MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

[sandmanmac]

I just acquired an MP2550 with a wireless LAN attached. While it was easy enough to configure and get working at my shop, I don't have any experience with these units, and I don't intend to use it unless it's absolutely required. But I have a couple of questions:

Are they reliable? and
Is this unit compatible with other models?
I looked around quite a bit, and I can't seem to locate any documentation as to which other models it might work with.

I appreciate any advice.

[KenB]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

Simple 802.11b interface, if I remember correctly. No "g" or "n".

As far I'm concerned, the wireless in any of these machines just plain sucks, and is NOT reliable.

The only way they seem to work well is if they are almost right next to the router. If the signal strength drops much below 60% or so it will fall off routinely. And, BTW... forget about @Remote working reliably with it - you'll get constant calls for it going offline.

I've always suggested to customers who have to go wireless for whatever reason to get a simple bridge to convert the signal to wired. They're well under $100 and are worth their weight in gold.

[TonerMunkeh]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

Alex and Apollon printers are listed as compatible, MPC2050, MPC2000 and their bretherin.

With regard to if they're any good or not, we only have one out in the wild. It's in a house in Liverpool that was built in the 1800's so the walls are 130ft thick. The machine is in the basement, the router is on the 1st floor. They can't talk to each other unless the wind is in the right direction and the sun is at 36 degrees north by north west. Unless the router is quite close to the machine and has an unrestricted view, you should have no problems apart from the usual wireless packet loss.

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

I appreciate the feedback. I had a hunch that the reliability would be questionable at best, so with that, I suppose the subject of compatibility is moot

[KenB]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

I appreciate the feedback. I had a hunch that the reliability would be questionable at best, so with that, I suppose the subject of compatibility is moot

The bridge I mentioned, being well under $100, is only a fraction of the cost of the Ricoh kits. In addition, they already support "g", as well as most likely "n".

They can also be upgraded or moved around at any time.

BTW... They also install in about 10 minutes flat, and take no special skills to do so.

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

The bridge I mentioned, being well under $100, is only a fraction of the cost of the Ricoh kits. In addition, they already support "g", as well as most likely "n".

They can also be upgraded or moved around at any time.

BTW... They also install in about 10 minutes flat, and take no special skills to do so.

Sounds like an excellent alternative! The need for wireless connection hasn't really been an issue for me, which is why I'm not that educated in that area I suppose. Finding out a little about the bridges has got me thinking. Excellent suggestion!

[Tonerbomb]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

The bridge I mentioned, being well under $100, is only a fraction of the cost of the Ricoh kits. In addition, they already support "g", as well as most likely "n".

They can also be upgraded or moved around at any time.

BTW... They also install in about 10 minutes flat, and take no special skills to do so.

I've been using netgear wireless print servers for this. The last one I bought on ebay for $20.

[teebee1234]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

This should be an a/g version with dual antennas that can be positioned for the best signal, either at the back of the scanner area or higher up on the wall. Much better than the one that just extends the antenna an inch out from the controller, you can move them around and check the signal strength at the control panel for the optimal position. But as others have said, you really need to keep signal strength above 50%. I had a wireless mfp setup in a church with block walls and had to move the router to an outside hallway within 30 feet of the room the device was.

[KenB]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

I've been using netgear wireless print servers for this. The last one I bought on ebay for $20.

While the wireless print server would certainly work for printing, I'm really pretty sure that you would lose scanning, WIM, @Remote, etc...

[KenB]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

This should be an a/g version with dual antennas that can be positioned for the best signal, either at the back of the scanner area or higher up on the wall. Much better than the one that just extends the antenna an inch out from the controller, you can move them around and check the signal strength at the control panel for the optimal position. But as others have said, you really need to keep signal strength above 50%. I had a wireless mfp setup in a church with block walls and had to move the router to an outside hallway within 30 feet of the room the device was.

Even if the newer models use "g", they still aren't up to "n". That in itself can cause a lot of IT people to balk about enabling "g' on their shiny new "n" type.

When set for mixed mode operation, ("g" and "n", for instance), most routers will slow down the "n" (108 Mb/S), to the slower rate of "g" (54 Mb/S), effectively slowing the entire network to the lower rate. I'm not sure if all routers do this, but I've heard that at least most do.

[Llama God]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

While the wireless print server would certainly work for printing, I'm really pretty sure that you would lose scanning, WIM, @Remote, etc...

[kannuki2]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

Yes agreed, I use an old Linksys WIRELESS G Linksys WRT54G2 router with DD-WRT firmware and do a wireless BRIDGE between the main router and you can wired into any printers as long as they have an ethernet port.

[jtymabel]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

Yes agreed, I use an old Linksys WIRELESS G Linksys WRT54G2 router with DD-WRT firmware and do a wireless BRIDGE between the main router and you can wired into any printers as long as they have an ethernet port.

dd wrt firmware works great...there are a few manufactures (asus) using dd wrt firmware. We picked up a couple of netgear routers and flashed them with dd wrt. Takes 2 mins to set up onsite.

instructions once you have flashed dd wrt

The router that you are trying to connect to is the primary router. The router you are configuring is the client bridge(CB) router. You don't need to worry about the primary router as long a s you set your CB to the SAME subnet. What this means is, if the primary router has an IP of 192.168.A.X, you need to set the CB router to an IP of 192.168.A.Z. Most primary routers will be at 192.168.1.1. So, when you are configuring your CB router, set it to 192.168.1.9
With that in mind, here is how to configure it.

1. Download a recommended build for your router. DO NOT USE SP1. If you are using a broadcom router, read the peacock thread prior to starting. http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486 Use one of those recommended builds.
2. Do a HARD reset on your router.
3. Connect a cable from your computer to the LAN port on your router.
4. Set your computer to a static IP address of 192.168.1.9
5. Set your browser to 192.168.1.1 and open the dd-wrt webgui.
6. You should be asked to change your password and username. Carefully type these in. If you aren't asked for a password and username, do a hard reset, this time doing it properly! Hit change password.
7. Go FIRST to wireless, wireless security and enter the security type and key that matches your primary router. You must use wpa2-aes for things to work reliably. The only other that works reliably is wep. You might have to change your primary router to a security that works with dd-wrt.
8. Hit SAVE, (or APPLY if you wish to)
9. Go to the wireless, basic settings page and change the wireless mode to Client Bridge.
10. Your wireless network mode should be set to the same as the primary router.
11. Set the wireless channel to match your primary router channel if there is a channel selection available.
12. If you are using N only or Mixed with N, set your wireless channel width to match your primary
13. Set the wireless network name to exactly the same as your primary router. Make sure spelling and capitalization match.
14. Set Ack timing to 0 unless you have a long distance (>300 meter) link (Optional with broadcom routers)
15. Hit SAVE at the bottom. Then hit APPLY.
16. Check to make sure all the configurations, including the mode, saved and the mode is still client bridge. If any changed, fix them, and save again.
17. Goto Setup, basic setup and enter a router Local IP address of 192.168.1.6. Leave subnet mask at 255.255.255.0.
18. Set the Gateway IP to your primary router. (Likely 192.168.1.1)
19. Leave Local DNS blank
20. Check Assign Wan port to a switch, if you wish to.
21. Change your timezone and DST to match where you are.
22. Hit Apply.
23. Set your browser to 192.168.1.6 and login to your router
24. Goto Security, Firewall. Under Block Wan Requests, uncheck everything but "Filter Multicast" (Leave Filter multicast checked).
25. Hit Save
26. Disable SPI Firewall
27. Hit Apply.
28. Go to setup/advanced routing and change the operating mode from "gateway" to router. Hit Apply.
29. Set your computer back to auto IP and auto DNS.

[nmfaxman]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

I have been using wireless gaming adapters.
They are small and almost weightless.
I program them and put it away from the machine to reduce RF.

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP2550/3350 Wireless LAN

I have been using wireless gaming adapters.
They are small and almost weightless.
I program them and put it away from the machine to reduce RF.

Interesting. Would you mind giving me an example of what you mean exactly?
Name? Link? or whatever.


Edit...I figured out how to use this new thing called "google" and found some. But do you have a preference or just whatever you can get at the time?