HP Deskjet 6127 Color Inkjet Printer - Manual (Page 168)

ethernet basics
The printer's built-in ethernet feature allows you to connect the printer directly to a
10/100 Base-T ethernet network without the aid of an external print server.
hardware
hubs and routers
On an ethernet network, computers and the printer are each connected to a hub or a
router .
an example of an ethernet network
Hubs and routers may look similar, but there is one important difference.
Hubs are passive — other devices on the network plug into the hub in order to
communicate with one another. The hub does not manage the network.
Routers are active. Routers have network administration tools, such as firewalls and
DHCP . A router can act as a gateway , while a hub cannot.
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