technical brief HP Web Jetadmin
Discovery
Asset Management
in HP Web Jetadmin
Overview
An essential function of a printer
management software package, such
as HP Web Jetadmin, is to discover
devices on the network and gather
pertinent information about those
devices. This pertinent information
that is gathered, such as the number
of devices on the network,
capabilities, firmware revisions, page
counts, status, etc., can in turn be
used to manage assets.
Asset Management can be divided
into two categories:
• Asset Tracking - understand
which devices are on the
network
• Asset Utilization - understand
how devices are being used
With the information HP Web
Jetadmin can extract from devices,
one could easily perform the
following types of functions:
• Determine how devices are
being utilized
• Perform load balancing
• Bill customers for usage
• Prevent consumables from
running out on devices
This technical brief will describe the
features in HP Web Jetadmin that
comprise asset tracking and asset
utilization
Asset Management
Asset Tracking
Asset tracking involves finding
devices on the network and reporting
information about those devices. HP
Web Jetadmin performs asset tracking
as a series of steps:
1. Discover all devices that exist on
the network.
2. Gather pertinent information about
devices on the network.
3. Export the data to file - can be
imported into any database or
spreadsheet package for storing.
trend and heuristic information
4. Allow the data to be customized for
generating reports.
Figure 1
While most other printer
management software packages offer
one or two discovery mechanisms to
locate devices, HP Web Jetadmin
offers a multitude of extremely
accurate discovery options to ensure
that all networked devices are found
(see Figure 1).
While many of the discovery options
will search for unknown devices, other
discovery options, such as Specified
Addresses, allow for importing a list
of specific devices on which to query
for information. This not only
eliminates unwanted network traffic,
but also equates to manually
importing information into HP Web
Jetadmin.
Once the devices are imported or
discovered, important information is
extracted from these devices and
stored in a cache to be exported to
file when desired.
Gather Data
HP Web Jetadmin uses SNMP queries
to gather extensive information about
the devices on the network. Non-HP
devices can be discovered, as well as
long as they adhere to the Standard
 HP Web Jetadmin
Figure 2
Printer MIB (FRC 1759). Critical pieces
of information such as page counts,
capabilities, status, etc. can be stored
in a cache, ready for export.
Export
There are numerous types of
database and spreadsheet programs
available to store trend and heuristic
data for devices on the network. It is
the function of HP Web Jetadmin to
gather accurate information about the
devices on the network on a regular
basis, and make that data available
for importing into databases and
applications.
The querying of devices and
exporting of data can be manually
triggered or scheduled to occur at
any recurring interval, providing the
ability to automatically populate the
database application with trend and
heuristic data with minimal effort.
To manually export data, select
Export Device List from the Device
Tools drop-down menu while viewing
Asset Management
the list of All Devices (see Figure 2).
All devices and all columns that
appear in the list at that moment will
be exported to file.
To schedule a data export, select
Device Management, Device Cache,
Scheduled Export in the Navigation
tree (see Figure 3). Specific dates and
times can be scheduled, as well as the
recurring interval. HP Web Jetadmin
Figure 3
can also be instructed to export data
at the conclusion of each device
discovery.
Multiple schedules can be created,
with each schedule appearing under
the Current Schedules section.
Once schedules have been created,
export parameters must be assigned
to each schedule. To define the
export parameters for each schedule,
select Device Management, Device
Cache, Device Cache Export in the
Navigation tree (see Figure 4), and
choose the desired schedule under
Select Export Parameters To Edit.
Parameters that can be specified
include:
• File format
• File location
• Devices
• Data
File Format
HP Web Jetadmin can export its
report data into either of two formats:
• Comma Separated Value (CSV) -
for importing into databases
• Extensible Markup Language
(XML) - for importing into
applications
 HP Web Jetadmin
Figure 4
The .csv format was chosen in order
to be compatible with most database
and spreadsheet applications.
File Location
The location where the file will be
stored is specified under Export
Location. Any local subdirectory that
exists on the machine running HP
Web Jetadmin can be specified.
The file name will always follow the
format of view_group, with view
indicating which fields are included,
and groups indicating which devices
are included. A script could be
written to extract this file each time
after it has been created. Otherwise,
the file would be overwritten each
time it is created. If desired, a unique
file name will be created each time
the file is exported by checking the
box labeled Append date time to the
file name. Using this method, trend
and heuristic data could be stored
over time since each file name will
include a unique date and time stamp
Once the data has been exported into
a file type, the file can be e-mailed to
any desired recipients by entering e-
mail addresses in the box labeled
Send To Email Address. Multiple
addresses can be entered by
Asset Management
separating each address with a semi-
colon.
Devices
The devices to be exported are
entered under the Device Group
heading. Any previously created
group can be selected from the drop-
down menu to specify exactly which
devices will be included in the
scheduled export.
Data
HP Web Jetadmin provides a variety
of pre-defined views from which to
select to define the fields of
information that will be exported:
• Default View - displays general
information such as model name,
hardware address, IP address, IP
hostname, and IPX name
• Status View - polls devices and
displays the current status of
those devices
• Detailed View - displays
description and system contact
information
• Asset View - displays asset
number and serial number
• Jetdirect View - displays HP
Jetdirect model and firmware
revision information
• Page Count View - displays page
count information
• Export View - displays all columns
that pertain to the list of
discovered devices. This is the
most exhaustive pre-defined view
available, containing most of the
columns that are available in HP
Web Jetadmin
Custom views can also be created to
display exactly the desired data to be
exported. Columns can be added,
removed, or rearranged in any
desired order. The contents of each
column can also be sorted prior to
exporting.
Reports
Reports can streamline budgeting
processes and maximize printer
investment. Reports and graphs help
monitor printer usage and optimize
print assets.
Since HP Web Jetadmin allows the
data to be customized on screen prior
to being exported to a database
package, the data can be used to
generate a variety of reports with
minimal effort. For example, the
following types of reports could be
generated from the data that is
imported into the database
application:
• Status– choose the Status view to
export the current status of each
device. Departments that order
consumables may be interested in
such a report to determine which
devices are in a toner low state so
toner can be reordered in a timely
manner.
• Accounting – choose the Page
Count view to export both the
total number of pages printed on
the device and the number of
pages printed over a specified
amount of time (Interim Page
 HP Web Jetadmin
Figure 5
Count). This report could be used
for billing purposes based upon
the number of pages printed per
printer. It could also be used to
determine how many pages are
being printed per month, per
toner cartridge, etc.
• Asset - choose the Asset view to
export unique information about
each device such as asset number,
serial number, system contact, etc.
This report can indicate all
printers discovered on the
network and their unique
identifications.
• Hardware - choose the Export
view to export the various pieces
of hardware installed on a device
such as the type of HP Jetdirect
device and its firmware revision,
input devices, output devices,
duplexers, storage accessories,
etc. This report could be used to
determine a firmware upgrade
strategy, or it might be used to
provide a list of devices that still
require hardware to be ordered
and/or installed.
Note: If automatic report generation
is desired rather than manually
Asset Management
creating reports, the HP Report
Generation Plug-in can be purchased
and installed into HP Web Jetadmin.
HP Report Generation Plug-in collects
usage data from discovered printers,
stores the data in a database, and
generates reports/graphs using the
collected data. For more information
regarding this plug-in, please read
the Technology Note titled HP Report
Generation Plug-in for HP Web
Jetadmin.
Asset Utilization
Asset Utilization allows administrators
to track the number of consumables
being used by printers such as pages
printed on each printer and toner
cartridge levels. Asset Utilization
helps administrators understand how
printers are being used, which aids in
proper deployment of those printers.
In HP Web Jetadmin, Asset Utilization
includes such features as:
• Interim Page Count
• Usage Meters
• Consumables Gauge
Page Counts
All printers that comply with the
Standard Printer MIB (RFC 1759)
should reflect accurate engine page
count information in HP Web
Jetadmin. HP Web Jetadmin extracts
page count information from the
printer and displays it on the screen
as the Total Page Count.
Interim Page Count is a value that is
calculated within HP Web Jetadmin
and allows administrators to set a
time interval where the page count
will be calculated. For example, an
administrator may enable Interim
Page Counts for the following
situations:
• Calculate how many pages are
being printed before the toner
cartridge is changed.
• Calculate the number of pages
printed per month for a particular
printer.
To enable the Interim Page Count
function for a single printer, select
Configuration from a device Status
page and select the Page Counting
On button under Page Count. (see
Figure 5)
Interim Page Count can also be
enabled for multiple printers
simultaneously under the
Configuration tab for multiple
devices.
Once Interim Page Count is enabled,
the Total Page Count value will be
displayed as well as the Interim Page
Count value if the view is selected (see
Figure 6).
Clicking on the Turn Page Counting
Off button will reset the Interim Page
Count value back to zero.
Numerous other forms of page
counts can also be displayed as
columns when viewing a list of
devices (see Figure 7):
• Various page sizes
• Color pages
 HP Web Jetadmin Asset Management

• Simplex, duplex, and dimplex (the

last page of a duplexed job that
only has print on one side)

Usage Meters
The Usage Meters feature displays the
quantity of various media types
printed (both simplex and duplex) on
a particular printer (see Figure 8). It
uses the media size "letter" as a
constant, giving it a value of 1.0, and
calculates all other media types as a
multiple of this constant. For
example, legal size is displayed with a
value of 1.3, since it is slightly larger
than letter size.
With all media types displayed as Figure 6
multiples of this standard, a more
accurate calculation of toner required
to print a page is calculated, thus
allowing for a pay-per-page model to
be implemented.
To access the Usage Meters feature,
select Diagnostics from the Status
page of a printer. Usage Meters
information will appear at the bottom
of the page.
The data contained under Usage
Meters, such as page counts based
upon page sizes and units applied to
each page size, can also be added to
the list of All Devices as columns.
Once enabled as columns, the data
can be exported to a file for report
purposes.
The following list contains examples Figure 7
of HP printers that support the Usage
Meters feature, given they have the
proper storage installed, such as a
hard drive, to store the information:

• HP Color LaserJet 4550

• HP Color LaserJet 4600
• HP Color LaserJet 8550
• HP LaserJet 4050
• HP LaserJet 4100
• HP LaserJet 4100 MFP
• HP LaserJet 4200
• HP LaserJet 4300
• HP LaserJet 8100

Figure 8
 HP Web Jetadmin Asset Management

of HP printers that support the

Consumables Gauge feature:

• HP 2000C
• HP 2500C/CP
• HP Color LaserJet 4550
• HP Color LaserJet 4600
• HP Color LaserJet 8550
• HP LaserJet 4050
• HP LaserJet 4100
• HP LaserJet 4100 MFP
• HP LaserJet 8100
• HP LaserJet 8150
• HP LaserJet 9000
• HP LaserJet 9000 MFP
Figure 9 • HP Mopier 240
• HP Mopier 320
• HP LaserJet 8150 remotely monitor the remaining life
• HP LaserJet 9000 expectancy for printer cartridges. The consumables gauge information
This allows for proactive ordering and
• HP LaserJet 9000 MFP can also be displayed in column
replacement of cartridges, minimizing
• HP Mopier 240 printer downtime and impact on end-
format while viewing a list of devices.
• HP Mopier 320 Thus, a list can be quickly generated
user productivity. containing all devices in need of
The Usage Meters information can HP Jetdirect devices require firmware toner or ink. This list could be
also be printed directly from the front versions x.06.00 or greater to support exported to .csv file or printed to any
panel of the printer. the Consumables Gauge feature. available printer and distributed to
individuals responsible for reordering
Multi-function devices, those that The following list contains examples consumables.
have additional capabilities such as
copying and digital sending, can
display digital copy usage units as
well (see Figure 9). Examples of
devices that can display copy usage
include the HP 320 Mopier, HP
LaserJet 9000 MFP, and the HP
LaserJet 4100 MFP.
Consumables Gauge
The Consumables Gauge monitors
the toner and ink levels in printers.
This gauge accurately indicates the
percentage of toner or ink remaining
in the printer’s cartridge. This
function is displayed on the printer’s
Status page as a series of bar graphs
(see Figure 10).
HP Web Jetadmin is the only printer
management tool that currently
measures toner and ink levels in
precise increments. Administrators
can use the toner/ink gauge to
Figure 10
 HP Web Jetadmin Asset Management

Remaining Paper Levels

Some printers also include the ability
to report an approximate level of
remaining paper in each tray. This
information can be displayed as a
gauge by selecting Configuration,
Tray Administration while viewing the
Status page of a printer (see Figure 11).
Remaining tray levels can also be
displayed in column format while
viewing a list of devices (see Figure
12). This allows for quickly generating
a list of printers with remaining paper
levels in a low state. This list could be
exported to .csv file or printed to an
available printer to enable quick Figure 11
delivery to individuals responsible for
refilling paper trays in a timely
manner.
Summary
HP Web Jetadmin is a powerful tol for
collecting asset management
information on networked
peripherals. Asset management is
important in that it provides the
ability to track printing devices and
understand how these devices are
being utilized. By exporting HP Web
Jetadmin data on a scheduled basis,
trend and heuristic information about
networked devices can be easily
stored in a database of choice. Figure 12

Copyright May, 2004

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