hp-info
Get information about HP printer/scanner devices
SYNOPSIS
hp-info [OPTIONS] [<device-uri>]
PARAMETERS
-i
Display basic device information for the specified device URI.
-a
Display all available information for the specified device URI, including product, connectivity, and capabilities data.
-c
Display connectivity information for the specified device URI, such as network status or connection type.
-p
Display product-specific information for the specified device URI, including model name and firmware.
-s
Display device capabilities information for the specified device URI, such as supported functions (print, scan, fax).
-w
Display information related to the device's Embedded Web Server (EWS) for the specified device URI.
-t
Run in test mode, typically used for development or diagnostic purposes.
-d
Enable debug mode, providing verbose output useful for troubleshooting.
-g
Launch the GUI mode, if available, for interactive device information display.
-j
Output information in JSON format, suitable for programmatic parsing.
--version
Display the HPLIP and utility version information.
--help
Show the command's help message and available options.
DESCRIPTION
The `hp-info` command, part of the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) system, provides a detailed overview of HP imaging and printing devices connected to a Linux system.
It is an essential diagnostic tool for administrators and users alike, offering insights into device configuration, status, capabilities, and connectivity.
When executed without options, it typically lists all detected HP devices and their basic URIs. With specific options or a device URI, it can drill down to provide information such as product model, firmware version, serial number, driver status, network configuration, and scanner/fax capabilities, aiding in troubleshooting and setup.
CAVEATS
- Requires the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) package to be installed on the system.
- For comprehensive device information or specific diagnostic functions, the command might require root privileges.
- The target HP device must be connected to the system and powered on for `hp-info` to detect it and retrieve information.
- Networked devices might require proper network configuration and discoverability for `hp-info` to locate them.
TYPICAL OUTPUT SECTIONS
When run for a specific device, `hp-info` can provide various sections of information including:
Product Information (Model Name, Product ID, Firmware Version, Serial Number), Connectivity Information (Connection Type, IP Address, Port), Driver Information (HPLIP Driver Version, CUPS Driver), Status Information (Device State, Warnings/Errors), and Capabilities (Printer, Scanner, Fax support).
HISTORY
The `hp-info` command is an integral part of the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) project, which was initiated by HP in 2001 to provide robust Linux support for HP printers, scanners, and multi-function devices.
Over the years, HPLIP has evolved significantly, incorporating support for hundreds of HP models and becoming the de facto standard for HP device integration on Linux. `hp-info` has consistently served as a key utility for device identification and diagnostics throughout this development, reflecting the growing need for detailed hardware information in the Linux ecosystem.