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Using BOOTP/TFTP
BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) provides a convenient way to automatically configure the
printer for TCP/IP network operation. When powered on, printer sends a BOOTP request
message onto the network. A properly configured BOOTP server on the network will respond
with a message that contains basic network configuration data for printer. The BOOTP
server’s response may also identify a file that contains extended configuration data for the
print server. The TFTP protocol (which is not a supported feature for this printer) is required
to download this. Thus, the TFTP configuration file that may be located on the BOOTP
server, or a separate TFTP server will be ignored. BOOTP servers are typically UNIX or
Linux systems. Windows NT/2000/XP and NetWare servers can respond to BOOTP
requests. Windows NT/2000/XP servers are configured through Microsoft DHCP services.
For setup of NetWare BOOTP servers, refer to your NetWare documentation.
NOTE
If the printer and the BOOTP/DHCP server are located on different subnets, IP configuration
may fail unless the routing device supports “BOOTP Relay” (allows the transfer of BOOTP
requests between subnets).
Why Use BOOTP?
Using BOOTP to download configuration data has the following benefits:
● Enhanced configuration control of the printer. Configuration by other methods, such as a
printer control panel, are limited to select parameters.
● Ease of configuration management. Network configuration parameters for the entire
network can be in one location.
● Ease of printer configuration. Complete network configuration can be automatically
downloaded each time the print server is powered on.
NOTE
BOOTP operation is similar to DHCP, but the resulting IP parameters will be the same when
powered off/on. In DHCP, IP configuration parameters are leased and may change over
time. When in its factory-default state and powered on, the printer will attempt to
automatically configure itself using several dynamic methods, one of which is BOOTP.
BOOTP on UNIX
This section describes how to configure the print server using BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol)
services on UNIX servers. BOOTP is used to download network configuration data from a
server to the printer over the network.
Systems That Use Network Information Service (NIS)
If your system uses NIS, you may need to rebuild the NIS map with the BOOTP service
before performing the BOOTP configuration steps. Refer to your system documentation.
ENWW Using BOOTP/TFTP 29