Dell 6dw, V515W, 2dw, 4443 manual Finding the signal strength, Requirements for all devices

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 configured 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

Characteristics

Ad hoc

Communication

Security

Range

Speed

Requirements for all devices

Through wireless access point

More security options

Determined by range and number of wireless access points

Usually faster

Directly between devices

WEP or no security

Restricted to range of individual devices on network

Usually slower

Unique IP address for each device

Mode set to

Same SSID

Same channel

Yes

Infrastructure mode

Yes, including the wireless access point

Yes, including the wireless access point

Yes

Ad hoc mode

Yes

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 security

•Increased reliability

•Faster performance

•Easier setup

Finding the signal strength

Wireless devices have built-in antennas that transmit and receive radio signals. The signal strength listed on the printer network setup page indicates how strongly a transmitted signal is being 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 installed the wireless adapter in your computer, the adapter software probably placed an icon in your system tray. Try double-clicking this icon, and 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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