ethernet basics
The printer's built-in ethernet feature allows you to connect the printer directly to a
10/100 Base-
T
ethernet network without the aid of an external print server.
hardware
hubs and routers
On an ethernet network, computers and the printer are each connected to a
hub
or a
router
.
an example of an ethernet network
Hubs and routers may look similar, but there is one important difference.
Hubs are passive-other devices on the network plug into the hub in order to communicate with
one another. The hub does not manage the network.
Routers are active. Routers have network administration tools, such as
firewalls
and
DHCP
. A
router can act as a
gateway
, while a hub cannot.
cables
Use an unshielded CAT-5 ethernet cable to connect the printer to an ethernet network. Ethernet
cables have an RJ-45 plug.
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ethernet basics
rj-45 plug
To prevent damaging the printer, do not use a phone
cord to connect the printer to an ethernet network,
and do not connect the printer to a phone jack.
network communication
TCP/IP
Devices on a network communicate with one another using a "language" called a
protocol
. The
printer is designed to operate on networks that use a popular protocol called
TCP/IP
.
IP address
Each device on a network identifies itself with a unique
IP address
. Most networks use
DHCP
or
AutoIP
to automatically assign IP addresses.
internet connections
Ethernet networks may or may not be connected to the Internet.
If you place the printer on an ethernet connected to the Internet, it is recommended that you
use a
gateway
so that the printer's
IP address
is assigned through
DHCP
.
A gateway can either be a
router
or a Windows computer running
Internet Connection Sharing
(ICS)
. For more information about ICS, see the documentation that came with the Windows
computer.
examples of ethernet networks
These are some common ethernet network configurations:
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shared internet connection with a router acting as a gateway
In this example, a
router
manages the network connections and acts as a
gateway
between the
network and the Internet.
shared internet connection with a PC acting as a gateway
In this example, the network devices are connected to a
hub
. A computer on the network acts as
the
gateway
between the network and the Internet. The gateway computer uses
Windows
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
to manage the network connections and provide Internet
access to the other devices.
DSL or cable internet connection without a gateway
This example looks similar to the first example. However, in this example, the network devices
are connected to a
hub
, rather than a
router
. The hub is directly connected to the Internet.
Caution!
HP does not recommend this configuration. If possible, use a gateway to
manage your network's Internet access in order to limit exposure to viruses and guard
against unwanted entry.
ethernet network without an internet connection
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In this example, the network devices are connected to a
hub
. Devices use
AutoIP
to obtain
IP
addresses
.
using the printer on an ethernet network
Computers on the network send print jobs directly to the printer, which prints them in the order
received.
printer's ethernet capacity
The printer can accept print jobs sent simultaneously from four users.
For example, if five users each send a print job to the printer at the same time, the printer
accepts four of the print jobs and rejects the fifth. The user who sent the fifth print job should
wait a few minutes and then resend the print job.
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connecting the printer to an ethernet network