Mac OS X v10.6: How to connect to an IP-based printer or AppleTalk printer via IP

Note: For information about adding a printer and other topics, see Mac OS X v10.6: Mac 101 - Printing.

IP-based network printers

Note: This article does not address every potential contingency for all IP-capable printers. Specific steps for adding an IP-capable printer to your network may vary from vendor to vendor. Please read the documentation that came with your printer or contact the manufacturer of the printer for assistance if needed.

Once you have your printer on the network, it will have a numeric IP address.  An IP address is a series of four numbers with no spaces, separated by periods, such as 10.0.1.2.  You will need to note the IP address of your printer, as well as the specific printer model you have.

Tip: You can use the Ping tool in Network Utility (in /Applications/Utilities) to make sure your Mac has established an IP connection to your printer.  An IP connection is a prerequisite to adding the printer.

• In Network Utility, after using Ping, if you see text similar to "64 bytes from 10.0.1.2: icmp_seq=0 ttl=255 time=0.399 ms", the IP connection to your printer was successful. Proceed with adding your printer.
• In Network Utility, after using Ping, if you see text similar to "Host is down", the IP connection to your Printer is not established. You will need resolve this issue before you can add the printer.  Consult the documentation for your printer or contact the manufacturer for assistance with establishing the IP connection to your Mac.

Before you start to add your IP-capable printer

1. Ensure the printer is properly connected to the network, has power, ink, toner, and paper. Ensure there are no alerts on the printer's built-in display panel. If you cannot clear an alert on the built-in display panel, check the printer's documentation or manufacturer for support.
2. Use Software Update for the latest available updates.
   

To connect to an IP-capable printer

1. From the Apple menu choose System Preferences.
2. From the View menu choose Print & Fax.
3. If the lower left padlock is locked, click it and enter an administrator name and password to unlock it.
4. Click the "+" (plus) icon at the bottom of the "Printers" pane to open the "Add Printer" window.
5. If the printer appears when the "Default" icon is chosen, select it, then skip to step 8.
6. If the printer does not appear when you have the "Default" icon selected, click "IP" on the toolbar.
7. IP printers have three printing protocols to choose from. Select the appropriate option for your printer.
   • HP Jetdirect – Socket: HP and many other printer manufactures use this protocol.
   • Internet Printing Protocol – IPP: Modern printers and printer servers use this protocol.
   • Line Printer Daemon – LPD: Earlier printers and printer servers may use this protocol.
   Note: If you pick a protocol other than HP Jetdirect, you will not be able to gather printer info.  You will have to manually select the PPD and installable options.
    
8. Click the "Address:" field and enter the IP address of your printer.  When your Mac can communicate with your IP-capable printer you will see the message "Valid and complete address." below the "Address:" field.  If the message is "Invalid or incomplete address.", make sure the IP address is properly entered and that it is the IP address configured on the printer.  Once your Mac can establish the IP connection to your printer it will display "Gathering printer information…" and set up the proper printer driver in the "Print Using:" field.  As mentioned above, you can use the Ping tool in Network Utility (in /Applications/Utilities) to make sure your Mac has established an IP connection to your printer.
9. If step 8 "Gathering printer information…" stage was successful in selecting the printer driver, click "Add" to create your printer queue (in which case you are done and do not need to use the following steps).
10. If step 8 "Gathering printer information…" stage was not successful in selecting the printer driver, select "Select Printer Software…" from the "Print Using:" pop-up menu.  Choose the printer model for your IP Printer and click OK.  Click "Add" to create your printer queue.
    Tip: Enter the model of printer in the "Printer Software" search field to quickly find the printer software to select.
11. If the model of printer is not listed but your printer is a PostScript printer or PCL Laser printer, try the "Generic PostScript" or "PCL Laser printer" drivers.  Generic printer drivers may not let you access all the features of your printer.
     

Canon network-based printers

Some Canon printers use the Canon IJ networking protocol that requires additional printing software to be installed. Check Apple Downloads for the latest Canon printing software. Then, follow these steps:

1. From the Apple menu choose System Preferences.
2. From the View menu choose Print & Fax.
3. If the lower left padlock is locked, click it and enter an administrator name and password to unlock it.
4. Click the "+" (plus) icon at the bottom of the "Printers" pane to open the "Add Printer" window.  Wait a few seconds for your printer to appear, select it, then click “Add.”
    

AppleTalk printers

AppleTalk is a protocol that is not supported in Mac OS X v10.6.  Many AppleTalk-capable printers also have support for IP-based printing protocols that can be used instead of AppleTalk. Please see the above "IP-based network printers" section for information about how to add a printer using IP. If your printer can only use the AppleTalk protocol, the printer must be connected to, and then shared by, an appropriate AppleTalk-capable printer server, or shared from a Mac OS X v10.5-based Mac. Mac OS X v10.6-based Macs can then print to the shared printer.