HP Jetdirect Print Servers and Software

Since it’s beginnings in a Palo Alto garage in 1939, Hewlett Packard (HP) has since been known as a leading force and pioneer in the technology industry. With the creation of the Jetdirect Print Servers and Software line, HP continues to focus on creating realistic print networking solutions for all types of customers from a single family to large corporations. This article will provide a brief overview of the Jetdirect line of products and software to help you pick the right solution to your printing needs.

HP prides itself on creating products that are compatible with most others in the industry. Their Jetdirect products are no different – they are created to be compatible with the a wide range of laser, inkjet, and digital imaging products.

To begin finding the right solution for your business, HP offers three types of firmware features - basic, value, or full feature.

The basic feature contains:

• good performance
• easy set-up
• limited security features
• not Jetdirect branded
• supports limited number of users, network operating systems, protocols, and security features
• does not include upgradeable firmware

This option is optimal for single individuals or the micro-business (a business with less than 10 employees) environment.

The value feature set provides:

• good performance
• expanded support for network operating systems and protocols
• basic management and security features
• does not include upgradeable firmware

This option is ideal for the small to mid-sized business environment

The full feature set provides:

• high performance
• advanced security features
• support for a broad range of network operating systems and protocols
• enterprise management
• upgradeable firmware

This solution is best for peripherals in managed enterprise environments.

The next step is to decide on the kind of hardware technology. HP offers internal print server, external print servers, wireless print servers.

Internal print servers offer:

• connect through an EIO slot for EIO-enabled printers
• solutions for compatibility with IPv4 and IPv6
• advanced security includes IPSEC, 802.1x authentication, password protection, and SNMPv3
• manage with Jetadmin software

External print servers offer:

• connect through USB port or parallel port
• supported by most network ready HP printers and multifunctional products

The number of external print server options that HP has makes it a good solution for either a company setting or a home environment, or Microsoft and Apple Ethernet network environments.

Wireless print server:
HP offers two wireless print server solutions. One is an actual wireless server (HP Jetdirect ew2400 802.11g Wireless Print Server) that works across your wireless network or Fast Ethernet network. It can be set up wireless or wired depending on your preference. It is Wi-Fi certified and compatible with 8-2.11b/g wireless networks and supports both Microsoft and Apple network operating systems.

The second solution that HP offers is a print and PC adapter, the HP bt450 Bluetooth Wireless Print and PC Adapter. A small, portable device, it is works by using Bluetooth technology – you plug it into Bluetooth-enabled handheld device via USB port (whether that’s your camera phone, PDA or other device) and send the documents to print.

Software:
Available for use with the HP Jetdirect line of print servers is a complete line of software (many of them free) that will help you optimize your printing environment whether that means providing the capability to print to any printer in the world or tracking print jobs. Listed below are short overviews of each software product.

HP Web Jetadmin – HP Web Jetadmin is a web-based management product that allows you to configure the server to achieve optimal usage and performance, control and reduce printing costs, and remotely administer it for configuration needs, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Free download from the HP website.

HP Web Jetadmin Plug-in 3.1 – HP Web Jetadmin Plug-in 3.1 provides reporting and tracking to achieve the ideal printing environment. Free download from the HP website.

HP Easy Printer Care Software – HP Easy Printer Care Software helps monitor printer functionality (up to 15 printers) allowing you to effectively manage the printing environment, including optimizing individual printers from your desk and generate simple usage reports. Free download from the HP website.

HP Universal Print Driver Series for Windows – HP Universal Print Driver Series for Windows, a free download available on the HP website, eliminates individual print drivers and streamlines the office's print drivers. Cancel out the need to test each individual driver, get real-time status reports that help solve basic print problems, and control color ink usage.

HP Managed Printing Administration Software – This free download, available on the HP website, will help organize the printing environment so that it becomes an effective printing environment. Direct users with similar printing needs to certain printers, customize printer capabilities to cater to each groups’ needs, know the status of print jobs and usage with real-time status reports, and more!

Capella Tech Mega Track Job Accounting – To purchase this tracking and reporting software, please contact an HP sales representative.

HP Internet Printer Software WinNT/2000 – Working in conjunction with the HP Jetdirect print server, this innovative software will allow you to print documents to any accessible printer in the world. NOTE: To make the printer available on the internet, it needs an Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) enabled HP Jetdirect print server. Free download available on the HP website.

HP Mobile Print Driver for Windows – Enable mobile printing with this free download from the HP website. Print remotely from locations such as your home, satellite office, or the conference room down the hall.

HP provides consumers with an array of print server solutions and software, reinforcing their status as a leader in print technology. Their products allow any sized organizations to make their print environments more user-friendly and cost efficient. Their simplified solutions make it possible for the IT staff and other employees to focus on more important issues and improving productivity, which translates higher gains for your company.