In infrastructure mode, all devices on a wireless network communicate with each other through a wireless router
(wireless access point). Devices on the wireless network must have valid IP addresses for the current network and
share the same SSID and channel as the wireless access point.
In ad hoc mode, a computer with a wireless network adapter communicates directly with a printer equipped with a
wireless print server. The computer must have a valid IP address for the current network and be set to ad hoc mode.
The wireless print server must be configur ed to use the same SSID and channel that the computer is using.
The following table compares the characteristics and requirements of the two types of wireless networks.
Infrastructure Ad hoc
Characteristics
Communication Through wireless access point Directly between devices
Security More security options WEP or no security
Range Determined by range and number of
wireless access points
Restricted to range of individual
devices on network
Speed Usually faster Usually slower
Requirements for all devices
Unique IP address for each device Yes Yes
Mode set to Infrastructure mode Ad hoc mode
Same SSID Yes, including the wireless access
point
Yes
Same channel Yes, including the wireless access
point
Yes
We recommend setting up a network in infrastructure mode using the installation CD that came with the printer.
Infrastructure mode is the recommended setup method because it provides:
•Increased network se curity
•Increased reliability
•Faster performance
•Easier setup
Finding the signal strength
Wireless devices have built-in antennas that transmit an d receive radio signals. The si gnal strength listed on t he
printer network setup page indicates how strongly a transmitted signal is bei ng received. Many factors can affect
the signal strength. One factor is interference from other wireless devices or other devices such as microwave ovens.
Another factor is distance. The farther two wireless devices are from each other, the more likely it is that the
communication signal will be weaker.
The strength of the signal received by your computer can also affect the connectivity of the printer with the network
during configuration. When you install ed the wireless adapter in your computer, the adapter so ftware probably
placed an icon in your system tray. Try double- clicking this icon, an d it will tell you how strongly the computer is
receiving the wireless signal from the network.
To improve signal quality, remove sources of interference and/or move wireless devices closer to the wireless access
point (wireless router).
Networking
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