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Chapter 3
Printer Server Configuration

This chapter provides an overview of the configuration process.

Overview

The LevelOne Wireless Printer Server is designed to support many different platforms, and the configuration required would depend upon the environment in which it is installed.

Only Windows and Macintosh environments are supported.

 

Using the Windows Wizard

The Windows-based Wizard runs on Windows 95, 98, NT4.0, ME, Windows 2000 and XP.

It will configure the LevelOne Wireless Printer Server for your Network environment.

Procedure

  1. Insert the supplied CD-ROM into your drive. If the setup program does not start automatically, run SETUP in the root folder.
  2. Run the Setup Wizard, either by using this option on the first installation screen, or by selecting it from the menu after running the Installation option.
  3. To install both the Setup Wizard and the BiAdmin management program, select the "Administrator" option when running the Installation.

  4. Within the Setup Wizard, select the LevelOne Wireless Printer Server you wish to configure, click Next, and step through the Wizard.

If the desired LevelOne Wireless Printer Server is not listed:

 

Alternative to the Windows Wizard

If you do not have a Windows 32 platform available, you can use your Web Browser to configure the LevelOne Wireless Printer Server.

See Chapter 6 - Web Interface Setup for details.

 

Wireless Configuration

The WPS-0100 and WPS-0100 USB are Wireless stations, and can communicate with other 802.11b Wireless stations. They have 3 modes:

Of the two (2) Ad-hoc modes, "802.11 Ad Hoc" mode is recommended. If your Wireless LAN Card doesn't provide "802.11 Ad Hoc" mode, try "Ad Hoc" mode on the PC and "802.11 Ad Hoc" on the WPS-0100 USB/ WPS-0100. If this fails, select "Ad-hoc" mode on the LevelOne Wireless Printer Server.

The WPS-0100 and WPS-0100 USB do NOT allow both a LAN connection and "Infrastructure" mode.
In "Infrastructure" mode, connecting a LAN cable will disable the Wireless interface.
To use the LAN interface, "Ad-hoc" mode must be used.

 

Required configuration


Ad-hoc Mode

Infrastructure Mode

SSID
Must match the other Wireless stations, unless the SSID is null or "any".
If its SSID is null or "any", a Wireless station can join any Ad-hoc group.
But since the WPS-0100 and WPS-0100 USB are fixed devices (rather than roaming), their SSID should not be null or "any".
It's recommended to assign value to SSID for WPS-0100 and WPS-0100 USB.
Must match the Access Point.
Channel
Should match the other Wireless stations.
However, when joining an existing ad-hoc group, a Wireless station will use the Channel in use, rather than its own Channel.
For a device like the LevelOne Wireless Printer Server, it is best to set it to the Channel providing the least interference and best performance.
Access Point sets the Channel used.
Wireless stations automatically locate the correct channel.
WEP Settings
Must match the other Wireless stations.
Must match the Access Point.

Two (2) methods are available to perform the required configuration:

 

BiAdmin Wireless Screen

Installation and use of the BiAdmin Windows utility is described in Chapter 5.

Clicking the Wireless icon, or selecting Configuration - Wireless on the menu, will display the following screen.

Figure 1: Wireless Screen

 

Regulatory Domain
It is illegal to use this device in any location outside of the regulatory domain.
Station Name
The name used to identify this Wireless station.
SSID
  • If using an ESS (Extended Service Set) this ID is called an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier).
  • To communicate, all Wireless stations MUST use the same SSID/ESSID. Change this value, or change the other Wireless stations, to ensure each Wireless station has the same value.
  • The default value is "null", so the Wireless station can join any Ad-hoc group.
    Note! The SSID is case sensitive.
Channel No
To communicate in "802.11 Ad-hoc" or "Ad hoc" mode, all Wireless stations MUST use the same Channel number.
  • If using "802.11 Ad-hoc" or "Ad-hoc" mode, select the value you wish to use on your Wireless LAN.
  • If using "Infrastructure" mode, the Channel is selected automatically, to match the Channel used by the Access Point.
  • If you experience interference (shown by lost connections and/or slow data transfers) you may need to experiment with different channels to see which is the best.
Network Type
Select the correct value for your Wireless LAN.
  • 802.11 Ad-hoc mode is used when each Wireless station communicates directly with other Wireless stations. This is the current standard.
  • Ad-hoc mode is used when each Wireless station communicates directly with other Wireless stations. This is the older standard.
  • Infrastructure mode is used when each Wireless station connects to the Wireless Access point. This also provides access to the wired LAN.

Encryption

WEP Disabled/
Enabled
If Disabled (default), data is NOT encrypted before being transmitted.
If Enabled, you must provide either the 64 Bit key table or the 128 Bit keys, as described below. The key is used to encrypt the data before transmission.
64 Bit
  • If selected, data is encrypted, using the default key, before being transmitted. The receiving station must be set to 64 Bit Encryption, and have the same Key value in the same position in its key table. Otherwise, it will not be able to decrypt the data.
  • Default Key - select the key you wish to be the default. Transmitted data is ALWAYS encrypted using the Default Key; the other Keys are for decryption only.
Key Table:
This table is used when Encrypting and Decrypting data. All stations, always transmit data encrypted using their default key. The key number (1, 2, 3, 4) is also transmitted. The receiving station will use the key number (1, 2, 3, 4) to determine which key value to use for decryption. If the key value does not match the transmitting station, decryption will fail.
The easiest way to ensure there are no problems is to have every Station, use the same key table (all entries identical). Then, it does not matter which key is used as the default key.
128 Bit
If selected, data is encrypted using the key before being transmitted. The receiving station must be set to use 128 Bit Encryption, and have the same Key value. Otherwise, it will not be able to decrypt the data.
WEP Authentication
Options are "Open System" or "Shared Key".
Some Wireless cards do not support both methods. Check your documentation to determine the correct value to use.

 

Wireless Link Info Screen

After clicking the "Link Info" button on the Wireless Screen, a screen like the example below will be shown.

Figure 2:Link Info Screen

State
This indicates which access point is currently in use.
Current Channel
The current channel which has been used.
Current TX Rate
The current transmitting speed.
Throughput (Tx )
This will show how much data has been transmitted per second.
Throughput ( Rx )
This will show how much data has been received per second.
Link Quality
This indicates the quality of the Wireless connection
Signal Strength
This indicates the strength of the Wireless signal being received.

 

The "Link Quality" and "Signal Strength" data is not available if using "Ad-hoc" or "802.11 Ad-hoc" mode.

 

Advanced Configuration and Management

The BiAdmin management utility is provided for advanced configuration and management.

This program is installed by default when the Administrator install option is chosen.

See Chapter 5 for details on using BiAdmin.



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