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The advantage of server-based configuration is that it provides centralized administration. You can configure a number of printers from a central location. The disadvantage is that if the server is down, the printer does not appear on the network after a reset or power cycle, because the printer gets its boot information from a boot server and does not retain it in non-volatile memory.
You store the printer's configuration information in a configuration file such as an ethers or bootptab file on a boot server. On power-up, the printer issues RARP and BOOTP requests and receives the configuration information from the server in the RARP or BOOTP response.
The RARP and BOOTP responses contain only network address information. After the printer has its address information, you can set other TCP/IP parameters by either of two methods:
Send PostScript files to the printer using your host spooler. UNIX shell scripts for creating the PostScript files are provided with your printer's network utilities software. For PC environments, the PostScript files for setting other TCP/IP parameters are included with your printer's network utilities software.
Note: The printer's BOOTP and RARP implementations do not support booting across a router. The BOOTP or RARP server (host) and client (printer) must be connected to the same Token Ring or Ethernet segment, or to segments interconnected only by repeaters and/or bridges. However, with certain hosts (such as OS/2) on Token Ring networks, the server and the client must be on the same Token Ring. Furthermore, the printer's BOOTP and RARP implementations do not support booting between Token Ring and Ethernet segments.
Make sure that the printer is connected to the network.
Turn on the printer. At power up, the printer issues RARP and BOOTP requests and receives the configuration information from the host in the RARP or BOOTP response.
