HP Color LaserJet 3800 Printer - Software Technical Reference

Driver Configuration for Windows
The HP LaserJet PCL 6 and PCL 5 traditional drivers for Windows and the HP PCL 6, PCL 5, and
PS emulation unidrivers feature bidirectional communication technology which, in supported
environments, provide automatic discovery and driver configuration for product accessories at the time
of installation.
Some accessories that are automatically discovered and configured include the duplexing unit, optional
paper trays, printer hard disk, and dual inline memory modules (DIMMs).
Driver autoconfiguration
Automatic discovery and driver configuration through bidirectional communication occurs in the
following circumstances:
●
When a print driver is installed by using Enterprise AutoConfiguration (EAC)
●
When using the Update Now feature for a driver that is already installed
However, as shown in the following table, driver autoconfiguration and EAC are not available in
Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 operating systems over a direct connection
when the HP Color LaserJet 3800 printer is installed by using the Add Printer Wizard.
Table 2-2 Availability of automatic discovery and driver configuration through bidirectional communication in
Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003
Connection type Add Printer Wizard install Common installer
Network Yes Yes
Direct connection No Yes
Bidirectional communication
In environments that support bidirectional communication, the computer communicates with the product
during installation, determines the physical configuration, and then configures the driver accordingly.
Bidirectional communication is the capability of the product to respond to data inquiries from the
computer and report information back, such as what type of print media is available or what accessories
are connected to the product. Bidirectional communication depends on the network operating system
and on the type of connection that exists between the computer and the HP Color LaserJet 3800. If the
connection does not have this capability (that is, if it has no bidirectional mode), it can only accept
commands from the host and cannot report information back to the host computer.
Enterprise AutoConfiguration
Enterprise AutoConfiguration (EAC) uses bidirectional communication to provide autoconfiguration
functionality for installation of the print driver over a network, whether you use the installer on the printing-
system software CD or the Add Printer wizard to install the driver. Driver installation that includes EAC
is configured with the same settings as the physical configuration of the product. Configuration occurs
without user interaction.
If bidirectional-communication software has been installed previously, EAC is not activated, and the pre-
existing bidirectional-communication software is used to configure the print driver.
ENWW Driver Configuration for Windows 31
Software description