Lexmark 30E, Pro900 How are infrastructure and ad hoc networks different?, Infrastructure, Ad hoc

2Attach the small, square connector to the printer.

3Continue following the on-screen instructions.

How are infrastructure and ad hoc networks different?

Wireless networks can operate in one of two modes: infrastructure or ad hoc.

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.

Networking

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