MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

[Polarbear]

Good day all.

Once again Ricoh's installation manual is a colossal waste of time! I need to install a wifi card in the MP301, and there is no info on the placement of the antennas or what logical programming is required afterwards. Most of the sp modes listed in the manual do not even exist on the machine!!

Has anyone done this and got it to work? I would appreciate any help here!

[Debs1964]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

I just checked my manual, you're right, not much help, the MP201 or MP171 manuals are no better, but the MPC305 manual looks like it has better instructions, I can't see it being very different, I hope that helps

[Polarbear]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

Thanks Debs! Will look into that. You are a star!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

Is a simple wireless range extender NOT an option?
It's also certainly Cheaper and less complicated to configure, and from what I've heard in the past...more reliable
That's all I've ever used when there was not a wired connection readily available.
Just my 2 cents

[qbert69]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

Just tested one of these:

WN2000RPT | WiFi Range Extenders | Networking | Home | NETGEAR

in our showroom with a wireless laptop and our existing wi-fi network!

It has a set-up genie and works quite well!...it even has 4 Ethernet ports to hook more devices up to it!

For only $40 USD you can't beat that with a stick!




PS--It worked without a hitch doing printing, scanning--e-mail and SMB scan to folder!!!

Purchased from Wal-Mart:

Netgear WN2000RPT Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender - Walmart.com

[Polarbear]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

Is a simple wireless range extender NOT an option?
It's also certainly Cheaper and less complicated to configure, and from what I've heard in the past...more reliable
That's all I've ever used when there was not a wired connection readily available.
Just my 2 cents

Sandmanmac
We are setting the machine up for another office that has a customer with a branch on our area. If it was my call I would have also gone the generic route. Cheaper and much less legwork!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

[slimslob]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

What I usually use is a NetGear WNCE2001 or equivalent. A lot less expensive and you can connect a 5 port switch to it and connect more than one device.
Amazon.com: NETGEAR Universal N300 Wi-Fi to Ethernet Adapter (WNCE2001): Electronics

[Polarbear]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI) - SOLVED

Thanks to Debs, for the information in the MPC305 manual.

It worked like a charm, although the signal strength of this unit compared to a Samsung mobile phone for instance is relatively poor.

Now I understand why most people steer clear of this method of wireless!

[qbert69]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI) - SOLVED

Thanks to Debs, for the information in the MPC305 manual.

It worked like a charm, although the signal strength of this unit compared to a Samsung mobile phone for instance is relatively poor.

Now I understand why most people steer clear of this method of wireless!

Wired = Consistent & Secure!!!

[qbert69]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

What I usually use is a NetGear WNCE2001 or equivalent. A lot less expensive and you can connect a 5 port switch to it and connect more than one device.
Amazon.com: NETGEAR Universal N300 Wi-Fi to Ethernet Adapter (WNCE2001): Electronics

Interesting...

Netgear WN2000RPT Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender - Walmart.com

Same price as the one I posted, but the one I posted already has the built in ethernet ports!

DOH!!!

PS--would be interesting to compare the performance of the two devices side by side!...I suspect the one with the built in ethernet ports would do much better since the switch to port circuitry is already integrate into the device without having to rely on anything external to it, such as external switch electronics!

[qbert69]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

As added info, with the Ricoh wireless, it is "married" to the machine...meaning you can't separate it and optimize its placement for best reception/transmission. That being said, if you are in a building that has metal framework/studs, the wireless is only going to have an optimal 90 degree field of signal view on the rear left of the machine...it will have to be oriented with the antenna facing towards the wireless router!

Remember, the guts of the MFP are largely a metal latticework which wreaks havoc with wireless signal!

Now that I have tried it, I prefer the netgear wireless to ethernet bridge since you can get the wifi transceiver up and away from your MFP for optimal signal strength!

Another reason I like Netgear products is their MIMO Beamforming technology:

All about beamforming, the faster Wi-Fi you didn't know you needed | PCWorld

[slimslob]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

Interesting...

Netgear WN2000RPT Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender - Walmart.com

Same price as the one I posted, but the one I posted already has the built in ethernet ports!

DOH!!!

PS--would be interesting to compare the performance of the two devices side by side!...I suspect the one with the built in ethernet ports would do much better since the switch to port circuitry is already integrate into the device without having to rely on anything external to it, such as external switch electronics!

One question, does the WN2000RPT come with a CAT5 cable to connect to your first wire device? The WNCE2001 does. Everything that you need to use it with a MFP is in the box. In can also be Velcro attached to the back of the machine. Setup is easy as long as you know the information needed to connect to the existing wireless:

1. Turn off your internal laptop wireless and remove any other network connections
2. Connect the WNCE2001 to your laptop
3. Launch your browser
4. Follow the on screen directions selecting the wireless router from the list of those detected and entrer the access code
5. Connect the WNCE2001 to the MFP.

The only problem I have had is one doctor with one at his home. Every six months or so he replaces his wireless router.

[Debs1964]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

Glad it helped, it's good to know if I ever have to install one on an MP301

[qbert69]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

One question, does the WN2000RPT come with a CAT5 cable to connect to your first wire device? The WNCE2001 does. Everything that you need to use it with a MFP is in the box. In can also be Velcro attached to the back of the machine. Setup is easy as long as you know the information needed to connect to the existing wireless:

1. Turn off your internal laptop wireless and remove any other network connections
2. Connect the WNCE2001 to your laptop
3. Launch your browser
4. Follow the on screen directions selecting the wireless router from the list of those detected and entrer the access code
5. Connect the WNCE2001 to the MFP.

The only problem I have had is one doctor with one at his home. Every six months or so he replaces his wireless router.

The WN2000RPTv3 (version 3) does not come with any ethernet cable in the box!...I don't mind since I usually have to make a custom length cable anyway!...and about mounting the bridge onto the back of the machine, I would prefer not to do that as the machine metal framework would act as a grounded shield and thus blocking/interfering with the signal!

About the doctor...why would he need/want to replace his wireless router every 6 months?!....does it keep destroying itself?!

[logrady2331]

Re: MP301 - installing IEEE 802.11 (WIFI)

I agree with slimslob (again ) The WNCE2001 bridge is the way to go for wireless. 50.00 bucks at Best Buy, configures easy, works like a champ. There is ZERO need to buy ANY OEM wireless card nowadays.