D-Link DIR-625 USB Port Question

[Googer]

Can I use the USB port on the back of the D-Link DIR-625 router for network printing or is it solely reserved for configuration purposes only?


-Thank You.

 

[KenAF2]

Configuration purposes only.

 

[JackMDS]

As much as it sound strange, plug/jack mean nothing, it is the circuitry that behind them that matters.

The circuitry behind the USB port in the Router in question ain't a Printer server.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
As much as it sound strange, plug/jack mean nothing, it is the circuitry that behind them that matters.

The circuitry behind the USB port in the Router in question ain't a Printer server.

I completely understand that. The reason why I asked was because I did not know what circuits or IC's were connected to that port. Second, I suspect if someone wrote a linux version for that router, the USB port could be used for other things like printing or mass storage. I think it is a standard USB host controller with restrictions in the firmware; because I believe D-Link wants to sell you an axillary $75 print server. As it seems that all the routers with them (print servers) built in are of the 802.11b type and have been discontinued with no successor part to replace it. In other words, selling separate routers/print servers is a better, more profitable business model.


Also I did read a review article the other day about the DIR-625 and the reviewer did mention print but never tested it. I post it when I can find it again (it wasn't easy to find in the first place)

 

[JackMDS]

Take into consideration that 3rd party printer servers usually allow simple printing and nothing else.

if you already going to pay close to $100 you are much better off buying a Network ready Printer.

Brother has a Good AIO (Color Printer/Fax/Copy/Scanner) that is network ready and can be found on sales for $100.

I have one good Photo printer hooked to the main computer, and a Network Brother that does the general work as well as faxing etc.

Works very well.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Take into consideration that 3rd party printer servers usually allow simple printing and nothing else.

if you already going to pay close to $100 you are much better off buying a Network ready Printer.

Brother has a Good AIO (Color Printer/Fax/Copy/Scanner) that is network ready and can be found on sales for $100.

I have one good Photo printer hooked to the main computer, and a Network Brother that does the general work as well as faxing etc.

Works very well.

I really want to keep costs down. And buying another printer is out of the question.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Googer
As it seems that all the routers with them (print servers) built in are of the 802.11b type and have been discontinued with no successor part to replace it.

Here are two wireless routers from D-Link with print server capability, DI-724U and DI-724GU:

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=460
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=493

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: Googer
As it seems that all the routers with them (print servers) built in are of the 802.11b type and have been discontinued with no successor part to replace it.

Here are two wireless routers from D-Link with print server capability, DI-724U and DI-724GU:

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=460
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=493

Thank you. I had considered the DI-724GU (office router) but it is pricey. But I failed to notice the other router you listed. Much appreciated. Do you know if it's any good? Are there any stability issues with it?

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Googer
I had considered the DI-724GU (office router) but it is pricey. But I failed to notice the other router you listed. Much appreciated. Do you know if it's any good? Are there any stability issues with it?

Sorry, I don't really know. Both these "Office Routers" seem to be internally relatives of the "Gaming Router" DGL-4300 (which is hilarious, btw, isn't it?), so because owners like me tend to consider the DGL-4300 to be a good router, I'd consider the DI-724GU/U to be likely to be good routers as well. But they're still pricey from what I see, and not everyone agrees that the DGL-4300 is a good router...

Odds are that they're OK at least as routers, but in all such cases, you should check as far as you can the reputation of the print server, and whether or not your printer is supported. Sometimes if your printer is not on the list, it simply won't work, and you won't get any support for it.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: Googer
I had considered the DI-724GU (office router) but it is pricey. But I failed to notice the other router you listed. Much appreciated. Do you know if it's any good? Are there any stability issues with it?

Sorry, I don't really know. Both these "Office Routers" seem to be internally relatives of the "Gaming Router" DGL-4300 (which is hilarious, btw, isn't it?), so because owners like me tend to consider the DGL-4300 to be a good router, I'd consider the DI-724GU/U to be likely to be good routers as well. But they're still pricey from what I see, and not everyone agrees that the DGL-4300 is a good router...

Odds are that they're OK at least as routers, but in all such cases, you should check as far as you can the reputation of the print server, and whether or not your printer is supported. Sometimes if your printer is not on the list, it simply won't work, and you won't get any support for it.

It's most likely going to be the OS or software the router is running that will determine it's stability. Not the hardware. There are a lot of Linksys routers that will spontaneously reboot and exhibit strange behaviors but that all goes away once they are re-flashed with some flavor of Linux.

I have a DGL-4300 and it is a fantastic router, it's stable, fast, feature packed, and a great value.

 

[Googer]

I meant to ask does the DI-724U have any stability issues?