Lexmark X4650 User Manual

							6Click Enable, if it appears in the pop-up menu.
Note: If Enable does not appear, your wireless connection is already enabled.
7Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon.
8Click Properties.
9Click the Wireless Networks tab.
Note: If the Wireless Networks tab does not appear, your computer has third-party software that controls your
wireless settings. You must use that software to set up the ad hoc wireless network. For more information, see
the documentation for the third-party software to learn how to create an ad hoc network.
10Select the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box.
11Under Preferred Networks, delete any existing networks.
aSelect the network to be removed.
bClick Remove to delete the network from the list.
12Click Add to create an ad hoc network.
13In the Network Name (SSID) box, type the name you want to give your wireless network.
14Write down the network name you chose so you can refer to it when running the wireless setup. Make sure you
copy the exact spelling and capitalization.
SSID (name of your wireless network)
15If Network Authentication appears in the list, then select Open.
16In the “Data encryption” list, select WEP.
Note: Security is optional for ad hoc networks. The range of an ad hoc network is much less than the range of
an infrastructure network, making it less likely that intruders will connect to it without your knowledge.
17If necessary, clear the “The key is provided for me automatically” check box.
18In the Network Key box, type in a security key.
19Write down the security key you chose so you can refer to it when running the wireless utility. Make sure you
copy the exact spelling and capitalization.
Security key (if network is secure)
Note: For more information about passwords (security keys), see “Check your security keys” in the “Wireless
troubleshooting” section of the Troubleshooting chapter.
20In the “Confirm network key” box, type the same security key.
21Select This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used..
22Click OK twice to close the two open windows.
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							23It may take a few minutes for your computer to recognize the new settings. To check on the status of your network:
aRight-click the Wireless Network Connections icon.
bSelect View Available Wireless Networks.
If the network is listed but the computer is not connected, select the ad hoc network and then click
Connect.
If the network does not appear, wait a minute and then click Refresh network list.
24If this is the first time you will be setting up the printer for use on a wireless network, insert the installation software
CD, and then follow the instructions on the Welcome screen.
Otherwise:
aClick Start.
bClick All Programs or Programs.
cSelect the printer program folder from the list, and then click Tools  Lexmark Wireless Setup Utility.
25When the available networks are displayed, provide the network name and the security information you created
in steps 11-16. The utility will configure the printer for use with your computer.
26Store a copy of your network name and security information in a safe place for future reference.
Using Macintosh
1Make sure the computer is on.
2Create a network name.
For Mac OS X version 10.5
a
From the Finder desktop, click   System Preferences.
bClick Network.
cClick AirPort.
dFrom the Network Name pop-up menu, click Create Network.
eCreate a name for your ad hoc network, and then click OK.
For Mac OS X version 10.4 and earlier
a
From the Finder desktop, click Go  Applications.
bFrom the Applications folder, double-click Internet Connect.
cFrom the toolbar, click AirPort.
dFrom the Network pop-up menu, click Create Network.
eCreate a name for your ad hoc network, and then click OK.
3Write down the network name you chose so you can refer to it when running the wireless utility. Make sure you
copy the exact spelling and capitalization.
SSID (name of your wireless network)
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							4If this is the first time you will be setting up the printer for use on a wireless network, insert the installation software
CD, double-click the installer icon for your printer on the Finder desktop, and then follow the instructions on the
Welcome screen.
Otherwise, from the Finder desktop, double-click the printer folder, and then double-click Lexmark Wireless
Setup Assistant.
5When prompted, provide the network name and/or the security information you created.
The utility will configure the printer for use with your computer.
6Store a copy of your network name and security information in a safe place for future reference.
Adding a printer to an existing ad hoc wireless network
Using Windows
1Do one of the following:
In Windows Vista, click .
In Windows XP and earlier, click Start.
2Click All Programs or Programs, and then select the printer program folder from the list.
3Click Lexmark Wireless Setup Utility.
4Follow the instructions on the Welcome screen.
Using Macintosh
1From the Finder desktop, double-click the printer folder.
2Double-click Lexmark Wireless Setup Assistant.
3Follow the instructions on the Welcome screen.
Frequently asked questions
What is a network?
A network is a collection of devices such as computers, printers, Ethernet hubs, wireless access points, and routers
connected together for communication through cables or through a wireless connection. A network can be wired,
wireless, or designed to have both wired and wireless devices.
Devices on a wired network use cables to communicate with each other.
Devices on a wireless network use radio waves instead of cables to communicate with each other. For a device to be
able to communicate wirelessly, it must have a wireless print server attached or installed that lets it receive and
transmit radio waves.
How are home networks configured?
For desktop computers, laptops, and printers to communicate with each other over a network, they must be
connected by cables and/or have wireless network adapters built in or installed in them.
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							There are different ways a network can be set up. Five common examples appear below.
Note: The printers in the following diagrams represent printers with internal print servers built in to them so that
they can communicate over a network.
Wired network example
A desktop computer, a laptop, and a printer are connected by Ethernet cables to a hub, router, or switch.
The network is connected to the Internet through a DSL or a cable modem.
Internet
Wireless network examples
Four common wireless networks are:
Scenario 1: Laptop and printer connected wirelessly with Internet
Scenario 2: Desktop computer, laptop, and printer connected wirelessly with Internet
Scenario 3: Desktop computer, laptop, and printer connected wirelessly without Internet
Scenario 4: Laptop connected wirelessly to printer without Internet
Scenario 1: Laptop and printer connected wirelessly with Internet

A desktop computer is connected to a wireless router by an Ethernet cable.
A laptop and a printer are connected wirelessly to the router.
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							The network is connected to the Internet through a DSL or a cable modem.
Internet
Scenario 2: Desktop computer, laptop, and printer connected wirelessly with Internet

A desktop computer, a laptop, and a printer are connected wirelessly to a wireless router.
The network is connected to the Internet through a DSL or a cable modem.
Internet
Scenario 3: Desktop computer, laptop, and printer connected wirelessly without
Internet

A desktop computer, a laptop, and a printer are connected wirelessly to a wireless access point (wireless router).
The network has no connection to the Internet.
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							Scenario 4: Laptop connected wirelessly to printer without Internet

A laptop is directly connected wirelessly to a printer without going through a wireless router.
The network has no connection to the Internet.
This configuration is referred to as an ad hoc network.
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.
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.
1Attach 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.
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							2Attach the small, square connector to the printer.
3Continue 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.
InfrastructureAd hoc
Characteristics
CommunicationThrough wireless access point
(wireless router)Directly between devices
SecurityMore security options
RangeDetermined by range and number of
wireless access points (wireless
routers)Restricted to range of individual
devices on network
SpeedUsually fasterUsually slower
Requirements for all devices
Unique IP address for each deviceYesYes
Mode set toInfrastructure modeAd hoc mode
Same SSIDYes, including the wireless access
point (wireless router)Yes
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							InfrastructureAd hoc
Same channelYes, including the wireless access
point (wireless router)Yes
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 has:
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).
How can I improve wireless signal strength?
A common reason wireless printers fail to communicate over a network is poor wireless signal quality. If the signal
is too weak, too distorted, or blocked by an object, it cannot carry information between the access point and the
printer. To determine if the printer is receiving a strong signal from the access point, print a network setup page. The
Quality field indicates the relative strength of the wireless signal the printer is receiving. Drops in signal strength can
be intermittent, however, and although the signal quality appears high, it may drop during certain conditions.
If you think signal strength is a problem between your access point and the printer, try one or more of the following:
Notes:
For ad hoc networks, adjust the computer where the access point is indicated.
Ad hoc networks have a much shorter range than infrastructure networks. Try moving the printer closer to the
computer if they seem to have trouble communicating.
MOVE THE PRINTER CLOSER TO THE WIRELESS ACCESS POINT/WIRELESS ROUTER
If the printer is too far away from the access point, it will not be able to communicate with other devices on the
network. For most indoor wireless networks, the maximum distance between the access point and the printer is
approximately 100 feet (30 meters). This distance could be longer or shorter, depending upon the layout of the
network and the limitations of the access point.
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							REMOVE OBSTACLES BETWEEN THE ACCESS POINT AND THE PRINTER
The wireless signal from your access point will pass through most objects. Most walls, floors, furniture and other
objects will not block the wireless signal. However, there are materials that are too dense for the signal to pass
through. Objects containing metal and concrete can block the signal, including:
Cubicle walls
Ducts
Window frames
Poles and interior support columns
Metal office furniture and cabinets
Elevators
Steel doors
Walls and other structural elements reinforced by rebar
Arrange your printer and access point so that the signal is not blocked by any of these objects.
REMOVE SOURCES OF INTERFERENCE
Other types of radio frequencies can cause problems with the wireless signal on your network. These sources of
interference can cause printing issues that seem to come and go. Some common sources of interference are:
Cordless phones
Microwave ovens
Refrigerators and other appliances
Bluetooth devices
Other wireless networks
Motors
Turn off these potential sources of interference where possible. Avoid using microwaves and cordless phones
when printing over your wireless network.
If another wireless network is operating in the vicinity, change the wireless channel on the access point.
Do not place your access point on a printer. Printers can also interfere with the wireless signal.
ARRANGE THE NETWORK TO REDUCE SIGNAL ABSORPTION
Even when the wireless signal is able to pass through an object, it is slightly weakened. If it passes through too
many objects, it can be significantly weakened. All objects absorb part of the wireless signal when it passes through
them, but certain types of objects absorb enough to cause communications problems. To avoid signal absorption,
avoid placing the following items between your access point and your printer:
Stacks of paper or books
Multiple walls or floors
Crowds of people
Objects containing water, such as fish tanks
Plants
Place your access point as high in the room as possible to avoid signal absorption.
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							What is an SSID?
A Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the name that identifies a wireless network. All devices on the network must know the
SSID of the wireless network or they will not be able to communicate with each other. Usually, the wireless network
broadcasts the SSID to allow wireless devices in the area to connect to it. Sometimes, the SSID is not broadcast for
security reasons.
An SSID can contain up to 32 alphanumeric characters.
How do I find out what type of security my network is using?
You must know the security key and security mode to properly set up the printer for use on the wireless network. To
obtain this information, see the documentation that came with your wireless access point (wireless router), see the
Web page associated with the wireless access point (wireless router), or consult your system support person.
Note: The network security key is not the same as the password for the wireless access point (wireless router). The
password allows you to access the wireless access point (wireless router) settings. The security key is a WEP key or
WPA passphrase that allows printers and computers to join your wireless network.
Can I use my printer on a USB and a wireless connection at the same
time?
The printer can be configured in the following ways:
Locally attached (connected to a computer using a USB cable)
Wireless network
Wireless network and locally attached simultaneously
If you want to use the printer as both a wireless and locally attached printer at the same time, you will need to run
the setup software again and select the additional connection type.
What is a MAC address?
A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a 48-bit identifier associated with the hardware of network equipment. The
MAC address may also be called the physical address because it is connected to the hardware of a device instead of
its software. The MAC address is displayed as a hexadecimal number in this format: 01-23-45-67-89-AB.
Every device capable of communicating on a network has a MAC address. Network printers, computers, and routers,
whether Ethernet or wireless, all have MAC addresses.
While it is possible to change the MAC address of a network device, it is not common practice to do so. For this reason,
MAC addresses are considered permanent. IP addresses are easily changed, so MAC addresses are a more reliable
method of identifying a specific device on a network.
Routers with security capabilities may allow filtering of MAC addresses on networks. This allows a managed list of
devices to access the network, identified by their MAC addresses. MAC address filtering can help prevent access on
the network from unwanted devices, such as from intruders on a wireless network. MAC address filtering can also
prevent legitimate access if you forget to add a new device to the router's list of allowed addresses. If your network
uses MAC address filtering, be sure to add the MAC address of the printer to the list of allowed devices.
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