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nikp123/printsir_guide.md

Created January 21, 2024 18:00
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How to set up an old Edimax PrintSir (PrintServer 10/100) from the 90s
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printsir_guide.md

First things first, the device looks something like this so you don't have to assume for which device this guide is for: image

This device was manufactured by Edimax in the 90s and it just so happens to work well with even ancient printers like the HP 5L. The real device's name is: PrintSir 1P/9E and it has a unique PS-something name. Do not google that as it unique per each unit (I think).

As this device is old I am assuming you found it either on Ebay, Flea Market or the local dump and want to make use of it. This is quite a problem because those can be password locked. Thankfully mine wasn't but it had some network settings I had to get rid of.

However this might not be your case and I'll list how you'd use it depending on what network settings the last owner left it on.

Firstly, before anything plug the device into power (it expects 7.5V DC (positive inner), but I found 6V DC works just fine). Secondly, find an ethernet cable (duh)

The possibilities in which the device was left in by the last owner:

DHCP happens to be enabled (lucky)

Just simply plug this into your network where DHCP is enabled and it should appear on TCP port 80. From there you'd have a web interface you can configure everything from. After that just add your printer in Windows using the TCP/IP device option and you should be set. Use your printer's driver ofc.

Mine: Static IP address

This is very tricky because it's IMPOSSIBLE to predict what IP range it's using, therefore we'd need to be either very lucky or smart to predict it.

Thankfully we don't have to do that as the device manufacturers probably added a failsafe in case of something like this.

Simply plug in the server into your laptops ethernet port and wait about 15-30 minutes (perhaps even longer). The device will attempt to make a connection, but because it fails to do so it will initiate it's own DHCP server. Watch for ipconfig (on Windows) or ip addr (on Linux) the device will connect your laptop to it's DHCP server.

Now it's a matter of scanning for port 80 (be sure to add a delay of 500ms, because this device is QUITE slow).

Once you discover the service on port 80, you'll run into an another issue. You seemingly cannot change ANY network settings. This is probably due to some incompatibility between 90s HTML and modern web browsers. I do however have a workaround.

  • Connect to the said configuration interface on port 80.

  • Do a "Factory Reset". It will ask you for login info. This may be a make or break situation.

  • Use the credentials (username: admin, password: blank)

If this succeeds, it will kick you off of it's DHCP server and restart. If you fail to provide correct credentials, it will ask you again. In the latter case, good luck guessing the credentials (RIP).

Anyway, assuming you succeeded to do a factory reset. You'll need to do the following:

  1. Test if the devices web interface is available again. You'll need to wait 15-30min again (sorry ;)). It should appear in the default IP range of 10.0.0.1/24.
  2. Once logged into the device's configuration panel, TAKE NOTE OF IT'S MAC ADDRESS. This is critical.
  3. Get a Linux machine/VM or WSL (I don't care just as long its a UNIX shell) that's connected to your network.
  4. Plug the device into your main network. (here's where the real magic starts)
  5. Assign the device's IP address using the following command arp -s YOUR_DESIRED_IPV4_IP YOUR_MAC_ADDRESS_THAT_YOU_JUST_TOOK_NOTE_OF_SEPARATED_BY_COLONS. You NEED ROOT for this. Example sudo arp -s 192.168.0.43 00:00:B4:4A:18:CE
  6. Verify you can ping said IP address. You can't test via the web interface because it ceases to exist.
  7. Now, get a Win 95/98/ME/2000/XP machine or VM (WITH BRIDGE NETWOKRING ENABLED) that's connected to your main network.
  8. Boot into said VM/Computer.
  9. Verify you can ping said IP.
  10. Install this
  11. It SHOULD be able to find the PrintSir.
  12. Once installed, you can click on the newly created "PrintServer Configuration" and launch it.
  13. Once you get in, press the search icon. image
  14. It should appear here image
  15. Configure your desired network settings.
  16. Open whatever OS you have and add it as a "TCP/IP Device". Use your printer's driver ofc.

Configure your desired network settings. If you did so: Congrats, you have a working PrintSir :DDDDDDD

In case you get stuck, here's a PDF

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