Wireless Networking

Minimum Requirements for Setup

• The Dell Internal Wireless Adapter 1000

• The Dell All-In-One Printer

• An existing wireless network

• The Drivers and Utilities CD that shipped with your printer

• A computer running one of the following operating systems:

  • Windows Vista™

  • Microsoft^® Windows^® XP

  • Microsoft Windows 2000

Wireless Network Settings

Some wireless network settings may be needed to configure the adapter that has been installed in the printer. Here are some of the settings that you may need:

• Network Name, also known as SSID (Service Set ID)

• BSS (Basic Service Set) Type (the type of wireless network you use—Ad-Hoc or Infrastructure)

• Wireless Channel Number

• Network Authentication and encryption type

• Security Key(s)

Wireless Encryption

The following security types are supported:

• No security

• WEP with either 64-bit or 128-bit key

• WPA with either 128-bit TKIP encryption engine, or 128-bit AES-CCMP encryption engine

A WPA (WiFi Protected Access) pre-shared key is like a password and must meet the following criteria:

• If you are using Hex characters, valid keys are 64 characters long.

• If you are using ASCII, valid keys are at least 8 characters long.

The wireless network may use anywhere from one to four WEP keys. A WEP key is like a password and must meet the following criteria:

• If you are using Hex characters, valid keys are either 10 or 26 characters long.

• If you are using ASCII, valid keys are either 5 or 13 characters long.

Installing the Wireless Adapter

1. Turn off your printer, and then unplug the power cable from the wall outlet.

   

   CAUTION: Failure to unplug the printer can cause damage to your printer and adapter.

2. Remove the back cover.

   

   CAUTION: Wireless cards are easily damaged by static electricity. Touch a metal object before you touch the adapter.

3. Remove the Dell Wireless Adapter 1000 from the packaging.

   

   Callout	Item
   1	Dell Wireless Adapter 1000
   2	USB cable
   3	MAC address label
   4	Dell Wireless Adapter 1000 Installation Guide

   
   

4. Attach the MAC address label to the back of your printer.

5. Insert the adapter into the back of the printer until it clicks into place.

   

You are now ready to configure your adapter to work on your wireless network.

Configuring the Wireless Adapter

1. Plug the printer power cable into the wall outlet.

2. Press the Power button.

   The Wireless Adapter detected message appears on the operator panel for three seconds.

3. If you are using your printer with a new Dell computer: Go to step 8.

   If you are using your printer with an existing computer: Go to the next step.

4. Make sure your computer is on, and then insert the Drivers and Utilities CD.

5. Select Using a wireless network, and then click Next.

6. Select I Agree with the terms of this license agreement, and then click Next.

7. Read the Firewall Exception information, and then click Next.

8. Connect the USB cable between the port on the back of the printer and the port on the back of the computer.

9. On the Configure Your Wireless Printer Adapter dialog box, select Create or modify the printer's wireless settings, and then click Next.

   Follow the instructions on your screen. For more information about configuring your adapter to work on the network, see Configuring the Adapter Using the Wireless Setup Utility.

   NOTE: The network name (SSID) and the security settings for the wireless network you want to connect to may be needed to complete this setup wizard. For more information, see the wireless network administrator or your network documentation.

Connecting the Printer to Another Computer

NOTE: To perform the following steps, the printer must already be connected to a computer or router through the wireless network.

1. Make sure your computer is on, and then insert the Drivers and Utilities CD.

2. Select Using a wireless network, and then click Next.

3. Select I Agree with the terms of this license agreement, and then click Next.

4. Read the Firewall Exceptions information, and then click Next.

5. On the Configure Your Wireless Printer Adapter dialog box, select Keep the current wireless settings of the printer, and then click Next.

6. Choose a port or manually enter an IP address, and then follow the instructions on your screen.

Configuration Overview

Configuring the adapter using the Wireless Setup Utility involves connecting the printer in which the adapter has been installed to a computer by USB cable, and launching the Drivers and Utilities CD.

If you need to adjust the wireless adapter settings after installation, the CD is not required. Launch the Wireless Setup Utility.

In Windows Vista:

1. Click ® Programs.

2. Click Dell Printers.

3. Click Dell AIO Printer 948.

4. Click Wireless Setup Utility.

In Windows XP and Windows 2000:

1. Click Start® Programs or All Programs® Dell Printers® Dell AIO Printer 948.

2. Click Wireless Setup Utility.

The Wireless Setup Utility steps you through the configuration process. The wizard can automatically detect wireless network settings or allow you to manually enter the network configuration settings.

Before configuring the adapter, make sure your printer has been set up correctly:

• The adapter has been installed correctly in the printer.

• The ink cartridges are installed correctly.

• Paper has been loaded into the printer.

• The USB cable is attached to the printer and the computer.

• The printer is turned on and ready to be installed.

Using an Available Wireless Network Configuration

1. From the Wireless Networks Found In Your Area screen, select the appropriate Network Name (SSID) from the list, and then click Next.

2. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

   NOTE: Clicking Next prompts the setup utility to verify wireless communication with the printer. The verification process can take up to 120 seconds.

3. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

Entering a Different Wireless Network Configuration

1. From the Wireless Networks Found In Your Area screen, select I want to enter a different configuration, and then click Next.

2. If the Network Name (SSID) you want to use is available, select it from the list, and then click Next.

   If the Network Name (SSID) is not available

   1. Select I want to enter a different network name, and then click Next.

   2. Enter the Network Name (SSID).

   3. Select the appropriate Channel from the drop-down list. (Auto is the default.)

   4. Select your Wireless Mode.

      • For Infrastructure Mode, select Access an existing network through a wireless router (Infrastructure Mode) - Typical, and then click Next.

        For additional setup instructions, see Manually Configuring the Adapter in Infrastructure Mode.

      • For Ad-Hoc Mode, select Access other computers directly without using a wireless router (Ad-Hoc Mode), and then click Next.

        For additional setup instructions, see Manually Configuring the Adapter in Ad-Hoc Mode.

3. Select the appropriate security method, and then click Next. If no security was detected, go to step 5.

4. Enter the appropriate security key(s) for the network, and then click Next.

5. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

   NOTE: Clicking Next prompts the setup utility to verify wireless communication with the printer. The verification process can take up to 120 seconds.

6. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

Manually Configuring the Adapter in Infrastructure Mode

To set up the adapter in Infrastructure Mode, the setup steps vary based on the security settings you select.

• If you don't want any security

  1. From the Wireless Security Settings screen, select No Security, and then click Next.

  2. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

  3. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

• If you want to use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security

  1. From the Wireless Security Settings screen, select Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), and then click Next.

     The WEP Security Information screen opens.

  2. Enter the appropriate Network Key, and then click Next.

  3. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

  4. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

• If you want to use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security

  1. From the Wireless Security Settings screen, select Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and then click Next.

     The WPA Security Information screen opens.

  2. Enter the appropriate WPA Network Key, and then click Next.

  3. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

  4. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

• If you only want to connect to access points that support WPA2 security

  1. From the Wireless Security Settings screen, select Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), and then click Advanced WPA Settings.

     The Advanced WPA Options dialog box opens.

  2. Select the Use WPA2 authentication only check box, and then click OK.

     You are returned to the Wireless Security Settings screen.

  3. Click Next.

  4. Enter the appropriate WPA Network Key, and then click Next.

  5. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

  6. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

Manually Configuring the Adapter in Ad-Hoc Mode

To set up the adapter in Ad-Hoc Mode, the setup steps vary based on the security settings you select. The security options are more limited in Ad-Hoc Mode than they are in Infrastructure Mode.

• If you don't want any security

  1. From the Wireless Security Settings screen, select No Security, and then click Next.

  2. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

  3. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

• If you want to use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security

  1. From the Wireless Security Settings screen, select Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), and then click Next.

  2. Enter the appropriate Network Key.

  3. If you have additional network keys, select the My network requires more than one network key check box, and then enter the additional network keys.

  4. Click Next.

  5. On the Apply and Verify Wireless Settings screen, check each network attribute to make sure the settings are correct, and then click Next to apply the settings.

  6. Verify that the adapter can communicate over the network. For more information, see Verifying Network Communication.

Verifying Network Communication

You should verify that your adapter can communicate over the network before completing installation of the printer software.

• If the adapter was successfully configured and is available on the network, remove the USB cable, and click Next to continue with printer software installation.

• If the adapter was not able to join the wireless network, try one of the following suggestions:

  • Click View Settings to verify the settings are correct.

  • Select I want to change the settings I entered, and then click Next.

    Follow the instructions on your screen to update the wireless settings.

  • Select I have moved my wireless printer closer to the wireless router. I would like to try connecting again, and then click Next.