ad hoc mode | A setting for a wireless device that lets it communicate directly with other wireless devices without an access point or router |
ad hoc network | A wireless network that does not use an access point |
AutoIP address | An IP address automatically assigned by a network device. If the device is set to use DHCP, but no DHCP server is available, an AutoIP address may be assigned by the device. |
BSS (Basic Service Set) | Basic Service Set describes the type of wireless network that you are using. The BSS type can be one of the following: infrastructure network or ad-hoc network. |
channel | A specific radio frequency used by two or more wireless devices to communicate with each other. All devices on the network must use the same channel. |
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) | A language used by DHCP servers |
DHCP IP address | An IP address automatically assigned by a DHCP server |
DHCP server | A computer or router that gives a unique IP address to each device on the network. Unique addresses prevent conflicts. |
infrastructure mode | A setting for a wireless device that lets it communicate directly with other wireless devices using an access point or router |
installation cable | Connects the printer to the computer temporarily during some methods of installation. |
internal wireless print server | A device that lets computers and printers communicate with each other over a network without cables |
IP (Internet Protocol) address | The network address of a computer or printer. Each device on the network has its own network address. The address may be assigned manually by you (Static IP address), automatically by the DHCP server (DHCP IP address), or automatically by the device (AutoIP address). |
ipconfig | A command that displays the IP address and other network information of a Windows computer |
MAC (Media Access Control) address | A hardware address that uniquely identifies each device on a network. You can usually find the MAC address printed on the device. |
MAC filtering | A method of limiting access to your wireless network by specifying which MAC addresses may communicate on the network. This setting may be specified on wireless routers or access points. |
network adapter/card | A device that lets computers or printers talk to each other over a network |
network hub | A device that connects multiple devices on a wired network |
network name | See SSID (Service Set Identifier) |
ping | A test to see if your computer can communicate with another device |
printer nickname | The name you assign to your printer so that you and others can identify it on the network |
router | A device that shares a single Internet connection with multiple computers or other devices. The basic router controls network traffic. |
security key | A password, such as a WEP key or a WPA pass phrase, used to make a network secure |
signal strength | Measure of how strongly a transmitted signal is being received |
SSID (Service Set Identifier) | The name of a wireless network. When you connect a printer to a wireless network, the printer needs to use the same SSID as the network. Also referred to as network name or BSS (Basic Service Set). |
Static IP address | An IP address assigned manually by you |
switch | A device similar to a network hub that can connect different networks together |
UAA (Universally Administered Address) | An address assigned to a network printer or print server by the manufacturer. To find the UAA, print a network setup page and look for the UAA listing. |
USB cable | A lightweight, flexible cable that lets the printer communicate with the computer at much higher speeds than parallel cables |
USB port | A small, rectangular port on the back of the computer that connects the peripheral devices using a USB cable, and lets them communicate at high speeds |
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) | A security setting that helps prevent unauthorized access to a wireless network. Other possible security settings are WPA and WPA2. |
Wi-Fi | An industry term that describes the technology used to create an interoperable wireless local area network (WLAN). |
wireless access point | A device that connects wireless devices together to form a wireless network |
wireless router | A router that also serves as a wireless access point |
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) | A security setting that helps prevent unauthorized access to a wireless network. WPA is not supported on ad hoc wireless networks. Other possible security settings are WEP and WPA2. |
WPA2 | A newer version of WPA. Older routers are less likely to support this. Other possible security settings are WPA and WEP. |