We’ll need to connect our SOHO devices to the network and other devices in order to allow other devices to share its resources.
Wired
USB
If you’re connecting a multifunction printer to the network, you’ll most likely be using a USB wired connection, which is the most common connector. USB Type B will most commonly be used to connect the wire into the printer. On the other end will be a Type A USB connector that plugs into the computer.
Serial
Ethernet
An RJ45 connector will probably be on the back of a multifunction SOHO printer to allow you to connect the printer to the ethernet network.
Wireless
Bluetooth
Bluetooth connectivity is common on many printers so that you can directly print from mobile devices nearby.
802.11(a, b, g, n, ac)
Wireless printing over 802.11 is most common.
Infrastructure vs. ad hoc
If your printer connects to your wireless network using a wireless access point, this is called Infrastructure mode. In an Infrastructure mode, all of your devices will be connecting to an access point. The access point allows all of the devices to communicate with eachother.
With ad hoc mode, an access point is not needed. A direct line is made between wireless devices. For example, you can directly connect your computer to your printer with an 802.11 connection without connecting to a wireless access point.
- Ad hoc doesn’t need a WAP
- Infrastructure typically uses one or more WAPs connected to a wired network segment
