HP RAM Disk

Overview

RAM Disk provides volatile temporary storage for print data. Upon shutdown or loss of power, the RAM Disk loses any data held in memory. This feature meets the needs of customers requiring no user print data to be written to mass storage like hard disks, eMMC, or SSDs. By installing a supported HP DIMM, compatible single-function printers can utilize the DIMM as RAM Disk. Once enabled, print data that would normally be written to mass storage is instead processed through the RAM Disk.

Supported accessory RAM DIMM modules for RAM Disk include the HP 1GB 90-Pin DDR3 DIMM (2NR03A) and the HP 2GB DDR3x32 144-Pin 800MHz SODIMM (2NR09A), both of which are Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant.

The RAM Disk feature is available on HP FutureSmart Enterprise single-function products introduced after January 2015 and running HP FutureSmart firmware version 4.8 or higher. Refer to the 'Supported Printers' section for a complete list of compatible products and DIMM accessories.

Data written to RAM Disk

When RAM Disk is enabled, print data is sent to the RAM Drive. Other data, including system and configuration data, remains on the original device drive. If RAM Disk is enabled on a system with existing sensitive content on its mass storage, that data is deleted via a cryptographic erase of the storage device upon enabling RAM Disk.

System requirements

RAM Disk functionality requires FutureSmart 4 firmware version 4.8 or higher to be installed on the printer. The product firmware must be updated prior to configuring the device for RAM Disk. For instructions on updating the Enterprise printer firmware, consult the document titled 'HP Enterprise – Update the firmware'.

Enable RAM Disk

Follow these steps to enable RAM Disk:

1. Power the printer off.
2. Install the DIMM in the printer according to the DIMM installation instructions.
3. Power the printer on and wait for it to reach the Ready state.
4. Open a web browser.
5. In the URL field, enter the printer's IP address and press Enter.

NOTE: If the web browser displays a message indicating the website might not be safe, select the option to continue. Accessing the website will not harm your computer; this message appears if the printer enforces HTTPS.

6. Select the 'Information' tab, then click 'Configuration Page' to view printer information. Verify that the DIMM is listed in the installed personalities and options. This is depicted in Figure 1, showing the EWS Configuration Page with DIMM and Capacity details.
7. Select the 'Security' tab, then choose 'Protect Stored Data' from the left navigation menu.
8. Under the 'RAM Disk Settings' section, select the 'Enable RAM Disk' checkbox. This is illustrated in Figure 2, showing the EWS Security tab.
9. Click 'Apply'. A printer restart is required to activate RAM Disk.
10. Click 'Restart Now'. Alternatively, select 'Restart Later'.

NOTE: HP recommends securing the formatter with a Kensington lock. Refer to the printer manual for additional information.

To verify RAM Disk is enabled after the printer restart:

1. Open the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS).
2. Select the 'Security' tab, then choose 'Protect Stored Data' in the left navigation menu.
3. Under the 'Drive Status' section, in the 'Drive Content' column, verify that 'RAM Drive' is listed with 'Job Data' displayed. This is shown in Figure 3.

NOTE: The 'Encryption Status' may display a warning 'Status Disk cannot be encrypted.' This indicates the RAM Drive is not self-encrypting. There is no customer-facing interface to directly access information stored in the RAM Drive. Upon device shutdown or power loss, the RAM Disk loses its data.

The configuration page in the EWS also displays the RAM Disk Size under the 'Memory' column, as shown in Figure 4.

Disable RAM Disk

Follow these steps to disable RAM Disk:

1. Open a web browser.
2. In the URL field, enter the printer's IP address and press Enter.

NOTE: If the web browser displays a message indicating the website might not be safe, select the option to continue. Accessing the website will not harm your computer; this message appears if the printer enforces HTTPS.

3. Select the 'Security' tab, then choose 'Protect Stored Data' in the left navigation menu.
4. Under the 'RAM Disk Settings' section, uncheck the 'Enable RAM Disk' checkbox. This is shown in Figure 5.
5. Click 'Apply'. A printer restart is required to deactivate RAM Disk.
6. Click 'Restart Now'. Alternatively, select 'Restart Later'.
7. The DIMM accessory can now be safely removed from the printer, if desired.

RAM Disk Error 33.03.07

The RAM Disk error 33.03.07 can appear in the BIOS menu under three scenarios:

• If the DIMM accessory is removed from the printer before being disabled via the Embedded Web Server.
• If the DIMM accessory is left off the formatter during a printer repair.
• If the DIMM accessory fails.

In any of these situations, the printer boot process will halt at the pre-boot menu, displaying the '33.03.07 No DIMM Installed' message (Figure 6). This error is also logged in the Event Log (Figure 7).

Supported printers

The following HP printers are supported with RAM Disk functionality, along with their compatible DIMM accessories:

Revision History

For current HP driver, support, and security alerts, visit hp.com/go/support.

Copyright 2021 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Document ID: c06547602ENWW