Lexmark X4650 Network Guide - Page 19

How do I attach the installation cable? The installation cable attaches to a USB port on the computer and to the square connector on the back of the printer. This connection allows you to configure the printer for a networked or locally attached installation. 1 Attach the large, rectangular connector to any USB port on your computer. USB ports may be on the front or the back of the computer, and may be horizontal or vertical. 2 Attach the small, square connector to the printer. 3 Continue following the on-screen instructions. Why do I need an installation cable? When setting up the printer on your wireless network, the printer will need to temporarily connect to a computer using the installation cable. This temporary connection is used to set up the wireless settings of the printer. The installation cable connects to a rectangular USB port on the installing computer and the square USB port on the printer. What is the difference between infrastructure and ad hoc networks? 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. Devices on the wireless network must have valid IP addresses for the current network and share the same SSID and channel as the wireless router (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 Ad hoc Characteristics Communication Through wireless access point Directly between devices (wireless router) Security More security options Range Determined by range and number of wireless access points (wireless routers) 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 Yes access point (wireless router) Same channel Yes, including the wireless Yes access point (wireless router) Lexmark recommends setting up a network in infrastructure mode using the installation CD that came with the printer. 19