How do you network a printer?

[ng_reader]

Sort of new to networking, although I know somethings.

I just stuck a working JetDirect NIC into my LaserJet 4, and uploaded to it
a more recent firmware, so I know it's networked.

Now how in bloody hell to I print to it?

(One machine is WinME, another is XP Pro, and yet a 3rd is XP home)

 

[bobb]

Sort of new to networking, although I know somethings.

I just stuck a working JetDirect NIC into my LaserJet 4, and uploaded to it
a more recent firmware, so I know it's networked.

Now how in bloody hell to I print to it?

(One machine is WinME, another is XP Pro, and yet a 3rd is XP home)

With just about any hardware, comes a software CD, stick that into
each machine, run setup.exe. Pretty basic.








---------------
If your business is looking for quick free consulting,
please ignore my replies. I only wish to reply to other
engineers/administrators and home users who are stuck
and not interested to give your business free consulting.

Thank you.

 

[ng_reader]

With just about any hardware, comes a software CD, stick that into
each machine, run setup.exe. Pretty basic.

provided one has said CD. But, buying used, doesn't always allow.

 

[bryce]

what you need to do is find out the IP address that it is communicating
with on your network. You should be able to accomplish this by
printing out a configuration sheet on the printer. Typically the
jetdirect cards will attempt to get address from DHCP server.

Once you have this in had you can setup the printer on one of you
workstations (recommend the WXP Pro one). to do this you will choose
add printer. It will be local printer (choose not to auto detect. You
will this add a port (Standard TCP/IP). input IP address of printer.
Next select the appropriate type (add drivers for printer if not
listed) of printer and finish.

Next you will need to share out printer for other computers. Right
click on newly created printer and choose sharing. Select to share
printer and give a name (recommend you not exceed 8 characters).

Last to connect other computers to this printer you will need to run
the add printer wizard and select network printer. printer address
will be \\computername\printer share name. Computer name is the name
of the Windows XP pro computer. Printer share name is the share you
gave the printer ealier. Then finish out the wizard

Good Luck.

 

[Kevin]

also a good idea to set the printer to a static IP address as anytime the
printer is restarted it might not get the same IP from dhcp and would
obviously no longer print.

 

[ng_reader]

very cool. like a charm.

the 64k question, what if the \\computername\ is turned off or unavailable?
Will all work?

Basically I have the printer connected directly to the wireless
router/switch. That is connected to you (the Internet) via a cable modem,
and the rest of the devices either through Cat5 patch cable (1 pc) or 802.1b
(2 pcs).

One of the 802.1b PCs is a notebook, and, as captioned, running XP Pro and
UNC path to my printer.

(as for other poster, yes, I telnetted into printer and setup IP which it is
seeming to keep)

Much obliged, and just a little surprised.

 

[bobb]

provided one has said CD. But, buying used, doesn't always allow.

Just bout all hardware manufacturer provide the software on their
website, and certainly HP does. This is the ez way to do it and the
software will run a wizard. U can also do it the hard way by knowing
the address, blah-blah as suggested by third poster.







---------------
If your business is looking for quick free consulting,
please ignore my replies. I only wish to reply to other
engineers/administrators and home users who are stuck
and not interested to give your business free consulting.

Thank you.

 

[ng_reader]

To me, HP is a big weird company. Can't hate them, but not sure I can love
them either.

All my surfing, never did find any JetDirect software. But I did find a tool
upgrade the firmware (done), and I did download drivers for the LJ4 so I
could install it on my XP Pro.

But, if there is a package called JetDirect software that I can download, I
never found it.

It's not needed now, anyhow, I don't think.

 

[bobb]

To me, HP is a big weird company. Can't hate them, but not sure I can love
them either.

All my surfing, never did find any JetDirect software. But I did find a tool
upgrade the firmware (done), and I did download drivers for the LJ4 so I
could install it on my XP Pro.

But, if there is a package called JetDirect software that I can download, I
never found it.

It's not needed now, anyhow, I don't think.

Support websites are put together by engineers and low level "helpers"
who LITERALLY put in what the engineers tell him/her. Find the
precise part number of the JetDirect product in question. Look for PN
label, search that on HP.com and u whould come up with what u need
rather quickly. *If* u still need it.






---------------
If your business is looking for quick free consulting,
please ignore my replies. I only wish to reply to other
engineers/administrators and home users who are stuck
and not interested to give your business free consulting.

Thank you.

 

[Jody Cantello]

You will need to do a search for WebJet Admin. They no longer offer the
JetDirect Wizard that is found on older CDs. WebJet Admin locates and
administers any HP jetdirect interface through a web interface.

The install file that I found is named wja75-2546-xp-en.exe I am not sure
if they have a more recent version out or not.

Jody C.

 

[ng_reader]

Thanks Jody, I'll check it out.

Does anyone know the answer to my XP Pro in the UNC path question?

Awww heck, I'll just turn it off and see if works, that's all.

 

[Jody Cantello]

Once you use the WebJet software to set the IP address of printer you do not
need to worry about the UNC path. When you go to install the printer choose
local printer and then create a "Standard TCP/IP" port and type in the IP
address. Setting the printer up this way will send the print jobs straight
to the printer through the network and not through a PC so you will not have
to worry about keeping a PC on at all times to serve the print jobs.

Using the UNC path is used when the printer is physically connected to a PC
via LPT1 or USB. It is also used when you have multiple network printers
installed as local printers(using the above method) and then share them so
users just need to point to a printserver that shares all the printers
instead of having to know each of the IP addresses.

With 3 PCs it is best to just install as a local printer on each PC instead
of dedicating one as a printer server.

Jody C.

 

[ng_reader]

Thanks Jody C.

I haven't tried it yet, but I believe you.

After all this, I have to out and get another wireless router, as my NetGear
is somewhat problematic, I fear. It was, however, worth all the $10 (US)
that I spent on it.

Have a nice week-end.

Ted