Lexmark X4690 User's Guide - Page 47

2 Attach the small, square connector to the printer. 3 Continue following the on-screen instructions. 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. Characteristics Communication Security Range Speed Requirements for all devices Unique IP address for each device Mode set to Same SSID Infrastructure Ad hoc Through wireless access point (wireless router) Directly between devices More security options Determined by range and number of Restricted to range of individual wireless access points (wireless devices on network routers) Usually faster Usually slower Yes Infrastructure mode Yes, including the wireless access point (wireless router) Yes Ad hoc mode Yes Installing the printer on a wireless network (selected models only) 47