Creating an ad hoc wireless network

You can set up an ad hoc network if you:

• Do not have an access point or wireless router.

• Do not have a wireless network (but do have a wireless network adapter for your computer).

• Want to set up a standalone network between the printer and a computer with a wireless network adapter.

Notes:

• Before you begin, make sure your wireless network adapter is properly attached to your computer and is working.
• The recommended way to set up your wireless network is to use an access point (wireless router). This network setup is called infrastructure network.
• If your computer has My WiFi or Wi-Fi Direct, then you can create direct connections to your wireless printer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your computer.
• The printer can communicate on only one wireless network at a time. Configuring the printer for an ad hoc wireless network will keep it from working on any other wireless network, either ad hoc or infrastructure.

In Windows Vista or later

1. Click  > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.

2. Click Set up a connection or network > Set up a wireless ad-hoc (computer-to-computer) network > Next.

3. Follow the instructions for setting up a wireless ad hoc network.

   As part of the setup:

   1. Create a network name or SSID for the network between the computer and your printer.

   2. Write down the name of your network. Make sure you copy it exactly, including any capital letters.

   3. From the Security Type list, select WEP or WPA2-Personal, and then create a WEP key or WPA/WPA2 pre-shared key/passphrase.

      WEP keys must be:

      • Exactly 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters

        or

      • Exactly 5 or 13 ASCII characters

      WPA/WPA2 pre-shared keys/passphrases must be:

      • Exactly 64 hexadecimal characters

        or

      • From 8 to 63 ASCII characters

      Notes:

      • Hexadecimal characters are A–F, a–f, and 0–9.
      • ASCII characters are letters, numbers, and symbols found on a keyboard. ASCII characters in a WPA/WPA2 pre-shared key/passphrase are case-sensitive.

   4. Write down the password for your network. Make sure you copy it exactly, including any capital letters.

   Windows Vista will enable the ad hoc network for you. It will appear in the “Connect to a network” dialog under “Available networks,” indicating that the computer is configured for the ad hoc network.

4. Close the Windows Control Panel and any remaining windows.

5. Insert the installation software CD, and then follow the directions for wireless installation.

   Note: Do not connect the installation or network cables until instructed to do so by the setup software.

6. When the available networks are displayed, provide the network name and the security information you created. The installer will configure the printer for use with your computer.

7. Store a copy of your network name and security information in a safe place for future reference.

Note: You may need to reconnect Windows Vista computers to the ad hoc network after restarting.

In Windows XP

1. Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.

2. Right-click the icon for your wireless network connection.

3. Click Enable, if it appears in the pop-up menu.

   Note: If Disable appears, then your wireless connection is already enabled.

4. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon.

5. Click Properties > Wireless Networks tab.

   Note: If the Wireless Networks tab does not appear, then 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.

6. Select the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box.

7. Under Preferred Networks, delete any existing networks.

   Select a network, and then click Remove to delete the network from the list.

8. Click Add to create an ad hoc network.

9. In the Network Name (SSID) box, type the name you want to give your wireless network.

10. Write down the network name you chose so you can refer to it when running the wireless setup. Make sure you copy it exactly, including any capital letters.

11. If Network Authentication appears in the list, then select Open.

12. In the “Data encryption” list, select WEP.

13. If necessary, clear the “The key is provided for me automatically” check box.

14. In the Network Key box, type a WEP key.

15. Write down the WEP key you chose so you can refer to it when running the wireless setup. Make sure you copy it exactly, including any capital letters.

16. In the “Confirm network key” box, type the same WEP key.

17. Select This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used.

18. Click OK twice to close the two open windows.

19. It may take a few minutes for your computer to recognize the new settings. To check the status of your network:

    1. Right-click the Wireless Network Connections icon.

    2. Select View Available Wireless Networks.

       • If the network is listed but the computer is not connected, then select the ad hoc network, and then click Connect.

       • If the network does not appear, wait a moment, and then click Refresh network list.

20. Insert the installation software CD, and then follow the directions for wireless installation.

    Note: Do not connect the installation or network cables until instructed to do so by the setup software.

21. When the available networks are displayed, provide the network name and the security information you created. The installer will configure the printer for use with your computer.

22. Store a copy of your network name and security information in a safe place for future reference.

For Macintosh users

1. Access the Airport settings:

   In Mac OS X version 10.5 or later

   From the Apple menu, navigate to:

   System Preferences > Network > AirPort

   In Mac OS X version 10.4 or earlier

   From the Finder, navigate to:

   Applications > Internet Connect > AirPort

2. From the Network Name or Network menu, click Create Network.

3. Create a name for the ad hoc network, and then click OK.

Note: Store the network name and password in a safe place for future reference.

Adding a printer to an existing ad hoc wireless network

For Windows users

1. Click or Start.

2. Click All Programs or Programs, and then select the printer program folder from the list.

3. Navigate to:

   Printer Home > select your printer > Settings tab > Wireless setup utility

4. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

For Macintosh users

1. From the Applications folder in the Finder, or from the Finder desktop, double-click the printer folder.

2. Double-click Wireless Setup Assistant.

3. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

Configuring the printer wirelessly using WPS (Windows only)

With Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), it is easy to add computers or printers to your wireless network because the SSID and WPA passphrase are automatically detected and configured for you.

1. Make sure your access point (wireless router) supports WPS.

2. Insert the installation software CD and follow the instructions on the computer screen.

Notes:

• If you are using the PIN method to add your printer using WPS, then make sure you type all eight digits when you are asked to enter your PIN.
• To use WPS to configure the printer wirelessly, all of the devices on your wireless network must support WPS. If any device on your network does not support WPS, then you must type the SSID and security information when prompted.

Configuring Wi-Fi Protected Setup manually

If your printer or device has not yet been configured for wireless connection and you want to configure it using WPS, then push the WPS button on the wireless router. Wait for the printer control panel to display a message to begin WPS configuration. There might be a short delay before the message appears. If nothing happens after 30 seconds, then do one of the following:

Use the Push Button Configuration (PBC) method

1. From the printer control panel, navigate to:

    > Setup >  > Network Setup >  > Wireless 802.11b/g/n >  > Network Connection Setup >  > Wireless >  > Wi-Fi Protected Setup >  > WPS PBC Mode >

2. Follow the instructions on the printer display.

Use the Personal Identification Number (PIN) method

1. From the printer control panel, navigate to:

    > Setup >  > Network Setup >  > Wireless 802.11b/g/n >  > Network Connection Setup >  > Wireless >  > Wi-Fi Protected Setup >  > WPS PIN Mode >

2. Follow the instructions on the printer display.

Switching between USB, Ethernet, and wireless connections (Windows only)

You can change the way you access your printer, depending on your needs. The following procedures assume that you have configured your printer for one type of connection and that the printer drivers are installed on the computer. See related topics on troubleshooting specific connection types if you encounter difficulties during configuration.

Using the printer wirelessly

Select the connection type that describes how you currently access your printer:

If the printer is currently set up locally (using USB connection)

1. Click or Start.

2. Click All Programs or Programs, and then select the printer program folder from the list.

3. Navigate to:

   Printer Home > select your printer > Settings tab > Wireless setup utility

4. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

Note: There is no need to remove the USB cable connecting the printer to the computer during wireless configuration.

If the printer is currently set up for Ethernet

1. Unplug the Ethernet cable from the printer.

2. Place the printer close to the computer you want to use to configure the printer for wireless access.

   Note: You will need to connect the printer to the computer with a USB cable. Make sure the printer is close enough to the computer for your USB cable to reach both.

3. Click or Start.

4. Click All Programs or Programs, and then select the printer program folder from the list.

5. Navigate to:

   Printer Home > select your printer > Settings tab > Wireless setup utility

6. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

Using the printer locally (USB)

Select the connection type that describes how you currently access your printer:

If the printer is currently set up for Ethernet

1. Attach a USB cable to the computer and to the printer.

2. Wait a moment for Windows to locate the driver and finish setting up the printer.

3. Select the USB printer. See Selecting the printer.

If the printer is currently set up for wireless

1. Attach a USB cable to the computer and to the printer.

2. Wait a moment for Windows to locate the driver and finish setting up the printer.

3. Select the USB printer. See Selecting the printer.

Note: You can continue to use the printer through Ethernet or wireless connection.

Using the printer over an Ethernet network

Select the connection type that describes how you currently access your printer:

If the printer is currently set up for wireless

1. Plug an Ethernet cable into the printer and into an available port on a switch or wall jack.

2. Wait one minute for the Ethernet network adapter to become active and acquire an IP address from the network.

3. Select the Network printer. See Selecting the printer.

Note: The wireless adapter of the printer is disabled while it is connected to an Ethernet network.

If the printer is currently set up locally (using USB connection)

1. Plug an Ethernet cable into the printer and into an available port on a switch or wall jack.

2. Insert the installation software CD into the computer you want to use to configure the printer.

3. Follow the instructions on the computer screen for configuring a printer on an Ethernet network.

4. Select the Network printer. See Selecting the printer.

Note: You will need a USB cable to complete the configuration.

Selecting the printer

1. Open the printers folder.

   1. Click or Start.

   2. In the Start Search or Run box, type control printers.

   3. Press Enter, or click OK.

2. Right-click the printer you want to use (Network or USB).

3. Select Set as Default Printer from the menu.

4. Close the “Printers” or “Printers and Faxes” window.

Switching between USB, Ethernet, and wireless connections (Macintosh only)

You can change the way you access your printer depending on your needs. The following procedures assume that you have configured your printer for one type of connection and that the drivers are installed on the computer. See related topics on troubleshooting specific connection types if you encounter difficulties during configuration.

Using the printer wirelessly

Select the connection type that describes how you currently access your printer:

If the printer is currently set up locally (using USB connection)

1. Close all open applications.

2. Insert the installation software CD.

   If the installation dialog does not appear after a minute, then click the CD icon on the desktop.

3. Double-click Lexmark Extras > Lexmark Setup Assistant.

4. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

Note: There is no need to remove the USB cable connecting the printer to the computer during wireless configuration.

If the printer is currently set up for Ethernet

1. Unplug the Ethernet cable from the printer.

2. Place the printer close to the computer you want to use to configure the printer for wireless access.

   Note: You will need to connect the printer to the computer with a USB cable. Make sure the printer is close enough to the computer for your USB cable to reach both.

3. Close all open applications.

4. Insert the installation software CD.

   If the installation dialog does not appear after a minute, then click the CD icon on the desktop.

5. Double-click Lexmark Extras > Lexmark Setup Assistant.

6. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

7. A second print queue will be created. Remove the Ethernet queue if you do not want to switch back to accessing the printer over an Ethernet connection.

Using the printer locally (USB)

Select the connection type that describes how you currently access your printer:

If the printer is currently set up for Ethernet

1. Firmly plug the square end of the USB cable into the back of the printer.

2. Firmly plug the rectangular end of the USB cable into the USB port of the computer.

3. Add the printer. See Adding the printer.

4. A second print queue will be created. Remove the Ethernet queue if you do not want to switch back to accessing the printer over an Ethernet connection.

If the printer is currently set up for wireless

1. Attach a USB cable to the computer and to the printer.

2. Add the printer. See Adding the printer.

3. A second print queue will be created. Remove the wireless queue if you do not want to switch back to accessing the printer over a wireless connection.

Using the printer over an Ethernet network

Select the connection type that describes how you currently access your printer:

If the printer is currently set up for wireless

1. Plug an Ethernet cable into the printer and to an available port on a switch or wall jack.

2. Wait a minute for the Ethernet network adapter to become active and acquire an IP address from the network.

3. Add the printer. See Adding the printer.

4. A second print queue will be created. Remove the wireless queue if you do not want to switch back to accessing the printer over a wireless network.

If the printer is currently set up locally (using USB connection)

1. Plug an Ethernet cable into the printer and to an available port on a switch or wall jack.

2. Insert the installation software CD into the computer you want to use to configure the printer.

3. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

   Note: You will need a USB cable to complete the configuration.

Adding the printer

In Mac OS X version 10.5 or later

1. From the Apple menu, navigate to:

   System Preferences > Print & Fax

2. Click +.

3. Click the Default or Default Browser tab, and then select your printer.

4. Click Add.

In Mac OS X version 10.4 or earlier

1. From the Finder, choose Utilities.

2. Double-click Printer Setup Utility or Print Center.

3. From the Printer List dialog, choose the printer you want to use, and then click Add.

4. From the Printer Browser, select your printer, and then click Add.

Sharing a printer in a Windows environment

1. Prepare the computers to share the printer:

   1. Make all computers printing to the printer accessible through Network Neighborhood by enabling File and Print Sharing. See the Windows documentation for instructions on enabling File and Print Sharing.

   2. Install the printer software on all computers that will print to the printer.

2. Identify the printer:

   1. On the computer that is attached to the printer, open the printers folder:

      1. Click , or click Start and then click Run.

      2. In the Start Search or Run box, type control printers.

      3. Press Enter, or click OK.

   2. Right-click the name of your printer.

   3. Click Sharing or Printer Properties.

   4. From the Sharing tab, select Share this printer or Shared as.

   5. Assign a distinctive name, and then click OK.

3. Locate the printer from the remote computer:

   Note: The remote computer is the one that is not attached to the printer.

   1. Open the printers folder:

      1. Click , or click Start and then click Run.

      2. In the Start Search or Run box, type control printers.

      3. Press Enter, or click OK.

   2. Right-click the name of your printer.

   3. Click Properties or Printer properties.

   4. Click Ports > Add Port > Local Port > New Port.

   5. Type the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) Port Name, which consists of the server name and the distinctive printer name that was specified in step 2. The name should be in the form \\server\printer.

   6. Click OK.

   7. Click Close on the Printer Ports dialog.

   8. Make sure the new port is selected on the Ports tab, and then click Apply.

   9. Click OK.

Sharing a printer in a Macintosh environment

1. From the Finder, choose Help > Mac Help.

2. In the Search field, type sharing the printer on a network, and then press return.

3. Select only one of the following:

   • Sharing your printer with Mac OS X users—Let other Macintosh computers on the network that use Mac OS X version 10.4 or later use any printer connected to your Macintosh computer.

   • Sharing your printer with Windows users—Let Windows computers on the network use any printer connected to your Macintosh computer.

4. Follow the instructions on the computer screen.

Configuring security

Simple wireless networks require WEP keys or a WPA/WPA2 passphrase, or may not have any security at all. More-advanced wireless network security can require one or more certificates and an authentication server. If the network requires a certificate and you do not have it, fill out the certificate request form provided within the Wireless Setup Utility and follow your organization's procedures for requesting a certificate for network access.

Following is the list of supported types of wireless network security and their requirements.

WEP

• WEP key (up to four keys may be required)

• Default WEP Transmit Key (if more than one WEP key is configured, this specifies which one to use)

WPA Personal, WPA2-Personal or WPA2-Enterprise

• Pre-shared key

• Encryption (AES or TKIP)

EAP-MD5, MSCHAPv2, or LEAP

• RADIUS user name

• RADIUS password

PEAP

• RADIUS user name

• RADIUS password

• CA certificate

EAP-TLS

• RADIUS user name

• RADIUS password

• CA certificate

• Signed certificate

EAP-TTLS

• appropriate inner authentication

• RADIUS user name

• RADIUS password

• CA certificate

Configuring 802.1X Authentication

The information you must complete is dependent on the 802.1X security mechanism you select. Some require user names, passwords, and/or certificates. If your network contains multiple access points with different modes of authentication, then you can select and configure more than one authentication mechanism.

1. From the Configure 802.1X Authentication dialog, type the user name and password for the authentication server.

2. Confirm the password, and then check the selected authentication mechanism.

   If you have selected	Do this
   EAP-MD5, LEAP, or MSCHAPv2	Proceed to the next step.
   PEAP or EAP-TTLS	Click Install CA Certificate, and then type the path to the CA certificate, or click Browse to locate the certificate file.
   EAP-TLS	Click Install Signed Certificate, and then type the path to the signed certificate, or click Browse to locate the certificate file. Click Install CA Certificate, and then type the path to the CA certificate, or click Browse to locate the certificate file.

   
   

3. Click OK, and then follow the instructions on the computer screen.