how to connect an HP 4000 tn printer to a MacBook air

thanks, I was also thinking - I have an old Airport (flying saucer). Can I hook up printer's ethernet cable to the airport, then use WiFi for only printing? I have other WiFi networks for internet. Historical problem is that every time I restart the printer I need to get and add the new printer IP address into the Printer's configuration in system preferences???

I'm trying to get the printer functional for my son in college..... Its a great workhorse of a printer....

ok I got an apple Thunderbolt to ethernet adapter. Plug into MB Air.

create Printer config - with IP from printer.

ran update, still no print.

does print from my Airport Extreme ethernet port???

How can I get HP 4000 to print from an MB Air???

Ok JohnFrej here -

neither the USB to ethernet nor an apple branded thunderbolt to ethernet cable worked. Just would not recognize the JetDirect ethernet coming out of the HP printer. 2 hours on phone with Apple support, no other solution. Then I got a cheap NetGear Wifi Router, with 4 ethernet output jacks and - magic - it worked.

So Wifi from MBA to Netgear, ethernet to HP Printer JetDirect card.

Some effort to get the correct IP address and set up the printer preference. Seems to consistently work for $40.

Solution done