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Printing: Networking a Printer

Connect the printer to a live network jack and print a Configuration Page from the printer's console following the instructions in the manual for your model printer. Find the printer's LAN hardware address (network address, ethernet address, MAC address) in order to register it on the network. (For an external print server, the LAN hardware address should be printed on a label on the bottom of the box.)

New DHCP System

  1. Register your printer with the Network Registration tool. 

  2. Make note of the DNS entry to set up your printer.

If you do not wish to use the assigned DNS, request a DNS:

  1. Search for the host within the Network Registration tool.

  2. Check the box next to the entry. Click Request DNS.

Old DHCP System

  1. Log into AskIT and submit a request for help. Enter the subject as Network and request a DHCP entry for the printer. Include the following information:

    • Subnet number of the building

    • Client's name (first name, last name)

    • Four letter acronym for department (example: UITS)

    • Four letter abbreviation for building (example: ADSB)

    • Room number where computer is located

    • MAC address or Ethernet ID (Example: 00-00-C5-59-8D-49)
      For information on finding your MAC Address or Ethernet ID, see the Network: MAC Addresses Tech Article.

  2. Make note of the IP address when you receive confirmation that your DHCP entry has been made in order to request a domain name (DNS) for the printer. For information on finding your IP address, see the Network: IP Addresses Tech Article.

  3. Log into the Domain Name Registration Request to request a DNS name for the printer. A domain name is an easy to recognize address for your computer on the Internet. Some programs use domain names to identify different computers on the network and require that a domain name be associated with your computer.

When you have received confirmation that the requested DNS for your printer has been approved, set up your printer.

Printing to a Network Printer

Windows 7

  1. Obtain the domain name of the networked printer.

  2. Click Start, Devices, and Printers.

  3. Click Add a Printer at the top of the window.

  4. Click "Add a Local Printer."

  5. Select "Create a new port." Select "Standard TCP/IP Port" from the dropdown menu. Click Next.

  6. In the "Hostname or IP Address" field, enter the printer's domain name. Leave the "Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use" box checked. Click Next. The appropriate printer driver will be installed. (If the driver is not installed, select the appropriate printer driver.) Click Next.

  7. In the "Printer name" dialog box, enter a name for the printer or accept the default name provided. Click Next.

  8. (Optional) Click the "Set as the default printer" check box.

  9. Click Finish.

Windows Vista

  1. Obtain the domain name of the networked printer.

  2. Click Start, Control Panel, Printers.

  3. Click the Add a Printer link at the top of the window.

  4. Click "Add a Local Printer."

  5. Select "Create a new port." Select "Standard TCP/IP Port" from the dropdown menu. Click Next.

  6. In the "Hostname or IP Address" field, enter the printer's domain name. Leave the "Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use" box checked. Click Next. The appropriate printer driver will be installed.

  7. The "Type a printer name" dialog box will now be displayed. Enter a name for the printer or accept the default name provided.

  8. (Optional) Click the "Set as the default printer" check box.

  9. Click Next. Click Finish.

Windows XP

  1. Obtain the domain name, make, and model of the networked printer.

  2. Click Start, Settings, Printers and Faxes.

  3. Click Add a Printer. Click Next in the "Welcome to the Add Printer Wizard" dialog box.

  4. Select the Local Printer option and uncheck the "Automatically Detect and Install My Plug and Play Printer" box. Click Next.

  5. Select "Create a new port," and choose "Standard TCP/IP Port" from the dropdown menu. Click Next.

  6. Click Next on the "Welcome to the Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard" dialog.

  7. In the "Printer Name or IP Address" field of the Add Port dialog box, enter the printer's domain name.

  8. Click Next. Click Finish.

  9. In the Add Printer Wizard, choose the make and model of your printer and install the appropriate printer driver.

Mac

  1. Obtain the domain name, make, and model of the networked printer.

  2. Go to Applications, Utilities.

  3. Launch the "OS X Printer Setup Utility" application.

  4. Click Add. Click the IP Printer icon.

  5. Open the Protocol dropdown menu and select "Line Printer Daemon - LPD."

  6. In the Address field, enter the domain name of the printer. OS X will search for the printer.

  7. If located by OS X, the printer will appear in the Print Using dropdown menu. If the printer is not found, open the Print Using dropdown menu for a list of available printers. Select the printer and model you wish to install from the list.
    Note: If the printer model is not available in the list, install the printer's drivers on your Mac OS X volume from CD, or download the drivers from the vendor's website.

  8. Click Add. Select from the printer options if provided (or accept the defaults).

  9. Click Continue.

Last Reviewed:

Comments

FNU Anindya Ambuj

03/15/2012
12:15 am

There does not seem to be a Linux option above. Thus this process should help any one in a Linux or Unix OS to be able to set up a Network Printer. Hope this helps.

On unix(this includes Mac OS) or linux:

1.Open Browser(any one: firefox, chrome, safari, iceweasel, etc.). 2.type in "localhost:631", without quotes in the address bar.

This should bring up CUPS, there are more printing options for an advanced user from here. ^_^