Lexmark 4600, 3600 manual What is an SSID?, What is a MAC address?

What is an SSID?

A Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the name that identifies a wireless network. All devices on the network must know the SSID of the wireless network or they will not be able to communicate with each other. Usually, the wireless network broadcasts the SSID to allow wireless devices in the area to connect to it. Sometimes, the SSID is not broadcast for security reasons.

An SSID can contain up to 32 alphanumeric characters.

How do I find out what type of security my network is using?

You must know the security key and security mode to properly set up the printer for use on the wireless network. To obtain this information, see the documentation that came with your wireless access point (wireless router), see the Web page associated with the wireless access point (wireless router), or consult your system support person.

Note: The network security key is not the same as the password for the wireless access point (wireless router). The password allows you to access the wireless access point (wireless router) settings. The security key is a WEP key or WPA passphrase that allows printers and computers to join your wireless network.

Can I use my printer on a USB and a wireless connection at the same time?

The printer can be configured in the following ways:

•Locally attached (connected to a computer using a USB cable)

•Wireless network

•Wireless network and locally attached simultaneously

If you want to use the printer as both a wireless and locally attached printer at the same time, you will need to run the setup software again and select the additional connection type.

What is a MAC address?

A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a 48-bit identifier associated with the hardware of network equipment. The MAC address may also be called the physical address because it is connected to the hardware of a device instead of its software. The MAC address is displayed as a hexadecimal number in this format: 01-23-45-67-89-AB.

Every device capable of communicating on a network has a MAC address. Network printers, computers, and routers, whether Ethernet or wireless, all have MAC addresses.

While it is possible to change the MAC address of a network device, it is not common practice to do so. For this reason, MAC addresses are considered permanent. IP addresses are easily changed, so MAC addresses are a more reliable method of identifying a specific device on a network.

Routers with security capabilities may allow filtering of MAC addresses on networks. This allows a managed list of devices to access the network, identified by their MAC addresses. MAC address filtering can help prevent access on the network from unwanted devices, such as from intruders on a wireless network. MAC address filtering can also prevent legitimate access if you forget to add a new device to the router's list of allowed addresses. If your network uses MAC address filtering, be sure to add the MAC address of the printer to the list of allowed devices.

Installing the printer on a wireless network (selected models only)

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