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First-Time Installation of a Lexmark Series Inkjet Printer in Infrastructure Mode (Wireless Routers and Access Points) |
Document ID:HO3232 |
| 03/12/13 | Properties |
Problem
Solution
The following topics are covered in this article:
- Purpose
- Common Terms
- About Infrastructure Mode
- Macintosh equivalent article
- Before you begin
- Essential Configuration Settings
- Preliminary communication tests
- Other Important Configuration Settings
- Additional AP Setting Information and Sample Settings
- A Microsoft™ Windows Installation walk-thru example (WPS advantages)
- How to Print a Network Settings Page
- Other Installation and Setup Scenarios
- Related Configuration and Wireless Topics
This article aims to provide you with a basic understanding of the concept of infrastructure installation. It also details the critical values required for successful installation and setup with an access point or router wireless environment.
Wireless Router – Access Point (AP)
SSID (Service Set Identifier) – Network name
BSS (Basic Service Set) Type – Ad hoc or Infrastructure
Security Type – WEP, WPA, WPA2
Security Key – Network Key, Passphrase, Password
Gateway – Computer IP Gateway: Router's IP address
Wi-Fi – Wireless Fidelity
PC – clients – computer
RF – Radio Frequency
WPS – Wi-Fi Protected Setup
NOTE: See the Wireless & Networking Glossary for additional information.
Infrastructure Mode is the most common wireless network environment that requires the use of an access point (AP) or router. This mode allows multiple secure wireless connections and offers the fastest data transfers.
Illustration
Click Image to Enlarge
Click here for the equivalent article on infrastructure mode setup in a Macintosh environment.
It is recommended that you confirm the following settings and conditions before attempting to install and configure your printer on a wireless network.
NOTE: If unsure of the following settings, see the proceeding topics and tables below indicating the needed requirements or your router documentation for further assistance.
- Obtain your required wireless router/AP Wi-Fi settings:
- SSID
- Security type
- Network key, passphrase, or password
- Test communication with your router. For example, can you access your router's web configuration utility? See router documentation for further assistance.
- Test network communication with the host computer.
- Print a network settings page – Optional, but recommended if the printer is already turned on and loaded with paper.
- French Telecom (Darty, Free, Alice, N9UF) box owners, click here for special instructions.
- If your computer is connected to the router via an ethernet cable, make sure other wireless clients can communicate over the wireless network.
Essential Wireless Configuration Settings
The table below identifies critical values obtained from the computer, printer or router that are essential to proper configuration and installation of the printer on a wireless network. Table settings in Red below are very important to the installation of the printer, and these settings are important to understanding how your wireless network works.
IMPORTANT! These setting values will be requested by members of Lexmark's support team in the event you subsequently seek additional support assistance. For help with these settings, contact your router manufacturer or refer to your router documentation. Router and security settings are not Lexmark's responsibility.
| Setting | Setting Location | Why is this setting important? |
| Router IP address |
Computer, printer, and router Hint: You can determine your router's IP address by identifying the computer's gateway address. Click here for IPCONFIG instructions. Note: Computer gateway address = printer gateway address (after configuration) = router IP address. |
Unless you using a separate configuration utility application, this setting is required to access your router's web configuration page. See router documentation or consider IPCONFIG procedure. |
| Router Web page User name and Password |
Router Hint! The router manufacturer provides a default user name and password. See router documentation for this value. |
Absolute starting point! SSID, security type and passphrase cannot be obtained without access to your router's configuration utility. Last Resort: See router's documentation for complete reset instructions. Unless you are using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you will have to reconfigure all settings. You will then have to rejoin all wireless devices to the network. Note: Lexmark is not responsible for the maintenance and configuration of wireless networks. This is a function of security on your router or access point. |
| SSID | Router |
This is your network name. The Wireless Setup Utility (WSU) will see your network name during the installation of the printer. |
|
Security Type/Method WEP, WPA, WPA2 |
Router |
Older inkjet printers and manual entry situations will require you to know the security type:
Note: WPA2 (AES) is recommended for security reasons. |
| Security Password, Key or Passphrase | Router |
Critical setting! Improper entry of this value will cause an immediate configuration failure. Failure to accurately enter this value is the number one configuration mistake. Spelling, capitalization, hidden spaces, extra spaces, and symbols all have to be entered properly for the printer to join the wireless network. |
| Channel | Router | Only important if you never properly configured AP security. Duplicate SSIDs are discovered by the WSU or when you are setting up in ad hoc mode. |
Preliminary communication concepts and tests
- Access the router's web page from a wireless client. See router documentation for further assistance.
- Open an Internet connection from a wireless client.
- If enabling multiple clients to access this printer, make sure that every wireless client is able to communicate with the wireless router/AP.
- Inconsistent communication with any wireless device is typically a side-effect of distance, interference with other RF devices, or physical objects that deflect, refract, reflect, absorb, or scatter RF radio waves. Please consult or reference your router's technical resources for ways to improve wireless performance.
- Lexmark recommends a placement of the printer within 300 feet of the router, but certain environmental and technology limitations may limit this distance.
- Do not place the printer too close to the router. A 'doughnut hole' effect exists near the router's antennas in which the signal is limited.
- Maximum transmit power on a router can also create communication problems in congested areas. Consider reducing transmit power on the access point without hindering distance. This is often a side-effect of competing routers running on identical channels within close vicinity of each other.
IMPORTANT! If you do not know your wireless network settings, please consult with the person responsible for setting up your network, or reference your router's technical support resources.
Other Important Configuration Settings
The router or printer settings in this table do not typically need to be considered; however, any variation in these settings may cause a configuration failure.
| Setting or Value | Setting Location | Why is this setting important? |
| DHCP enabled (ON). | Router and Printer |
Administration of a printer TCP/IP address will not take place without this protocol enabled. Router's DHCP server has to assign the printer an IP address. |
| TCP/IP Active (ON | Printer | This protocol is essential to the device communicating on the network |
| MAC Filtering | Router |
Disallows authorization and prevents successful configuration. Click here for router web page example.* |
| Broadcast SSID, Visibility Status or Hide Network. | Router |
Hides router from the Lexmark Setup Utility. Click here for router web page example.* |
| Router/AP Firewall | Router | Click here for router web page example.* |
| MAC (UAA) address (The last six digits are part of the port name and the printer's default SSID.) | Printer's network setting page and back of printer | Critical port identification. Click here for an example. |
|
Special speed boost router settings may not be supported by the printer. Some examples:
|
Router | See router documentation to make sure this setting is interoperable with the 802.11 B, G, N standards (e.g., Some dynamic modes are acceptable). Click here for a router web page illustration. |
| Operating system firewall. | Computer | Operating system firewall exceptions should be automatic, but exceptions may exist. |
Draft-N routers:
|
Router | The printer's wireless adapter requires these radio settings. |
| Third-party software firewalls are the leading cause of configuration failure and, frequently, communication failure after installation. Click here for related articles on firewall issues. | Computer | Select Grant always pertaining to permissions or an equivalent message from the software firewall manufacturer. |
* Location of router settings varies by manufacturer.
Additional AP Setting Information
Click here for instructions on how to access your AP web page.
Please consult your router's web page or User's Guide for further information, and make sure that the access point or wireless radio is turned ON. Click here for an illustration.
| AP Setting | A sample value only |
|
SSID** (Service Set Identifier). Note: Every Wi-Fi device has a default SSID value; however, it is highly recommended that you change the default SSID name to a unique value to differentiate your AP from other APs in your area. |
E.g., macdaddy3 |
| Security Type** (Authentication Type) |
E.g., WEP, WPA – PSK(TKIP), WPA2 – PSK(AES) Note: The router setting WPA2(TKIP and AES) is recommended. |
| Channel** | Note: 1–14 channels are possible. |
|
Password, passphrase, security key, or network key** Security key rules:
WPA-PSK(TKIP) or WPA2-PSK(AES) security keys:
|
E.g., _Hookoo ekoo&2010! Important! Remember spelling, capitalization, hidden spaces, extra spaces, and symbols all have to be entered properly for the printer to join the wireless network. |
| MAC Filtering** | OFF – Accommodate the printer's MAC address to allow the printer to communicate with the router. |
| DHCP enable** | ON – Required for the printer to obtain an IP address. |
| Broadcast SSID** | ON – Required for Lexmark Site Survey to find router SSID. |
| AP Firewall** | OFF – This setting can be turned ON later if the printer's IP address is added to the exceptions list. |
** Refer to your wireless router/access point documentation for further assistance.
** Slight differences in the naming convention of these settings exist between router manufacturers.
Infrastructure Mode installation in Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8
Click here for a sample walk-through procedure.
NOTE: This installation was performed with Microsoft Window's Vista; however, it should prove useful for multiple printer models.
User advantages of WPS-equipped routers:
- You will not require security passphrase.
- You can skip the USB connection step of the setup/installation procedure.
- You can can also skip the first-time setup selection to speed up the installation procedure.
- You will not be burdened with having to remember long complex passwords.
How to Print a Network Settings page
Model or Series Printer or AIO Instructions Z1500 Series Click here X4800 Series Click here X4900 Series Click here X6500 Series Click here X6600 Series Click here Z2400 Series Click here X4600 Series Click here X7500-9500 Series Click here X7600 Series Click here 802.11-N, WPS-equipped 2009-2010 All-In-Ones S500, Pro200, Pro700 Series (Intuition, Prospect, Prevail)
Click here S300, S400 Series (Impact, Interpret)
Click here S600, Pro800, Pro900 Series (Interact, Prestige, Platinum)
Click here
Other Installation and Setup Scenarios
Although not necessary for first-time setup, if your listed default values are different from those in the table below, you may want to do the following:
- If the software is already installed on the computer and the Wi-Fi indicator is blinking orange, run the Wireless Setup Utility. Recommendation: First, print a Network settings page and locate the trouble code and signal strength (Unacceptable, Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent). Consider other changes to router settings, distance, and interference possibilities before performing this procedure.
or
- Review the 'Connection Failed' topics. Click here to access the article.
or
- If the Wi-Fi indicator light is in another state, click here for an article describing Wi-Fi indicator light patterns and Printer Status.
or
- If there is a printer gateway value on the network settings sheet, ping the gateway address from your computer. NOTE: The gateway value is often the IP address of the wireless router or access point.
or
- Perform an ipconfig procedure on your host computer to see if the printer and computer netmask and gateway values match. This helps determine whether or not the printer and computer are on the same network.
Default Network Settings Page Values
| Network Settings Page Value | Default Values |
| TCP/IP Active | ON |
| Enable DHCP | ON |
| Address Source | Manual
|
| BSS Type | Ad hoc (this will change to Infrastructure by the end of the procedure) |
| SSID (network name) |
Print Server 02CD60 (Printer unique) Every Wi-Fi compliant device has its own SSID. This value will change to your router's(network's) |
| UAA - MAC address |
00200002CD60 (printer-unique) Note: The UAA (MAC address) is also located on the back of the printer. |
| IP parameters (address, netmask and gateway). |
|
Related Configuration and Wireless Topics
- Wireless Glossary
- How and When to Rejoin Your Lexmark All-In-One Printer to Your Wireless Network
- Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8: How and When to Create a New Network Printer Port
- Microsoft Windows XP: How and When to Create a New Network Printer Port
- Wireless Troubleshooting Table of Contents
NOTE: Multiple generations of inkjet products are represented in this table of contents. Individual topic searches are still advised before searching this article.
Older table of content collections
NOTE: Search this table of contents if you need installation assistance on first-generation-wireless inkjet products.
Contacting Lexmark
If you need additional assistance, please contact Lexmark Technical Support. NOTE: When calling for support, you will be asked for your machine/model type and serial number (SN).
Please call from near a computer and printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task involving one or all of these devices.