Installing an HP LaserJet/JetDirect Printer

Into a Netware NDS Environment

 

 

Summary: As of this date the HP JetDirect network card does not fully support the NDS tree structure. That is not to say that it does not work, but the full functionality of NDS is not available to the printer. After many attempts (and subsequent failures) I have a set of steps for setting up such a printer.

Requirements:

-Admin rights on the Netware Server (4.x)

-Novell Netware NDS client installed (preferrably on Win 95/98)

-HP JetAdmin installed

 
  1. Make sure the jetdirect card is installed and then print out the configuration to get the MAC address.
  2. Login as Admin and start up NWADMIN.
  3. Select the container object/context and then create a Print Queue. Name the print queue something memorable, select the volume for the queue, click on additional properties. Add/change users as needed. Hit OK to save it.
  4. Create a Printer in the same context. Name it something related to the print queue (not the same name) and click on additional properties. Click on create. Click on assignments, add the queue from step 3. Click OK.
  5. Create a Print Server in the same context using a similar (but not the same) name. Name it and then click on additional properties. Click on assignments and then add the created printer from step 4. Click on OK.
  6. Get the properties of the print queue created in setup 3. Click on the assignments tab. Both the printer and the printer server should be visible.
  7. Fire up JetAdmin and right click on the printer you want to configure as identified by its MAC addresss. Select modify.
  8. Under PrintServer name put in the exact name that you defined in step 5. Click on next. Select the print queue under the NDS tree as defined in setup 3. MAKE SURE THAT ONLY THE NDS queue is there, not the bindery version (there should only be one queue at this time.) Click on next until you get to the Finish button. Click on finish and save the data to the printer.
  9. Hit F5 to refresh the printer listing in jetadmin. The printers name will have been changed to that defined in step 5. Once you see the printer, right click and get properties. Then go to diagnostics tab and click on novell connections. The print server should now be connected to the server and will appear under that server via the network neighborhood (it automatically creates a bindery equivalent for non NDS clients). You should now be able to print.