1. Registering and getting an IP address for your printer
Last revision September 14, 2010
After verifying that you have an active network jack to use for the printer, the first step in connecting a new printer to the Earth Sciences network is to register it, just like a computer. You will need to pick a printer name that contains no spaces or special characters. You will need the printer's ethernet hardware address, which is usually printed on a test or configuration page.
Registering your printer will reserve an IP address for it. In most cases, the printer will automatically pick up its correct IP address (via the DHCP or bootp protocols) the next time it is power-cycled after the registration is completed. In some cases, the address must be set manually using a utility program. If you have problems determining the ethernet hardware address or setting the IP address, enter a request in the HelpSU system for help from our desktop support consultant, using the web form at
WARNING: Do not connect your printer to the network until you have received a confirmation from the network managers that it has been properly registered. Some printers, especially older HP LaserJets with JetDirect cards, will monitor network traffic to determine the IP address range in use, and then pick an address in that range at random if one is not assigned to them. About two-thirds of the possible IP addresses on our Earth Sciences network are already assigned. The odds are high that your unregistered printer will pick an address that is already in use, thereby interfering with or preventing network access to the legitimate owner of that IP address. The owners of that computer, and the network manager who has to track down the offending device, will not look favorably upon this behavior.
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