There are2 modes in which a wireless printer can be setup.1) Ad- Hoc Mode (Computer to Computer Connection): Rarely used but useful if you have a Laptop or Wireless enable desktop which is not on a network and you want to print to the wireless printer. Also useful if you are setting up the printer for the first time on a wireless network and you don't have a configuration media (like USB cable) for accessing the NIC card of the wireless printer. So you can establish a computer to printer wirless connection and access the NIC card and then change the Network Settings to put the printer on required network.2) Infrastructure Mode: This is most commonly used in home and small office for accessing the printer on the network. This requires you to have a basic SOHO router which acts as a access point. Setting up a wireless printer on wireless home network is very simple nowadays with most of the printer manufactures providing the setup software on CD or web download. These setup software will give you step by step instructions on setting up the wireless printer in wireless mode.
Some of the setup process may ask for network information, so keep the following information handy before starting the setup process.
Wireless Network Name(SSID) and password (Network Key or Encryption).
if you don,t remember any of these then you can get this information by:
On a laptop which is connected to the same network wirelessly: Check the properties of the network to which the laptop is connected. You will get the SSID and Network Key.
Desktop or Laptop which hard wired to the same n/w: Access the router interface by typing in the gateway address in IE. It will ask for username and password for the router. Check the sticker on router for the default username and password. this will work unless you or someone has not changed it.
Login into the router interface and check the wireless settings for SSID and Network Key.
