CABLESoon after the TrendNet server was delivered, I felt it best to check if it was working right away and accomplished this without the extension cable.On the HPLaserJet 5 printer, the parallel cable exits the HP case with a snug fit. That is the TrendNet Server does need this extension cable. Being without one, I removed the TrendNet Server case and plugged it in. So I have an operational but "naked-caseless" device.The case is not difficult to remove. It has one screw under the top of the label and then must be squeezed to disengage two plastic hooks that snapped the case together. The label is very sticky and must be slowly pulled away.FRAGILENESS?Regarding it's fragility when mounted "naked" with out a case? The printed circuit board is thick and quite sturdy. Upon inspecting, the TrendNet case serves to keep the circuity clean from dust and cover the exposed ciruits. Even if the cover were left on, the majority of the mechanical stress appears to be borne by the circuit board and the cover is "protective dressing."When I put the HPLaserJet 5 printer cover back on, it adds rigidness by holding the circuit board in place. Of the HP cover could be trimmed a tad to make a perfect fit. The printed circuit board is 99% inside of covered the HP printer case, so at this point I will not get a parallel extension cable referred to earlier.WHY TWO DIFFERENT IP ADDRESS CHANGESWith one router, it worked as I wanted it to. The laptop was able to print to the remotel located printer. However, I later installed a 2nd router plugged into the first router and ran into IP addressing issues. The routers use different IP address ranges.Computers attached to the second router can use the printer. But the laptop attached to the first router cannot anymore. I found solutions to my dilemma on the internet. I've not gone back to fix that. For those wanting to know, I have to make the 2nd router a switch. That's for another day.

Losing our good printer I wanted to get our old HP LJ 1320 on line only I couldn't get the old print server to work. Thus this - an inexpensive replacement I thought I could get going in a couple of days (2nd day shipping, though it took 3 days, or 4 if you include Sunday).First little inconvenience - the address. This print server can do DHCP so why is it shipped with a hard address? An address that is often the default router address? Of the hundreds of networks I've worked with if .1 is available in the subnet I've very rarely seen it not used as as the default gateway. How about press a button to put it into DHCP mode or to send a page with the IP info? OK, so I have to isolate this print server - take one of my computers off line, disconnecting network drives, etc. Fine. The software can find it at any address. Anyway, I get it up and running. But not printing.I've worked in IT for quite a few years and have never seen a print server that didn't take a normal printer cable. I had 2 at home. No go. I waited until I got to work so I could borrow a print-extender cable - I found over 50 print cables and 0 print extenders. I called around to a few facilities in my area. Nobody had ever seen one. Ever. So I went back to Amazon and ordered one. Second day shipping wasn't an option so it was another 6 days, for a total of about 10. And of course I now have even more invested in this little stop-gap.I was able to change the IP address with a web browser but not set up a printer for some reason. Nor can a printer be set up using the normal Windows printer utility, like you can with an HP print server. Of course the HP print server is much more expensive... Using the software was pretty simple but I'd like to be able to set up a printer using just the IP address and port number and not worry about using someone else's software.OK, I will admit that the picture clearly shows a centronics end and not a parallel end. I'll take a hit for that, though I think it is unusual. And some of the reviews mentioned the address issue. Still lame. Setting up the printer was easy so I shouldn't complain about how I set it up. In other words, there was a handful of little things about the set up that bugged me but nothing too extreme. So far it seems to be working fine. A good, average C+/B- for this - it ended up costing a little more than I expected (due to cable issue). It works well and isn't bad, but it isn't great either.

This product works perfectly allowing me to place my old laserjet printer on my home network. Easy to setup.