HP J2591A JetDirect EX Plus Print Server 10Base-T BNC Parallel No AC Adapter

HP J2591A JetDirect EX Plus Print Server 10Base-T BNC Parallel No AC Adapter

The HP JetDirect EX Plus J2591A is an external print server that connects a parallel-port printer to a 10 Mbps Ethernet network, allowing multiple users to share a single printer without a dedicated print host. It supports both 10Base-T (twisted-pair) and 10Base-2 (coaxial BNC) Ethernet connections, giving it flexibility for legacy network environments of either topology.

Specifications & What's Included

• Model: HP J2591A
• Product name: HP JetDirect EX Plus
• Network interfaces: 10Base-T (RJ-45) and 10Base-2 (BNC coaxial)
• Network speed: 10 Mbps Ethernet
• Printer interface: Parallel (Centronics/IEEE 1284)
• Front-panel indicators: Status, Test, and Activity LEDs
• Form factor: Small desktop/external unit
• AC adapter: Not included — must be sourced separately

Applications

The HP JetDirect family of external print servers was designed to connect parallel-port printers — most commonly HP LaserJet and compatible models — directly to an Ethernet LAN, eliminating the need to route print jobs through a dedicated PC host. The JetDirect EX Plus J2591A dates from the mid-to-late 1990s, when 10 Mbps shared Ethernet was the standard office LAN speed and coaxial BNC (10Base-2) networks were still common alongside the newer 10Base-T twisted-pair cabling. By supporting both connection types on a single unit, it bridged the transition between the two wiring standards. Today these units still see use in facilities maintaining legacy HP LaserJet hardware on older network segments, or by collectors and integrators working with period-correct equipment.