![background image](https://i.inkjetdoc.com/HP Deskjet 6988 Printer/en/HP Deskjet 6988 Printer_en049.png)
Ethernet basics
The printer's built-in Ethernet feature allows you to connect the printer directly to a
10/100
Base-T
Ethernet network without the aid of an external print server.
To install the printer on an Ethernet network, follow the
Ethernet installation instructions
.
Hardware
Hubs, switches, and routers
On an Ethernet network, devices, such as computers and printers, are each connected
to a network
hub
,
switch
, or
router
.
User's guide
47
![background image](https://i.inkjetdoc.com/HP Deskjet 6988 Printer/en/HP Deskjet 6988 Printer_en050.png)
Hubs, switches, and routers can look similar, but there are important differences:
●
Hubs are passive. Other devices on the network plug into the hub in order to
communicate with one another. A hub does not manage the network.
●
A switch allows devices on a network to communicate directly with one another in a
smooth and efficient manner. A switch monitors and directs network traffic in order
to allow each transmission the most possible bandwidth. By monitoring network
traffic, a switch minimizes collisions and maximizes speed.
●
Routers primarily connect different networks (for example, connecting a home
network to the Internet). Routers are active. Routers have network administration
tools, such as
firewalls
and
DHCP
. A router can act as a
gateway
, while a hub and
a switch cannot.
Cables
Use a CAT-5 Ethernet cable to connect the printer to an Ethernet network. Ethernet
cables have an RJ-45 plug.
1 RJ-45 plug
Network communication
TCP/IP
Devices on a network communicate with one another using a "language" called a
protocol
. The printer is designed to operate on networks that use a popular protocol called
TCP/IP
.
IP address
Each device on a network identifies itself with a unique IP address. Most networks use
a software tool, such as
DHCP
or
AutoIP
, to automatically assign IP addresses.
Internet connections
Networks might not be connected to the Internet.
If you place the printer on a network connected to the Internet, it is recommended that
you use a
gateway
so that the printer's
IP address
is assigned through
DHCP
.
A gateway can either be a
router
or a Windows computer running
Internet Connection
Sharing (ICS)
. For more information about ICS, see the documentation that came with
the Windows computer.
Ethernet network examples
To see some examples of Ethernet networks, see the
Ethernet network examples
page.
Chapter 4
48
HP Deskjet 6980 series
![background image](https://i.inkjetdoc.com/HP Deskjet 6988 Printer/en/HP Deskjet 6988 Printer_en051.png)
Printing
Computers on the network send print jobs directly to the printer, which prints them in the
order received.
The printer can accept print jobs sent simultaneously from four users.
For example, if five users each send a print job to the printer at the same time, the printer
accepts four of the print jobs and rejects the fifth. The user who sent the fifth print job
should wait a few minutes and then resend the print job.