 |
» |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HP Jetdirect Wireless Setup Wizard - Configuring HP Jetdirect Wireless Print Servers
Introduction
This document contains instructions for using the Wireless setup Wizard to configure HP Jetdirect Wireless print servers. In addition, the help screens of the Wireless Setup Wizard have very useful steps and information. Be sure to refer to those as you are using the software. |
NOTE:
|
This software will not work with the WP110 wireless print server. |
Welcome
Figure 1: Welcome screen
The Wizard will first ask about the following wireless network settings:
Communication mode
. This will be either ad hoc (peer-to-peer) or infrastructure (using a wireless access point).
Network name (SSID)
. SSID names are case sensitive. Be careful about capitalization.
Authentication methods
. Authentication is what identifies the network user, and includes methods such as open system (no authentication), shared key, or EAP/802.1x. Be prepared to enter any protocol information, user identification, server information, and certificates that are appropriate for your network.
Encryption settings
. Encryption is what encodes the information on your network. Be prepared to enter any encryption keys and dynamic encryption settings used on your network.
It is highly recommended to write down the wireless settings for the computer. The Wizard will ask for them during the setup of the wireless printer. In addition, the Wireless Setup Wizard will try to change the computer's wireless settings in order to communicate with the printer; having those settings written down will make it easier to re-enter them at the end of the process, so that the computer can comminucate on the network again.
Wireless Computer Configuration Options
One of the two following screens will be shown, depending on the wireless hardware being used:
Auto-detect wireless settings
A screen with wireless configuration options appears if the Wizard determines that it can change the settings on the computer's wireless card automatically (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Wireless Computer Configuration Options screen
Select one of the following options:
Manually change wireless settings
The Change Wireless Settings screen appears if Let me manually change my settings
was selected in the previous screen, or if the Wizard was unable to change the settings automatically. To manually change the settings, use the configuration utilities provided with the computer's wireless network interface card (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Change Wireless Settings screen
When turned on and initialized, a new HP Jetdirect print server has the following factory-default wireless settings; change the computer's wireless settings to match them:
A new HP Jetdirect wireless print server can detect and communicate only with other devices that have these wireless network settings.
After reconfiguring the wireless computer to match the print server's wireless network settings, click Next
.
Searching for a wireless printer
Figure 4: Searching for available wireless printers
The Wizard is searching for a wireless printer that it can configure. This might take a couple of minutes.
No Wireless Printers Found
Figure 5: No Wireless Printers Found screen
If a No Wireless Printers Found screen appears, try these troubleshooting steps:
Search again. Click Retry
. The HP Jetdirect wireless print server takes a couple of minutes to initialize after power is applied. The print server might not have been ready if the printer was turned on or the print server was plugged in just before searching
Make sure that the printer and print servers are turned on.
Verify that the computer's wireless settings are correct. The following settings should be set for communicating with the wireless printer:
Verify that the print server is actually set to its factory default settings. If the print server was previously configured, it might need to be reset to the factory default settings. Check the print server's configuration by printing a Jetdirect configuration page. (Depending on the model of HP Jetdirect, use either the control panel of the printer or the Test button on the print server.) The 802.11 Wireless section of the Jetdirect configuration page will show the print server's wireless configuration settings. If it is necessary to reset the print server to its factory default settings, see the section of the print server documentation on "resetting to factory defaults" or "cold reset".
Move the printer and the computer closer together. If the computer and the printer are far apart, try moving them closer together. If possible, provide a clear path between the computer and print server, and minimize sources of radio interference. Also check the print server's Wireless LEDs or the Jetdirect configuration page for signal strength. Click Retry
to search again.
Identify Wireless Printer
Figure 6: Identify Wireless Printer screen
The Identify Wireless Printer screen lists all of the printers found by the Wizard. It is possible to choose a printer from this list and configure it for use on a wireless network, using the dialog boxes shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8. Select a printer for configuration by clicking on it in the list. Then click Next
to continue.
|
NOTE:
|
If the HP Jetdirect print server was preconfigured with an SNMP Set Community Name or Administrative Password (for example, by the Network Administrator), a prompt will appear requesting those values (see Figure 7). They will need to be entered before continuing. |
Figure 7: Jetdirect Administrator Password dialog box
Figure 8: SNMP Set Community Name dialog box
Wireless Settings
Figure 9: Wireless Settings screen
Enter the network's wireless settings, starting with this screen. The Wizard will use this information to configure the wireless printer for communication on the network.
Communication Mode
Figure 10: Communication Mode setting
The communication mode defines how devices, such as computers and printers, communicate on a wireless network. Choose one of the following options:
Infrastructure (Access Point): In Infrastructure mode, the wireless printer will communicate with network computers through a wireless access point. The access point acts as a central hub, bridge, or gateway connecting wireless and, optionally, wired devices. In Infrastructure mode, all wireless communication between network devices goes through an access point.
|
NOTE:
|
If the printer will connect through a wireless residential gateway or bridge that provides access point functions, choose Infrastructure
mode. |
Ad Hoc (Peer-to-Peer): In Ad Hoc mode (factory default), wireless network devices communicate with each other directly, rather than through an access point. Ad Hoc topology is usually limited to simple, small wireless networks because performance degrades significantly after about six network devices.
Channel (Ad Hoc mode only)
Figure 11: Channel setting
The Channel setting defines the channel that the print server will use to advertise itself if it initially fails to associate with the specified network. The factory-default setting is channel 10.
|
NOTE:
|
In most cases, it will not be necessary to select a channel for the HP Jetdirect print server because the print server will scan and automatically set the channel. |
In Ad Hoc mode, the print server will initially scan on all channels for the network specified by the Network Name (SSID) parameter. If successful, the print server will automatically associate itself with the network's channel. If it fails, however, the print server will repeatedly perform the following sequence until it successfully associates with the specified network:
Actively broadcasts the specified network name using the channel selected in the Channel setting.
Passively scans on all channels for the specified network. If successful, it will use the network's channel.
In Infrastructure mode, the Channel setting is disabled. The print server's channel is controlled by the access point to which it connects.
Network Name (SSID)
Figure 12: Network Name setting
A Network Name (or Service Set Identifier, or SSID) is an alphanumeric character string that provides basic access control to a wireless network. It can also be used to logically segment a wireless subgroup of users and devices. In Infrastructure mode, the Jetdirect print server must be configured with the same Network Name (SSID) used by the access point through which it connects to the network. Note the following tips:
It is possible to enter a new SSID entry, or select an existing one in the drop-down list. Up to 12 of the most recently detected SSIDs might be listed.
The SSID entry is case-sensitive and might be up to 32 alphanumeric characters long, including spaces.
The Jetdirect print server's factory-default SSID is "hpsetup".
You may select to associate with the access point with the strongest signal. This behavior is similar to some PC client wireless cards, which are configured for a blank SSID or an SSID of ‘any’.
After completing the selections, click Next
to continue.
Authentication
Use the drop-down menu in the Authentication screen to choose the authentication method for the wireless printer. The specified method must match the method used on the wireless network. There are three choices:
Select No Authentication (Open System)
authentication (see Figure 13) if the wireless network does not require device authentication or security (for example, using no security, or using shared WEP keys for encryption only) to access the network.
Figure 13: Authentication screen - Open System setting
Select Shared Key
authentication if each device on the wireless network uses a shared key (that is, a shared "password" value) for network access. Each device on the network must use the same key. Shared key authentication is handled by the network's wireless access point. The HP Jetdirect print server supports IEEE 802.11 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) keys for authentication and/or encrypted network communications. If Shared Key
authentication is selected, the next screen will prompt for the configuration of the wireless printer's WEP keys.
Figure 14: Authentication screen - Shared Key setting
Select Server-based (EAP/802.1x)
authentication if the network uses an authentication server to authenticate users or devices seeking access to the network. The HP Jetdirect print server supports a variety of server-based authentication protocols: LEAP, PEAP, EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS.If Server-based (EAP/802.1x) authentication is selected, the next screen will include information about choosing one or more of these protocols.
Figure 15: Authentication screen - Server-based setting
After selecting an authentication method, click Next
to continue.
Authentication Options
Figure 16: Authentication Options screen
Place a check mark in the boxes to enable the authentication protocols the printer will use on the wireless network. Select up to five protocols. To see a brief description of a protocol, click that protocol's name in the list.
After selecting the protocols, click Next
to continue.
Authentication (user name and password)
Figure 17: Authentication username
The authentication protocol(s) specified require a user name for identification. Enter the user name in the box provided in this Authentication screen. The user name must not exceed 128 characters.
In some cases a password is also required. The password must not exceed 128 characters. Enter it in the box provided, and then confirm it by entering it again in the confirmation box (see Figure 18).
Figure 18: Authentication username and password
Authentication for the printer
The authentication protocols(s) specified may require a digital certificate for the wireless printer. If the text box shows that the certificate is not installed (see Figure 19), or if a different certificate is desired, click the Configure
button and paste a certificate for the printer into the space provided (see Figure 20).
Figure 19: Authenticate certificate (not installed)
Figure 20: Authenticate certificate
Authentication for the server
Enter the authentication information for the wireless network's authentication server in this Authentication screen. The network printer will use this information to verify that it is communicating with the right server.
The Server ID is the address of the authentication server in the form of a URL (uniform resource locator).
Figure 21: Authentication Server Settings - Server ID
By default, the server authentication is based on the rightmost portion of the Server ID
. To require an exact match of the entire Server ID, select Require exact match
.
To install the server's certificate information on the network printer, click Configure
and paste the server's digital certificate into the space provided.
For Encryption Strength
select Low
, Medium
, or High
(see Figure 22). Base this selection on the encryption strength used by the authentication server for authentication transactions on the network.
Figure 22: Authentication Server Settings - Encryption Strength
Wireless encryption (WEP)
The entries on the Wireless Encryption screen set up the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption that is used with some of the authentication protocols available on a wireless network.
Figure 23: Wireless Encryption - WEP screen
Enable Data Encryption
: Place a check mark in the Enable Data Encryption box to enable WEP key configuration. If Shared Key
authentication was previously selected, then WEP key data encryption is automatically enabled and cannot be disabled.
Click one of the following choices to specify the character set that will be used to enter the WEP keys:
Use Alphanumeric (0-9, a-z, A-Z)
(recommended selection): Select Use Alphanumeric
if the WEP key entries will be specified using alphanumeric ASCII (8-bit) characters. Alphanumeric characters may be 0 through 9, a through z, and A through Z. Remember that alphanumeric characters are
case sensitive. Entering lower- or upper-case characters, 'a - z' or 'A - Z', will result in different WEP key values.
Use Hexadecimal (0-9, a-f, A-F
): Select Use Hexadecimal to enter hexadecimal (4-bit) digits. Hexadecimal digits are limited to 0 through 9, a through f, and A through F. Remember that hexadecimal digits are not
case sensitive. Entering lower- or upper-case values, 'a - f' or 'A - F', will result in the same WEP key value.
Key 1, Key 2, Key 3, Key 4:
Enter the WEP encryption keys that the network uses in these boxes. The HP Jetdirect print server can store up to four WEP keys using four key positions (Key 1, 2, 3, 4). There can be only a single active key for a given network (or SSID) at a time. Key 1 is the default active key.
|
NOTE:
|
When entering WEP keys, be sure to enter them in the key positions (or fields) that match other wireless devices on the network. For example, if other devices on the wireless network are using a WEP key in the Key 2 position as the active key, then it is also necessary to enter this WEP key in the Key 2 field on the Jetdirect print server and select Key 2 as the active key. The different key positions will have different encryption and decryption results. |
The HP Jetdirect wireless print server supports WEP keys for 64-bit (sometimes called "40-bit") and 128-bit encryption. Use the following instructions to enter one or more WEP keys:
For each 64-bit key, enter 5 alphanumeric characters or 10 hexadecimal digits (depending on whether Use Alphanumeric
or Use Hexadecimal
was selected above). This will provide 40 bits of the encryption key; a 24-bit "initialization vector" will be automatically added to fill out the key to 64 bits.
For each 128-bit key, enter 13 alphanumeric characters or 26 hexadecimal digits (depending on whether Use Alphanumeric
or Use Hexadecimal
was selected above). This will provide 104 bits of the encryption key; a 24-bit "initialization vector" will be automatically added to fill out the key to 128 bits.
Encrypt data transmission using
: Using the drop-down list, select the active WEP key for the network. Remember that all devices on the network (that is, all devices using the same network name or SSID) must use the same key in the same key position.
After completing the entries on this screen, click Next
to continue.
Confirm wireless settings
Before selecting any options in theConfirm Wireless settings screen, verify that the wireless settings displayed in the large box are correct. If any of these settings need changed, click Back
to return to an earlier screen where the setting can be changed.
TCP/IP Settings:
By factory default, the HP Jetdirect print server will automatically try to obtain its IP (Internet Protocol) address using BootP, DHCP, and ARP. If it is unable to obtain a valid IP address for the network within two minutes of being turned on, the default address 192.0.0.192 will be automatically assigned. Although it is normally possible to configure the print server with a valid IP address for the network later when the printer is installed on the network systems, some network restrictions might require that this step be done now (for example, to accommodate special DHCP requirements or Access List restrictions).
To set a valid IP address on the Jetdirect print server now, click TCP/IP Settings
. A new screen will appear (see Figure 25). To set a static IP address, click Specify an IP address
, and then fill in the appropriate values for the printer's IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. (The network administrator will know the appropriate values.)
Figure 24: TCP/IP Settings
Restore my computer's wireless network settings when complete
: Earlier in this procedure the computer's wireless settings were changed so that it could communicate with the network printer. Depending upon the option selected, the Wizard changed the settings automatically, or the settings were changed manually. If the Wizard changed the settings, it now offers to change them back to what they were before running the Wizard. (Typically, this lets the computer talk on the original wireless network again.) If a check mark is placed in the box labeled Restore my computer's wireless network settings when complete
, the Wizard will restore the computer's original wireless settings after it downloads the new configuration to the wireless printer. This occurs after clicking Next
.
|
NOTE:
|
This Restore my computer's wireless network settings when complete
check box will only be available if Configure wireless settings for me
was selected on an earlier screen and the HP Jetdirect Wireless Setup Wizard was able to reconfigure the computer for initial communications with the HP Jetdirect wireless print server. |
When satisfied with the specified settings, click Next
to continue.
Configuring wireless settings
The Configuring wireless settings screen appears while the Wizard is downloading the new wireless settings to the wireless printer. This might take a couple of minutes.
Figure 25: Configuring wireless settings screen
Wireless settings configured
The Wireless Setup Wizard has finished downloading the new configuration to the network printer. The network printer is now configured to communicate on the wireless network.
| CAUTION:
|
It still might be necessary to reconfigure the computer's wireless settings. If one of the messages on this screen says, "Your computer's wireless settings have been restored", the Wizard has changed the settings back to what they were before running the Wizard (see Figure 27).
However, if one of the messages on the screen begins with "Change your computer's wireless settings . . . ", it is necessary to change the computer's wireless configuration back to its original settings manually (see Figure 28).
|
Figure 26: Wireless settings configured screen (network settings restored)
Figure 27: Wireless settings configured screen (change wireless settings)
Check the wireless computer to ensure it can again communicate on the network. If it is unable to connect, try the following steps:
Check the computer's wireless settings to ensure they match the settings for the network.
If using a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) network, wait a minute or two so that the DHCP server can validate the system's TCP/IP settings.
Close
: the wireless printer is now configured to communicate on the wireless network, but it is not yet ready to print. The next step is to configure the computer to print to the printer. This is accomplished using a different wizard, the Install Network Printer Wizard.
Click Close
to exit the Wizard. The original HP Jetdirect CD screen will open. From this screen, Select Yes, the printer is already communicating on my wireless network
, and then click Next
to start the Install Network Printer Wizard.
|
|
Printable version
