micky wrote:
> Is a Static network connection more static than Auto?
>
> If I set a printer's network IP address, network mask, and Gateway and
> mark it STATIC, does that make it less likely that the printer will
> forget what the settings are? Less likely than if it was done with
> AUTO/APIPA or DHCP?
In principle, yes.
The printer will almost certainly forget these if it is "factory reset".
It's unlikely this will happen by accident, but it's not impossible
that a brief power interruption could cause it. Some devices retain a
static IP despite a factory reset, or take on a different static IP
address specified by the manufacturer.
The problem with a static setting is that you have to keep a note of the
values you set, so that you don't issue the same IP address to another
device on your LAN.
The advantage of the automatic setting using DHCP is that the router
provides the printer with a sensible IP address. How sensible depends
on your router. Some routers can be configured to recognise the MAC
address and issue a specific IP address that you choose; others might
simply remember what IP address was previously issued to that device and
issue the same one.
The computer needs to know how to communicate with the printer. If it
uses TCP/IP then you must tell it the printer's IP when you
install/configure the driver. It might use a node name or other
proprietary mechanism to find the printer (as your BRAdminLight app
does). Each printer manufacturer may offer a different app to achieve this.
If I remember correctly I think the problem you had was that the printer
was unable to communicate with your router (i.e. the DHCP server) so
assumed an autoconfiguration IP address. Removing the unreliability of
WiFi is the only rational solution to this difficulty.
If you mix automatic and manual settings between different devices you
might run into problems when a manually configured device is powered
down, and the DHCP issues that device's IP address to something else.
Later, the manually set device is powered up and problems then arise.
In summary:
= The automatic settings ought to work, but when they don't you have to
understand every detail of the process to resolve the problem. "Black
Magic" solutions like "power everything off and back on" may appear to
work, but don't resolve wahtever underlying problem caused the failure
in the first place.
= The manual settings will work reliably but you need to understand
every detail in order to set everything correctly in the first place,
and keep proper notes.
So there's no substitute for having a thorough understanding of all the
details.
So here's a technical exercise: Suppose you bought a secondhand device
that you had seen working, but it doesn't work when connected (by wire)
to your LAN. What are all the possible things that could have gone
wrong, and how would you resolve the problem?
--
Graham J