Dear Mac users,
Is there anyone who would be prepared to take me through the procedure of connecting a Hewlard Packard LaserJet printer via ethernet (cable).
I was told how easy it was , by a IT person , although I found it too difficult to follow and I'm unsure where to begin.
I have a four port switch to connect the printer but the addressing of the printer with a IP address is more then I can handle!!
I have two mac's connected to the one ADSL modem via the four port switch and I was hoping to connect the laser printer into the system.
What are my chances,and is there any patient people able to support a poor lost soul?
kind regards
mulquemi

Any PC's on your network?

Thanks

Dear Meh 626,
All mac's although ocasionally a PC might log on at times via ethernet only.
And OS is 10.4.11 on both mac's ( occasional use PC is XP home).
No wireless radio wave in this household ,wires only.
mulquemi

what sort of laserjet is it? By default it should try and get it's IP address automatically via DHCP. You should be able to print a test page that tells you what IP address the printer has, and then set up your router to assign that address to the printer permanently.
- Berwyck

Does your modem have a web-based management module? D-Link routers and modems have them. The address looks something like this: If your unsure check your modem's manual.

Thanks
Meh 626

I assign the fixed address via the control panel on the printer case itself.
It's usually via the printer setup / configuration menu on the printer.
Instead of address by DHCP select manual or fixed, and enter a valid IP for your network eg, 10.0.1.100 or 192.168.0.100 depending on how the router is set up.

If the printer doesn't have a fixed or static IP address (IP assigned by the DHCP server on the router) and it's set up as an IP printer (LPD or JetDirect in the Apple Printer Setup Utility) then if your router is powered down and restarted it may not receive the same address, and the computers will be unable to communicate with it.

If the printer is Bonjour capable (it should show up in the default browser pane) and it is set up using that protocol then it doesn't need a fixed IP.

Dear Mac users,
Thank you one and all for the very detailed information,I will see how things go ,based on how I interpret your very helpful support.
I have this great laser printer from the school I work at although no manual or operational instructions(could get some from the net).
The acronym's offered are are most unfamiliar and likely to take me a bit to wade through so I'll just plug it all in and see what eventuates.
Thanks
mulquemi

Good Luck!