On-Campus 16/600 Network Printers

Communications Network Services is requesting your assistance with controlling unnecessary traffic over the University's data network. Recently several LaserWriter 16/600 printers have been connected to the network with the default communications setting of "Autotype" for three protocols: Netware (or IPX), TCP/IP, and EtherTalk. Most of the 16/600 printers are used only for jobs sent from users' Apple/MacIntosh machines. By using the default setting for Netware, the 16/600's generate an an extremely high amount of traffic across the entire campus network, and may needlessly consume valuable network capacity.

HOW YOU MAY HELP: ALL LASERWRITER 16/600 PRINTERS NOT BEING USED AS NETWARE PRINTERS SHOULD HAVE THE NETWARE OPTION IN THE COMMUNICATIONS CONFIGURATION TURNED OFF.

Complete instructions for doing this are included in documentation provided with your printer. A subset of the instructions follows, though you should refer to your user's manual for complete information.

Brief instructions for deactivating 16/600 Netware Option
16/600 LaserWriters have an Apple Printer Utility, which allows for modification of the setup for EtherTalk, Netware and TCP/IP. Often, when trouble-shooting excessively high volumes of network activity, 16/600's with their Netware setting on Autotype have been identified as the source.

1. On the back of the 16/600 is a small silver switch that must be in the UP position. The switch is located at the top of the panel containing the Ethernet cable plug. Leave the switch in the UP position after completing these steps.
2. After checking the switch, you must use the Apple Printer Utility to configure the Netware option. Locate the Apple Printer Utility (usually in the System Folder) and open it. Next, in the Printer Selector window, choose your zone and printer, then click the Open Printer button.
3. When the printer has been Opened, click the triangle next to Communication Configuration.
4. After the Communication Configuration window opens, click the triangle next to Up Switch Position (Custom).
5. A dialog box with three parts will open. In the center part labeled Ethernet Port, set the Netware option to Off (using the pop up menu next to Netware).
6. Click on the Send button to send the new information to the printer.
7. Turn the printer's power off for a ten seconds, then turn it back on.

There are also other types of equipment capable of 'talking' multiple protocols. Some such as the 16/600's do so by default and some require the user to choose which protocols are active.

In addition to the 16/600 Laserwriter printers, following are scenarios to be on the look out for.

• NT servers can talk multiple protocols with a click of the mouse, while some do so in the default mode of operation. Turn off AppleTalk routing or IPX, if they are not being used. Unlike Netware servers, NT servers do not need to have routing enabled to provide AppleTalk services.
• "Windows for Workgroups" also defaults to IPX/SPX, when initially installed. If this protocol will not be used, it MUST be turned off after installation is complete.
• Some HP-LaserJet printers have the IPX protocol capability. Again, if IPX is not needed, it must be turned off.
• Various other devices may act as IPX routers, or respond to IPX/SAP announcements, such as CDROM attachments/servers.

There are likely other devices on the network using multiple protocols we are not yet aware of. It is critical for users to turn off all services not being used, when installing new networked devices.