Improving reception and performance

Wireless LAN radio signals can penetrate many indoor structures and can reflect around obstacles. However, wireless communication range and performance depends on a variety of factors, including the number of users, the quality and physical placement of the wireless hardware, and the sources of radio signal interference. For example, microwave ovens and cordless telephones use similar frequencies that can interfere with wireless LAN signals. In general, the HP Jetdirect wireless print server's data transfer rates decrease with increasing distance, obstructions and interference.

Symptoms

The signal strength is poor or marginal. See the HP Jetdirect configuration page or the HP Embedded Web Server.

Print jobs are excessively slow.

Corrective actions

Re-orient the printer or HP Jetdirect wireless print server. In general, having the print server pointed toward the access point or wireless PC improves reception and performance.

Reduce or remove sources of interference. Metallic objects can absorb or attenuate radio signals, and devices such as microwave ovens and cordless phones operate using similar radio frequencies.

Reduce the distance between the printer and the access point or wireless PC by doing any of the following:

moving the printer

moving the access point or wireless PC

adding an additional access point (Infrastructure mode only)

Elevate the access point's antenna. In most office environments, elevating the access point's antenna improves the range and performance of all wireless devices.

Firmware download failure

As with other HP Jetdirect print servers, firmware upgrades can be downloaded using tools such as HP Download Manager (Microsoft Windows), HP Web Jetadmin, the HP Embedded Web Server, or file transfer protocol (FTP).

If a firmware download failure occurs on an HP Jetdirect wireless print server, simply restart the download process and try again. If it is turned off and then on, the print server regains its previous configuration prior to the download failure.

ENWW

Troubleshooting wireless print servers 137

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HP 640n Print Server manual Improving reception and performance, Firmware download failure, Symptoms, Corrective actions