Mac won't see printer via bonour. Can do IP printing, but then scanner won't work.

[pqlior]

Hey guys, my office is networked through a Linksys LRT224. The computers are on VLAN1 and printer and guest network are on VLAN2. I can ping the printer just fine, but can not see it as a printer. (when adding new printer in System Preferences)

I've opened up the bonjour ports and even allowed ALL traffic from main computers to printer.

Still nothing. HP Smart also can not find the printer. (again- I can ping it just fine)

Printer has a static IP and its reserved in the router config.

Would love your thoughts on this.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

What happens if you connect both the PC and the Mac to the same VLAN, the different VLANS may not allow proper communication.

Can you access the IP of the printer from the Mac with no issues?

I would say the problem is likely related to your network configuration, not to the printer settings.

Shlomi

[pqlior]

Thanks for replying-

They work, but that's not the point. It works anyways, but I keep having to restart the router. It's something to do with bonjour and firewall. I can print between the VLANs, but then printer disappears after a while. (although I can still ping it- which wouldn't be possible if there's was no inter-VLAN communication)

On another note- (maybe this helps clarify)

I can add the printer as an IP printer (not bonjour) but the scanner isn't recognized/loaded then.

(also- multicast is enabled- I saw on another thread that HP printers need that to be seen via bonjour)

[pqlior]

Which ports need to be opened (firewall) in order for the printer to be seen? (I can ping it just fine so clearly it's a port thing...)

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Bonjour works on ports 5353for Multicasting:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202944

But be aware, Bonjour does not only depends on standard ports also needs other network protocols to transfer multicast packets correctly, the reason you need to restart the printer frequently when Multicast packets are not transferred correctly it will drop this kind of connection within several minutes, can you see the same behavior also when connected to the same VLAN too?

Spoiler

Bonjour support: HP recommends routers that support Bonjour, Apple's network discovery software. Connecting with Bonjour is the best way to find the printer and support wireless printing.

Check if that works, if not, you should contact your router server provider, I suggest ensuring it has the latest firmware, also you would need to check if the router supports Multicasting and if it may require any specific configuration for the router.

Shlomi

[pqlior]

Just confirmed- bonjour does NOT support traffic on different VLAN's. No matter what access rules you set.