• Resetting the printer to the factory defaults
• Troubleshooting
• Glossary
4.2.1 Wireless networking basics
The printer's built-in wireless communications feature allows you to connect the
printer directly to an 802.11g or 802.11b Wi-Fi wireless network without the aid of
an external print server.
To install the printer on a wireless network, follow the wireless installation
instructions.
Wi-Fi
802.11g and 802.11b
Wi-Fi is a wireless communications technology that allows you to connect
computers and other devices (such as printers) to each other and the Internet
without the use of wires. The printer is compatible with two types of Wi-Fi technology:
802.11g and 802.11b.
Both 802.11g and 802.11b operate by radio transmission in the 2.4 gigahertz per
second (GHz) frequency band. 802.11g devices communicate at a maximum speed
of 54 megabits per second (Mb/s). 802.11b devices communicate at a maximum
speed of 11 Mb/s.
In infrastructure mode, the printer operates in either 802.11g or 802.11b mode,
depending on the wireless network. In ad hoc mode, the printer defaults to 802.11b
mode.
802.11a
802.11a is an emerging wireless networking technology that operates in the 5 GHz
frequency band and offers communication speeds similar to those of 802.11g. The
printer cannot communicate with 802.11a devices over a wireless connection.
If you have an 802.11a wireless network, you must use an Ethernet cable to connect
the printer to the network's Wireless Access Point (WAP) in order to achieve a
processing speed comparable to that of the 802.11a network.
To connect the printer to an Ethernet network, follow the Ethernet network
installation instructions.
Adapters and access points
Adapters
While some devices, such as the printer, have built-in Wi-Fi capability, other devices
need an adapter to become Wi-Fi-enabled.
HP Deskjet 6800 series printer
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