An IP address may be assigned by the network using DHCP. The print object, created at the end of the installation, sends all print jobs across the network to the printer using this address.
Many networks have the ability to automatically assign an IP address. Auto-IP is the ability for individual devices to assign themselves a unique IP address. Most networks use DHCP to assign addresses.
During the Direct IP printing installation of printer software, the IP address is visible in the printer list only as it is being assigned. The print object that is created in the Printers folder of the operating system will reference the MAC address of the printer in the port name.
If the IP address is not automatically assigned, you can try manually entering an address after selecting your printer from the available list.