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Ian Chiu
EverythingUSB
Managing Editor

Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 3631

OS: Windows XP, Panther

Exclusive Keyspan USB Server Review

We just posted a review on the Keyspan USB Server. The USB Server is a network-attached USB switch that allows a user on the network to take control of a remote USB device, provided that no one else already has control of it.

The latest management software supports USB printers, USB multi-function printers, USB scanners and USB HID devices, such as tablets, mice and keyboards. Feel free to ask Billy any questions you may have regarding this one of a kind device.

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Last edited by Ian Chiu on 05-20-2004 at 01:57 AM

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05-19-2004 08:36 AM

RobC1
Newbie

Registered: Jun 2004
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Posts: 4

OS: Mac OX 10.3.4

The USB switch is a great idea. With up-dates like these it's even better!

Hi, I think the network-attached USB switch is a great idea.

When will the USB II version be available?

I have a home network using a D-Link di-614. Wireless for my PC laptop (XP pro) and CAT5-e to my PC desktop (XP pro). My main computer is a Mac G4 MD dual 1 GHz (OSX 10.3.4). I have an old Apple LaserWriter 4/600 connected byway of an Ether Mac iPrint adapter to the router, a HP DeskJet 970cxi to the Mac USB. Also an Epson 3200 FB scanner 1394 to the Mac.

Here are my questions; I want network storage on the cheep along with sharing printers. I have a 120 GB Ultra/ATA 7200 rpm Western Digital hard drive in an external box with USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and 1394. I would like to use the Keyspan USB switch? I can wait for the USB 2.0 version. How well wills this work with the Mac? Anyone have any other ideas? I don't need this bad enough to spend big on a real NAS.

Thanks

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06-12-2004 04:37 PM

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Ian Chiu
EverythingUSB
Managing Editor

Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 3631

OS: Windows XP, Panther

Hold on a sec... could you simplify your question a bit? I am having some problems understanding what you might want...

quote:
When will the USB II version be available?

Here's the official response from Keyspan team regarding the Hi-Speed USB request.

The initial notes explain that we did not use Hi-Speed USB because it is:
(1) too expensive; and (2) not needed for most of the applications in ourtarget market. Some reviewers have noted that an EHCI (Hi-Speed) USB hostcontroller costs about the same as an OHCI (Full Speed) USB host controller-- so they do not understand why we are saying a Hi-Speed USB Server would have been more expensive.

A Hi-Speed USB Server would have required a more powerful processor. It also would have required embedded PCI. (The current design uses an embedded USB 1.1 host controller that does not require PCI.) A more powerful processor and embedded PCI would have significantly raised the manufacturing cost of the USB Server, preventing us from street price targets that retailers had identified.

Alternatively, if you are looking into sharing your USB storage, Linksys WILL have a product ready by late June 2004 that bridges any TWO Hi-Speed USB storage with an Ethernet network.
http://www.everythingusb.com/news/index/3712.htm

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Last edited by Ian Chiu on 06-14-2004 at 04:12 AM

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06-14-2004 04:09 AM

RobC1
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Registered: Jun 2004
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Posts: 4

OS: Mac OX 10.3.4

Network storage (Ximeta NetDisk)

Thanks for the reply,
And the information on USB II.

What I'm looking for is network storage on the cheap. Network printing and other USB stuff is secondary. The Ximeta NetDisk External Drive may do it for me if they have drivers for the Mac.

Thanks. Rob

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06-15-2004 05:20 AM

wwang3170
Newbie

Registered: Nov 2004
Location:
Posts: 1

OS: Windows XP SP2

Disconnecting the USB server from the network causes blue screen on XP

I've had the USB server from Keyspan for about 4 months, and it functions great with only one problem for me (though it's a major one that sort of defeat the purpose of this USB server in the first place.)

My problem using it is that whenever I disconnect the USB server from my local network, one of my machines (my main desktop from Sony, using Windows XP SP2) will get a blue screen, saying something like device failure.

I made sure I never disconnect it when one of the devices is in use, or even when I have something subscribed. But anytime, after the computer is booted up and Keyspan's program loaded into system tray (I have their latest software and firmware) when the USB server is going away, my desktop gets the blue screen right away.

I've been trying to isolate this problem myself to a degree that I completely reformat the hard drive, reinstall just the OS (w/o any update at all) and Keyspan's software and it's still doing this.

It's not so much of me wanting to disconnect the server all the time, but because from time to time I do work from home, and the VPN software that my company uses has the highest security setting that when run, it disconnect my company from the rest of my local network, which then I will run into the blue screen if I have Keyspan's software installed and run.

I've reported this issue to Keyspan's tech support, and initially they blamed on the VPN software. But I showed them that w/o the VPN, I can get to the blue screen with just unplugging the power from the USB server, they mentioned that they've received some complains about the blue screen.

No fix yet from their tech support. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

Wei Wang

ps. My other machine, a leptop running Win2k doesn't have this issue at all. So I am using that as my "print server," which is something that I am trying to get away from with this USB server -- not needing to have a computer up just for another computer to print.

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11-16-2004 02:43 AM

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Markusx
Newbie

Registered: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 1

OS: Windows XP

KeySpan USB Server + Ximeta NetDisk

Hi , i'm new to this forum. Was looking for some answers to problems i've been encountering with the KeySpan USB server and my Ximeta NetDisk 160. I tried leaving several messages to KeySpan support but all I receive is an auto-response stating that they will respond back within 72 hours. That was back on 11/24/2004 and i've had several follow ups which none were responded to.

If i'd know there would be no support for this product I wouldn't have purchased it. Its one thing if there are compatibility issues, I can deal with that. But trying to get answers is like emailing to a brick wall. Is this company still in business? It's been a little over a month since they posted any new news on their website. I guess that is how bad it is. Just venting my frustration.

The problem is I have an Ximeta Netdisk on my home network and it works great, no complaints. Since then, i've purchased this KeySpan USB server and installed it onto the network. That's when the problems started happening. I keep getting the blue screen dump on all my XP workstations when trying to print to my HP LJ1300. It would also crash without printing and when i'm trying to access the NetDisk, so I ended up disabling the Keyspan and everything was happy again. If I remove the NetDisk totally (uninstall the software drivers), then the KeySpan works fine. I emailed KeySpan (5 times and 2 times to webmaster) no response, no luck. I emailed Ximeta, they got back to me in a day or so, and asked a few question like what version am I using and to try the latest version, which I had already done.

I will try emailing Ximeta with the problem again and see if they have had similar problems from other users and any work around. To be honest, I would not recommend this piece of KeySpan junk to anyone. I'll end up using it as a paperweight!

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12-15-2004 06:32 AM

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gadgetfreak98
Newbie

Registered: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 2

OS: Mac OSX 10.3.7, WinXP Home

Looking for some help!!!

I use the USB Server connected to my Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I have a Dell WinXP computer hooked in directly to the router and I have a Mac PowerBook which connects wirelessly. The only device hooked into my USB Server is a Brother printer/fax/copier.

The device worked great wirelessly at the start, allowing me to print from the PowerBook to the Brother. I could also use the scanning feature wireless. All was great!

But now here's the issue:

For some reason, I was no longer able to connect to the printer from the PowerBook. Oddly, it always showed that the printer was already in use by the very same PowerBook, although I clearly was not connected and could not print! If, however, I hooked the PowerBook directly into the router with a cable, I could connect to the printer perfectly well and printing was flawless.

What I realized is that the USB Server recognized the PowerBook as having the same IP address as the Linskys wireless router when it was connected wirelessly, but did see the PowerBook as having a unique IP address (the oone actually held by the PowerBook) when connected via an ethernet cable. I've tried manually adjusting the IP address and/or turning of DHCP, but it just wouldn't show the PowerBook as having a distinct IP when connected wirelessly.

Does anyone have any ideas? Both computers use the most recent beta version of the USB Server software, although this issue has existed for quite a few full and beta releases now. Very frustrating!!!

Thanks!

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12-20-2004 05:21 PM

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gadgetfreak98
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Registered: Dec 2004
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OS: Mac OSX 10.3.7, WinXP Home

Just a quick follow up... After trying everything else (including multiple useless calls to Keyspan "tech support") I decided to reflash my Linksys wireless router's firmware. I had been running the latest Satori firmware, hoping to eek out a bit more power than what Linksys' own firmware allows.

Clearly, it was the Satori firmware that caused the issue, since immediately following the "downgrade" to the latest Linksys firmware, everything with the Keyspan USB Server began to work just fine. I wish I had tried that a long time ago! Oh well, just glad to be up-and-running again. And the auto-connect feature in the latest beta is terrific.

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else had similar circumstances.

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01-03-2005 06:10 PM

lochgreen29
Newbie

Registered: Aug 2005
Location:
Posts: 1

OS: win xp

I am trying to connect a Lexmark X7170 multi function device to a Windows XP network via the keyspan USB server. I have got printing working from all PCs, but not scanning or faxing. (Scanning and faxing work when plugging the Lexmark directly into a PC). PC doesn't see the Lexmark (except for printing).
Can't find the Tested USB device list the manual talks about on their web site. (is Lexmark X7170 ok with the usb server?).
Have upgraded to firmware 1.3.1 - fw 318220 - and software to latest version too

I have tried to get the Keyspan techies to help for 5 weeks. They have not responded to mutliple messages. I am ready to send the unit back. This device looks great, but support is THE PITS!!!! These guys should be ashamed of themselves.

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08-13-2005 12:38 AM

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Milosz
Newbie

Registered: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 1

OS: WIN XP SP2

Using USB server with X10 USB controller

I am tryng to use this Keyspan USB Server with a SmartHome PowerLinc USB X10 interface (http://www.smarthome.com/1132U.html) - I can see the PowerLinc from the client software, and I can subscribe to it. However I can't connect my X10 control software (SmartHome Essential http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/11..._MAN_101804.pdf ) to the PowerLinc via the USB Server like I can via an actual USB connection. SmartHome tech support wasn't very helpful, they said, "It won't work" without explaining why.

Anybody got any ideas? What sorts of things prevent USB-enabled software from "seeing" the Keyspan client software as an actual USB connection? I wrote Keyspan's Tech Support, but they didn't reply.

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