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Configuring the BOOTP Server
For the printer to obtain its configuration data over the network, the BOOTP server must be
set up with the appropriate configuration files. BOOTP is used by the print server to obtain
entries in the /etc/bootptab file on a BOOTP server. When the printer is powered on, it
broadcasts a BOOTP request that contains its MAC (hardware) address. A BOOTP server
daemon searches the /etc/bootptab file for a matching MAC address, and if successful,
sends the corresponding configuration data to the printer as a BOOTP reply. The
configuration data in the /etc/bootptab file must be properly entered. The BOOTP reply may
contain the name of a configuration file containing optional enhanced configuration
parameters. Again, this file will be ignored by the printer.
NOTE
HP recommends that the BOOTP server be located on the same subnet as the printers it
serves.
NOTE
BOOTP broadcast packets may not be forwarded by routers unless the routers are properly
configured.
Bootptab File Entries
An example of a /etc/bootptab file entry for a networked printer is shown below. Note that the
configuration data contains tags to identify the various printer parameters and their settings.
Entries and tags supported are listed in the
Tags Supported in a BOOTP/DHCP Boot file
table.
picasso:\
:hn:\
:ht=ether:\
:vm=rfc1048:\
:ha=0001E6123456:\
:ip=192.168.40.39:\
:sm=255.255.255.0:\
:gw=192.168.40.1:\
:lg=192.168.40.3:\
:T144=“hpnp/picasso.cfg”:
Tags Supported in a BOOTP/DHCP Boot file
Option Description
Nodename The name of the peripheral. This name identifies
an entry point to a list of parameters for a
specific peripheral. Nodename must be the first
field in an entry. (In the example above,
nodename is “picasso”.)
ht The hardware type tag. For the printer, set this to
ether for Ethernet. This tag must precede the ha
tag.
vm The BOOTP report format tag (required). Set this
parameter to rfc1048.
30 Chapter 3 Networking ENWW