HP DesignJet ColorPro - Network Guide

Network Printing Overview
HP DesignJet ColorPro Series Network Guide 4
Network Printing Overview
A network is a system of computers and other equipment set up for sharing files,
data and other resources such as printers and scanners. A LAN, or a local area
network, in its smallest form may consist of two computers that can communicate
with each other. A larger LAN may connect members of a workgroup, such as
an accounting department where users have similar requirements for sharing data
and resources.
The HP DesignJet ColorPro Series printer may be shared on a network. It can
be connected directly to a network using an HP JetDirect print server, or it can
be attached to a PC that is connected on a network.
Supported Network Printer Connections
The HP DesignJet ColorPro Series printer supports the following network printer
connections:
• HP JetDirect Print Server
• PC parallel port.
Printing through an HP JetDirect Print Server
In this configuration, the printer connects to the network via an HP JetDirect
print server. This configuration provides better performance and flexibility in
preparing a location for the printer. The HP DesignJet ColorPro GA printer
comes with an internal HP JetDirect Print Server (part number J4100A). It is
therefore recommended that the printer be shared on a network through the print
server.
Using the HP JetDirect print server, there are two basic network configurations:
Client-Server printing and Peer-to-Peer printing.
Client-Server printing is typically used in medium to large networks where
dedicated computer servers are used to manage printing needs of many users.
Client-server networks use network operating systems (NOS) such as Novell
NetWare and Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0.
Peer-to-Peer printing is more suitable for smaller networks. On peer-to-peer
networks, users configure their Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0
systems to print directly to the printer.