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I have an Epson Stylus Pro 9900 printer that is directly connected via ethernet. When connecting the printer directly to the second ethernet port on the PC via a crossover cable, it works fine. When connecting the printer to the router (tried cat6 and crossover), it's not seen on the network.

The PC's internal IP is 192.168.0.xx (router). The printer's is 192.168.100.xx (direct crossover).

First question, why is the printer on a different network than the PC when connected directly? Is that because of the direct-connection? The crossover cable? Both? I assume bypassing the router is part of the reason, but unsure about the implications of the crossover cable.

Second question, any ideas why the PC can't see the printer on the network when it's plugged into the router? Again, tried cat6 and crossover from printer to the router. Maybe this printer model is only able to function via direct connection?

Looking at the printer's front panel, there are no options to set (or even view) it's IP address.

Jeff
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1 Answers1

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First, for instructions on setting the IP address of the printer from the front panel, reference the Network Guide for this printer (I found it here:[https://files.support.epson.com/pdf/pro79_/pro79_ng.pdf] 1) on page 39. I strongly recommend trying DHCP configuration first.

The crossover cable (vs. straight-through / patch cable) should not impact the IP addresses usable by the printer. It may impact whether the two devices are able to communicate at all, however.

When you connect the printer directly to your computer, you may have configured the second ethernet port ("interface") on the computer (that the printer was plugged into) to have an IP address and network setting that permits communication. Alternatively, if you did literally no configuration, it may be that both (computer and printer) interfaces would auto-configure, and it does appear that the printer can afford some function in such a state.

Slartibartfast
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