Configure the BOOTP server

For the HP Jetdirect print server to obtain its configuration data over the network, the BOOTP/TFTP servers must have the appropriate configuration files. The print server uses BOOTP to obtain entries in the /etc/bootptab file on a BOOTP server. It uses TFTP to obtain additional configuration information from a configuration file on a TFTP server.

When the HP Jetdirect print server is turned 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 HP Jetdirect print server as a BOOTP reply. The configuration data in the /etc/bootptab file must be correct. For a description of entries, see Bootptab file entries (IPv4).

The BOOTP reply can contain the name of a configuration file that stores enhanced configuration parameters. If the HP Jetdirect print server finds such a file, it uses TFTP to download the file and configure itself using the parameters. For a description of the entries, see TFTP configuration file entries (IPv4). Configuration parameters retrieved through TFTP are optional.

	NOTE:	HP recommends that the BOOTP server be located on the same subnet as the printers it serves. Routers that are incorrectly configured might not forward BOOTP broadcast packets.