Network Antennas, Print Servers and Add-Ons

Start with the job, not the product type

This aisle collects add-ons rather than core gear, so the first decision is which problem you are solving. Antennas and wireless bridges extend or aim a Wi-Fi signal. Device servers and print servers put serial and USB equipment onto the network. Cables carry the traffic, streaming players consume it, and surge protection with battery backup keeps everything alive through power trouble. Pick the job first, then open the matching sub-category, such as Wi-Fi antennas and wireless bridges for coverage or serial and USB device servers for older equipment.

Connectors, protocols and age: where add-ons fail

Add-ons rarely fail because they are poor; they fail because one connector or standard does not match. Print servers differ in whether they plug into USB 2.0 or an old parallel port, and many older units speak only 10/100 Ethernet or 802.11b/g wireless. Antennas are rated in dBi gain and must suit the radio band and the connector on your router or card. Device servers list the serial standards they support. Read the interface and supported-systems lines on each listing, and check cable connector types and gender before you buy.

Questions about Network Antennas, Print Servers and Add-Ons

What does dBi mean on an antenna?

dBi is gain measured against an ideal antenna that radiates equally in every direction. A higher figure squeezes the signal into a narrower beam, which reaches further along that direction but covers less area above and below, so it suits a long link better than a small flat.

Will an older print server work with a current computer?

Often, but check the listing. Many units name only older Windows versions or legacy protocols. A server that offers standard TCP/IP printing can usually be added as a network printer port even without a modern driver, though scanning on multifunction printers may not work through it.

Do I need surge protection or a battery backup for network gear?

A surge protector guards against voltage spikes but cannot help when power fails. A battery backup keeps a modem, router and switch running through short outages and allows a clean shutdown for longer ones. Network gear draws little power, so even a small unit gives a useful runtime.