Lexmark X4975 Network Guide - Page 28

2 Attach the small, square connector to the printer. 3 Continue 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 connect to 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 connects directly to a printer equipped with a wireless print server. There is no wireless router or access point in an ad hoc network. 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 Infrastructure Ad hoc Through wireless access point Directly between devices More security options WEP or no security Determined by range and number of wireless access points Restricted to range of individual devices on network Usually faster Usually slower Infrastructure Ad hoc Requirements for all devices Unique IP address for each device Yes Yes Same SSID Yes, including the wireless Yes access point Lexmark recommends setting up a network in infrastructure mode using the installation CD that came with the printer. Infrastructure mode is the recommended setup method because it offers: • Increased network security • Increased reliability • Faster performance • Easier setup Finding the signal strength Wireless devices have built-in antennas that transmit and receive radio signals. The signal strength listed on the printer network setup page indicates how strongly a transmitted signal is being received. Many factors can affect the signal strength. One factor is interference from other wireless devices or other devices such as microwave ovens. Another factor is distance. The farther two wireless devices are from each other, the more likely it is that the communication signal will be weaker. The strength of the signal received by your computer can also affect the connectivity of the printer with the network during configuration. When you installed the wireless adapter in your computer, the adapter software probably placed an icon in your system tray. Try double-clicking this icon, and it will tell you how strongly the computer is receiving the wireless signal from the network. To improve signal quality, remove sources of interference and/or move wireless devices closer to the wireless access point (wireless router). Frequently asked questions 28