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The old saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same" is nowhere more true than in the management of today's data networks. The reality is that something is always changing, be it new network or desktop operating systems, new high-speed interfaces, new categories of client/server applications... you name it.
Despite all the changes, we can't take our eyes off the day-to-day mission of network administration and end-user support: Keep the end users happy, while protecting the tremendous investment that your company's made in its computing infrastructure. It's a tough job, whether you're in charge of strategic network planning for a large site, or whether you roller-skate between cubicles replacing toner cartridges and installing software upgrades.
Take network print servers, for example. HP's JetDirect series print servers are popular tools for maximizing the efficiency of network printing, but our support doesn't stop when you open the box. When new technologies come down the pike, HP engineers start working right away on upgrades and after-market support-available to you at minimal cost, accessible via various bulletin board services. (If you've upgraded network hardware such as print servers or intelligent hubs, this may be the time to take advantage of Flash Memory firmware SlMMs, allowing you to perform upgrades right over the network.)
Many changes are in store for your company's network over the next year or so. Three in particular will affect network printing: the migration to NetWare 4.1; the arrival of Windows 95; and the installation of increasingly intelligent printers. Let's look at each of these situations and check out your upgrade options. (These three situations are merely today's hot topics; rest assured that HP will stick with you through the crises beyond these.)
All HP JetDirect-series print servers designed for Novell NetWare are fully compatible with the first two modes-no modifications or upgrades are necessary. But if you want to take advantage of the new native NDS queue server mode with older HP JetDirect print servers, you might need to upgrade the print server's firmware by adding a Flash SIMM upgrade or by downloading a new Flash Memory firmware image. Table 1 lists the upgrade path for past and present HP JetDirect models. (In the case of the old HP JetDirect 02059 and 02071 models, it's not possible to upgrade the firmware.)
If your internal or external HP JetDirect print servers need new Flash Memory SIMM modules, they'll be delivered to you with the most up-to-date drivers in the box. If you already have Flash Memory installed, you can download the new firmware yourself at no cost from the sources listed in Table 2, and install it yourself. You'll also need the downloading utility, called HP Download Manager, in order to install the new firmware over the network. If you don't already have HP Download Manager, it's available at no charge through the sources listed in Table 2.
By the way, a firmware upgrade for your HP JetDirect print server gives you more than full NetWare 4.1 support. Depending on the model, and its current firmware level, you could be adding automatic multi-protocol switching and support for as many as 16 NetWare file servers and 64 print queues, as well as support for new versions of several popular network operating systems.
What about network administrators running Windows 95? HP hasdeveloped a native version of the HP JetAdmin printer management software. You're already familiar with HP JetAdmin's powerful suite of integrated management tools. Now those tools are integrated into Windows 95's new graphical user interface. The price of this new software: Free. It'll be included on the new Windows 95 CD-ROM. And, it's free for downloading from the sources listed in Table 2.
HP offers versions of HP JetAdmin for a variety of popular platforms. Currently, there are versions for HP-UX, Sunsoft's Solaris, Microsoft's Windows 3.x and Windows 95, IBM's OS/2 and LAN Server 4.0, and Novell's NetWare 3.x and 4.x.