Understanding the Ports Used by HP Printers for Connectivity
HP printers utilize a variety of ports for connectivity, depending on the type of connection. Whether you're setting up a printer with a USB connection, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or using the HP Smart app, the ports needed for communication can vary significantly. Understanding which ports are used is crucial for setting up and troubleshooting your printer effectively.
Common Connection Types and Corresponding Ports
Depending on the configuration, an HP printer might use several different ports for connection. Here's a breakdown of the most common ports and their functions.
USB Connection
If you're connecting your HP printer to a computer via USB, the printer uses a standard USB port, typically either USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. This type of connection is straightforward and does not require any other ports.
Ethernet Connection
When connecting your printer via Ethernet, it uses standard TCP/IP protocols over port 9100 for printing, facilitating a networked setup that can handle multiple printers efficiently.
Wi-Fi Connection
For wireless connections, HP printers often use IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) over port 631, along with port 9100 for printing. This allows you to print from various devices without the need for physical connections.
HP Smart App Mobile Printing
If you are using the HP Smart app for mobile printing, the app communicates using standard ports associated with the protocols mentioned above. This ensures seamless integration and easy printing from your mobile device.
Additional Networking Ports
HP printers also use a range of TCP and UDP ports beyond those required for basic printing and connectivity. Here’s a detailed list of additional ports and their functions:
FTP: TCP and/or UDP ports 20 and 21 are used for FTP connections, allowing for direct file transfers to Jetdirect print servers. HP Jetdirect listens on these ports for FTP connection requests.
Telnet: TCP port 23 is used for remote configuration of HP Jetdirect devices when other methods are unavailable. It can also be used for viewing the current configuration.
E-Mail: TCP port 25 is used for sending email alerts from the device. Newer HP printers and MFPs have this functionality.
DNS: UDP or TCP ports 53 are used for DNS resolution, enabling MFP devices to resolve hostnames for Digital Sending functions.
DHCP and BOOTP: TCP ports 67 and 68 are used for DHCPv4 and BOOTP, allowing the printer to obtain network configuration information.
TFTP: TCP port 69 is used for configuration and firmware upgrades on Jetdirect devices.
HTTP, Embedded Web Server: TCP port 80 is used for accessing the Embedded Web Server, enabling users to configure the device via a web browser. Ports 88 and 88 are used for Kerberos authentication.
SNMP: UDP port 161 is used for SNMP management utilities to configure and query the status of HP Jetdirect devices. Port 162 is used for sending SNMP traps.
HTTP Management, IPP Printing: UDP/TCP port 280 is used for HTTP management and IPP printing.
LDAP: TCP port 389 is used for address lookups by MFP devices.
SLP Service Location Protocol: UDP port 427 is used for advertising services by newer HP Jetdirect devices.
SSL: TCP port 443 is used for encrypted communication between Web browsers and the Jetdirect Web server.
Syslog: UDP port 514 is used for connecting to a Syslog server, recording network events.
LPD: TCP port 515 is used for printing with LPD, and ports 721-731 are source ports on the host machine.
DHCPv6: UDP port 514 is used for DHCPv6.
IPP: TCP port 631 is used for Internet Printing Protocol, allowing for easier integration with CUPS-based printing or Windows Internet Printing.
LDAP over SSL: TCP port 636 is used for secure address lookups by MFP devices.
NTP: TCP port 1230 is used for Network Time Protocol (NTP), ensuring time synchronization.
Jetsend: TCP port 1782 is used for sending documents or pictures through a network to a printer.
Digital Send Management: TCP ports 1783 and 1784 are used for communication between the DSS server and MFP devices.
WJA NFS: UDP port 2049 is used for Network File System (NFS) by HP Web Jetadmin for font and macro uploads.
WS-Discovery: UDP port 3702 is used for discovering devices on the network.
Bonjour mDNS: UDP port 5353 is used for IP address and name resolution, typically used in the absence of a conventional DNS server.
Print Port for Raw Scanning: TCP ports 9100, 9101, and 9102 are used for raw scanning to peripherals with IEEE 1284.4 specifications. Port 9280 is used for scanning with the Embedded Web Server, while ports 9281 and 9282 are used for parallel ports 2 and 3 on multi-port print servers.
Conclusion
Understanding the ports used by HP printers is essential for managing and maintaining them efficiently. Whether you're setting up a new printer, troubleshooting connectivity issues, or integrating the printer into a larger network, knowing which ports are in use can save you time and hassle. Always refer to your printer's documentation for specific details related to your model and configuration needs.