JetDirect

JetDirect. A pioneering family of network print server hardware and associated software developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP). Introduced in the early 1990s, these devices allowed printers to be connected directly to a local area network (LAN) rather than to an individual computer, becoming a de facto industry standard. Its widespread adoption fundamentally changed office printing architecture, enabling efficient shared printing in client–server model environments and solidifying HP's dominance in the business printer market throughout the decade.

Overview

The JetDirect product line emerged as LAN technology, particularly Ethernet and Token Ring, proliferated in corporate and educational settings. Prior to its introduction, sharing a printer typically required connecting it to a dedicated print server computer or using slower, less reliable solutions like parallel port switches. By embedding a network interface and basic server software directly into an external box or an internal expansion card, JetDirect allowed almost any Hewlett-Packard printer, and later many from other manufacturers, to become a standalone network node. This innovation provided a more robust, manageable, and higher-performance solution for workgroups, seamlessly integrating with major network operating systems like Novell NetWare, Microsoft Windows NT, and IBM's LAN Server.

Hardware

Early JetDirect models were external devices that connected to a printer's parallel port (IEEE 1284) or, less commonly, its serial port (RS-232). These compact boxes, such as the JetDirect EX, featured one or more network ports for 10BASE-T or 10BASE2 Ethernet, Token Ring, or AppleTalk over LocalTalk. Later, HP produced internal JetDirect cards that installed directly into the expansion slots of many LaserJet and DeskJet series printers, offering a more integrated solution. Hardware evolution kept pace with networking standards, with subsequent models supporting 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and finally 802.11 Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. Key to its operation was a dedicated RISC-based processor and memory to handle the data link layer and protocol processing independently of the printer's main engine.

Configuration and Protocols

Configuration was typically performed via Telnet, a web-based interface in later models, or proprietary utilities like HP JetAdmin. The device supported multiple concurrent networking protocols, allowing it to serve clients across heterogeneous networks. Core protocol support included TCP/IP using the LPD and raw port 9100 (HP JetDirect socket) protocols, IPX/SPX for Novell NetWare environments, and AppleTalk for Macintosh networks. The use of port 9100, often called the JetDirect port, became a particularly common standard for direct TCP/IP printing due to its simplicity and speed. Management features included the ability to set an IP address via BOOTP or DHCP, configure SNMP traps for monitoring, and support for IPv6 in final generations.

Software and Firmware

The intelligence of the JetDirect was contained in its firmware, which HP updated periodically to add features, support new protocols, and address security vulnerabilities. Companion software played a crucial role in deployment and management. HP JetAdmin was a comprehensive utility for installing, configuring, and monitoring JetDirect print servers across a network, often integrated with HP Web JetAdmin. Driver software on client operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows and various Unix-like systems, included specific JetDirect port monitors to facilitate communication. As security concerns grew, later firmware revisions added support for IPsec, 802.1X authentication, and other features to harden the devices against network attacks.

Historical Significance and Legacy

The JetDirect series had an outsized impact on the evolution of office information technology infrastructure. It effectively made the networked printer a standard appliance, decoupling print resources from individual PCs and supporting the growth of larger, more centralized workgroup printers. Its dominance helped cement TCP/IP as the primary protocol for printing, even as Novell NetWare declined. The product line faced competition from other print server manufacturers and, eventually, from printers with built-in networking, a trend HP itself accelerated. HP officially ended support for most JetDirect hardware in the 2010s, but its legacy persists; the port 9100 protocol remains a ubiquitous printing standard, and the conceptual model of a dedicated print server is now embedded in modern multifunction printers and cloud printing services. Category:Computer hardware Category:Networking hardware Category:Hewlett-Packard