Network User’s Guide PT-E550W PT-E550W This Network User’s Guide provides useful information to configure wireless network and Wireless Direct settings using your Brother machine. You can also find supported protocol information and detailed troubleshooting tips. To download the latest manual, please visit the Brother support website at (support.brother.com).
Definitions of notes We use the following icon throughout this guide: IMPORTANT This symbol indicates information or directions that should be followed. Ignoring them may result in damage, or failed operations. NOTE This mark indicates notes that provide information or directions that can help you better understand and use the product more efficiently. Trademarks Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.
IMPORTANT NOTE Please go to the Brother support website at support.brother.com and click [Manuals] on your model page to download the other manuals. This product is approved for use in the country of purchase only. Do not use this product outside the country of purchase as it may violate the wireless telecommunication and power regulations of that country. Not all models are available in all countries. © 2014 Brother Industries, Ltd. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents Section I 1 Wireless Direct Introduction 2 Overview....................................................................................................................................................2 Hardware requirements .............................................................................................................................3 Supported operating systems..............................................................................................................
Section III Communication Settings 7 Communication Settings (Windows only) 21 Using the Communication Settings..........................................................................................................21 Settings Dialog Box ...........................................................................................................................22 Menu Bar .......................................................................................................................................
Section I Wireless Direct Introduction Wireless Direct network configuration I 2 4
1 Introduction 1 1 Overview 1 Wireless Direct allows you to configure a secured wireless network between your Brother machine and a mobile device, such as an Android™ device, iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, without using an access point. 1 2 1 Mobile device 2 Your Brother machine NOTE • The Wi-Fi Direct supported device serves as an access point. • When using Wireless Direct, your Brother machine supports one-to-one wireless communication with your mobile device.
Introduction Hardware requirements 1 1 Supported operating systems 1 Operating systems Android™ iOS 2.3 or greater 6.
2 Wireless Direct network configuration 2 You can use Wireless Direct to connect mobile devices, computers, and other devices that support Wi-Fi connections directly to your Brother machine using a wireless network connection without using a wireless router or access point. 2 Here will be described the configuration methods using your Brother machine’s own functions. See Communication Settings (Windows only) on page 21 for configurations using the Printer Setting Tool.
Section II Wireless network Introduction Changing your machine’s network settings Configuring your machine for a wireless network Web Based Management II 6 7 11 18
3 Introduction 3 Network features 3 Your Brother machine can be shared on an IEEE 802.11b/g/n wireless network using the internal network print server. The print server supports various functions and methods of connection on a network supporting TCP/IP, depending on the operating system you are running. BRAdmin Light BRAdmin Pro Web Based Management Driver Deployment Wizard Printer Setting Tool For more information and downloads, visit us at support.brother.com.
4 Changing your machine’s network settings 4 Changing your machine’s network settings (IP address, Subnet mask and Gateway) 4 Using the BRAdmin Light utility (Windows) 4 4 The BRAdmin Light utility is designed for the initial setup of Brother network connectable devices. It can also search for Brother products in a TCP/IP environment, show the status and configure basic network settings, such as the IP address. Installing BRAdmin Light 1 2 3 Ensure your machine is turned on.
Changing your machine’s network settings Setting the IP address, Subnet Mask and Gateway using BRAdmin Light 1 4 Start the BRAdmin Light utility. (Windows 10) From the Start button, click [BRAdmin Light] under [Brother]. (Windows 8 / Windows 8.1) Click [BRAdmin Light] icon on [Apps] screen. (Windows Vista / Windows 7) Click [Start] - [All Programs] - [Brother] - [BRAdmin Light] - [BRAdmin Light]. 2 3 4 BRAdmin Light will search for new devices automatically. Double-click the unconfigured device.
Changing your machine’s network settings 4 Choose [STATIC] for the [Boot Method]. Enter the [IP Address], [Subnet Mask] and [Gateway] (if needed) of your print server. 4 5 6 Click [OK]. With a correctly programmed IP address, you will see the Brother print server in the device list.
Changing your machine’s network settings Other Management Utilities 4 Your Brother machine can be used with the following management utilities in addition to the BRAdmin Light utility. You can change your network settings using these utilities. Using the Web Based Management (web browser) 4 A standard web browser can be used to change your print server settings using the HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). (See Configuring the printer settings using Web Based Management (web browser) on page 18.
5 Configuring your machine for a wireless network 5 Overview 5 First, you must configure the wireless network settings of your Brother machine to communicate with your network. The following methods are available for configuring your Brother machine. Configuration using the CD-ROM installer and a USB cable See below. This is the recommended method, you can quickly connect your machine to your wireless network using this method.
Configuring your machine for a wireless network Confirm your network environment 5 Connected to a computer with a WLAN access point/router in the network (Infrastructure mode) 5 5 1 4 5 2 3 1 WLAN access point/router 2 Wireless network printer (your Brother machine) 3 Wireless capable computer connected to the WLAN access point/router 4 Wired computer (which is not wireless capable) connected to the WLAN access point/router with an Ethernet cable 5 Mobile device NOTE Installation method The followi
Configuring your machine for a wireless network Wireless configuration temporarily using a USB cable (Recommended for Windows and Mac users) 5 It is recommended that you use a PC wirelessly connected to your network for this method. You can remotely configure the printer from the computer on the network using a USB cable (A) 1. 5 A 1 You can configure the wireless settings of the printer using a USB cable temporarily connected to a wired or wireless computer.
Configuring your machine for a wireless network Using your Brother machine’s own functions 5 You can select the network type, configure or display the network settings, and so on, using the Menu key. Selecting the Network Type 1 2 3 Press the Menu key, select “WLAN” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key. 4 If some messages are displayed, press the OK or Enter for each message. Select “Network Mode” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key.
Configuring your machine for a wireless network Configuring the Infrastructure Mode Settings 5 The method of configuring the Infrastructure Mode settings is explained below. Configuring using WPS 1 First, confirm that your WLAN access point/router has the WPS symbol. 2 3 4 5 Press the Menu key, select “WLAN” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key. 6 7 Select “Button Push” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key.
Configuring your machine for a wireless network Configuring by entering the PIN code 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5 Press the Menu key, select “WLAN” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key. Select “Network Setting” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key. Select “Infrastructure Mode” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key. Select “PIN Code” using the a or b key and then press the OK or Enter key.
Configuring your machine for a wireless network 7 8 Enter the password (from 8 to 63 characters), and then press the OK or Enter key. 9 When connected, depending on the strength of the wireless signal, the wireless connection indicator will be one of the following symbols: The screen returns to the text entry screen, and blinks while the connection is being established. After 90 seconds, the indicator will change to , but your Brother machine will continue trying to connect to the network.
6 Web Based Management 6 Overview 6 You can use a standard web browser to manage a machine on your network using HTTP. When using Web Based Management, the following are possible: Display your Brother machine status information Change network settings such as TCP/IP information Display software version information of the machine and print server Change network and printer configuration details NOTE We recommend Microsoft ® Internet Explorer ® 7.0 or later or Firefox ® 25.0.
Web Based Management 4 5 Click the Network tab. Modify your machine's settings, if necessary. NOTE If you edited the Hosts file on your computer or are using a Domain Name System, you can also enter the print server's DNS name. The print server supports TCP/IP and NetBIOS, so you can also enter the print server's NetBIOS name. To find the NetBIOS name, click the Network tab and then select Network Status.
Section III Communication Settings Communication Settings (Windows only) III 21
7 Communication Settings (Windows only) 7 With [Communication settings] in the Printer Setting Tool, the printer communication information can be specified or changed when connecting your Brother machine and computer with a USB cable. Not only can you change the communication settings for one printer, but you can also easily apply the same settings to multiple printers. NOTE The [Printer Setting Tool] is installed at the same time as the printer driver and other software.
Communication Settings (Windows only) Settings Dialog Box 7 3 4 5 6 1 2 7 7 8 9 10 1 Disable these settings When this check box is selected, changed. appears in the tab, and the settings can no longer be specified or The settings in a tab where appears will not be applied to the printer even if [Apply] is clicked. In addition, the settings in the tab will not be saved or exported when the [Save in Command File] or [Export] command is executed.
Communication Settings (Windows only) 6 Settings Tabs Click the tab containing the settings to be specified or changed. If appears in the tab, the settings in that tab will not be applied to the printer. 7 Settings Display/Change Area Displays the current settings for the selected item. Change the settings as necessary using the drop-down menus, direct entry or other appropriate methods. 8 Refresh Click to update the displayed settings with the most recent information.
Communication Settings (Windows only) IMPORTANT • If the [Disable these settings] check box is selected, the settings in that tab are not saved. • The following information is not saved with the settings commands. • Node name. • IP address, subnet mask and default gateway (when the IP address is set to [STATIC]). • The saved communication settings commands are only intended to be used for applying settings to a printer. The settings cannot be applied by importing this command file.
Communication Settings (Windows only) Export Saves the current settings in a file. IMPORTANT • If the [Disable these settings] check box is selected, the settings in that tab are not saved. • Exported files are not encrypted. Tools menu 7 Option Settings • Automatically restart the printer after applying new settings If this check box is selected, the printer automatically restarts after communication settings are applied. If this check box is cleared, printers must be manually restarted.
Communication Settings (Windows only) General Tab 7 Communication Settings 7 1 7 1 Selected Interface Select [OFF], [Wireless LAN] or [Wireless Direct].
Communication Settings (Windows only) IPv6 7 1 2 7 1 IPv6 Usage Select [Enable] or [Disable]. 2 Priority on IPv6 address Check to give priority to IPv6 addresses.
Communication Settings (Windows only) Wireless LAN Tab 7 TCP/IP (Wireless) 7 1 2 3 7 4 1 Boot Method Select [STATIC], [AUTO], [BOOTP], [DHCP] or [RARP]. 2 IP Address/Subnet Mask/Gateway Specify the various values. You can only enter settings when the IP address is set to [STATIC]. 3 DNS Server Method Select [STATIC] or [AUTO]. 4 Primary DNS Server IP Address/Secondary DNS Server IP Address You can only enter settings when the DNS server is set to [STATIC].
Communication Settings (Windows only) IPv6 7 1 2 3 4 7 1 Static IPv6 Address Specify the value. 2 Enable this address Check to make the specified static IPv6 address effective. 3 Primary DNS Server IPv6 Address/Secondary DNS Server IPv6 Address Specify the values. 4 IPv6 Address List Displays the list of IPv6 addresses.
Communication Settings (Windows only) Wireless Settings 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 1 Communication Mode Select [Ad-hoc] or [Infrastructure]. NOTE Not all computers, mobile devices, and operating systems, may support Ad-hoc mode. 2 SSID (Network Name) Click the [Search] button to display the SSID selections in a separate dialog box. 3 Channel Select from the displayed options.
Communication Settings (Windows only) Communication Modes and Authentication Methods/Encryption Modes 7 When [Communication Mode] is set to [Ad-hoc] Authentication Method Encryption Mode Open System None / WEP When [Communication Mode] is set to [Infrastructure] Authentication Method Encryption Mode Open System None / WEP Shared Key WEP WPA2-PSK AES WPA/WPA2-PSK TKIP+AES/AES LEAP CKIP EAP-FAST/NONE TKIP / AES EAP-FAST/MS-CHAPv2 TKIP / AES EAP-FAST/GTC TKIP / AES PEAP/MS-CHAPv2
Communication Settings (Windows only) Wireless Direct Tab 7 Wireless Direct Settings 7 1 7 1 SSID (Network Name)/Network Key Enter the SSID (25 ASCII characters or less) and the network key (63 characters or less) to be used in the Wireless Direct mode. You can only specify a setting when [STATIC] is selected as [SSID/Network Key Generation].
Communication Settings (Windows only) 3 Click the [Apply] button. The same settings that were applied to the first printer are applied to the second printer. NOTE If the [Automatically restart the printer after applying new settings] check box is cleared, the printers will not be restarted after the settings are changed, reducing the time required to configure the printers.
Section IV Appendix Troubleshooting Protocols Glossary IV 35 39 40
8 Troubleshooting 8 Overview 8 This section explains how to resolve typical network problems you may encounter when using the Brother machine. If, after reading this chapter, you are unable to resolve your problem, visit the Brother support website at support.brother.com. For details, go to the Brother support website at (support.brother.com) and click [Manuals] on your model page to download other manuals.
Troubleshooting I cannot complete the Wi-Fi settings network setup configuration. Question Are you using security software? Solution Confirm your settings in the installer dialog box. Allow access when the security software alert message appears during the printer installation. Are your security settings (SSID/Network Key) correct? Reconfirm and choose the correct security settings.
Troubleshooting Your Brother machine cannot print over the network. Your Brother machine is not found on the network even after successful installation. Question Solution Are you using security software? See I’m using security software. on page 37. Is your Brother machine assigned with an available IP address? Confirm the IP address and the Subnet Mask. Verify that both the IP addresses and Subnet Masks of your computer and your Brother machine are correct and located on the same network.
Troubleshooting I want to make sure that my network devices are working correctly. Question Solution Are your Brother machine, access point/router or network hub turned on? Make sure you have confirmed all instructions in Make sure you have first checked the following: on page 35. Where can I find my Brother Check [Communication settings] in the [Printer Setting Tool]. machine’s network settings, such See Communication Settings (Windows only) on page 21.
9 Protocols 9 Supported protocols and security features Interface Wireless 9 IEEE 802.11b/g/n (Infrastructure Mode) IEEE 802.
10 Glossary 10 Protocols 10 The supported protocols differ depending on the model you are using. TCP/IP protocols and functions 10 Protocols are the standardized sets of rules for transmitting data on a network. Protocols allow users to gain access to network connected resources. The print server used on the Brother printer supports the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) protocol. TCP/IP is the most popular set of protocols used for communication such as Internet and E-mail.
Glossary NetBIOS name resolution 10 Network Basic Input/Output System name resolution enables you to obtain the IP address of the other device using its NetBIOS name during the network connection. WINS 10 Windows Internet Name Service is a service providing information for NetBIOS name resolution, by consolidating an IP address and a NetBIOS name that is on the local network. LPR/LPD 10 Commonly used printing protocols on a TCP/IP network.
Glossary Configuring your Brother machine for a network 10 IP addresses, subnet masks and gateways 10 To use the machine in a networked TCP/IP environment, you need to configure its IP address and subnet mask. The IP address you assign to the print server must be on the same logical network as your host computers. If it is not, you must correctly configure the subnet mask and the gateway address. IP address 10 An IP address is a series of numbers that identifies each device connected to a network.
Glossary Subnet mask 10 Subnet masks restrict network communication. For example, Computer 1 can talk to Computer 2 • Computer 1 IP Address: 192.168.1.2 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 • Computer 2 IP Address: 192.168.1.3 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 The 0 in the Subnet mask signifies that there is no limit to communication at this part of the address. In the above example, this means, we can communicate with any device with an IP address that begins with 192.168.1.x. (where x is a number between 0 and 254).
Glossary Wireless network terms and concepts 10 Specifying your network 10 SSID (Service Set Identifier) and channels 10 You need to configure the SSID and a channel to specify the wireless network you want to connect to. SSID Each wireless network has its own unique network name which is technically referred to as an SSID (Service Set Identifier). The SSID is a 32-byte or less value and is assigned to the access point.
Glossary Authentication and Encryption methods for a personal wireless network 10 A personal wireless network is a small network, for example using your machine in a wireless network at home, without IEEE 802.1x support. If you want to use your machine in an IEEE 802.1x supported wireless network, see Authentication and Encryption methods for an enterprise wireless network on page 47. Authentication methods 10 Open system Wireless devices are allowed to access the network without any authentication.
Glossary Network key 10 Open system/Shared key with WEP This key is a 64-bit or 128-bit value that must be entered in an ASCII or hexadecimal format. • 64 (40) bit ASCII: Uses 5 text characters. e.g. “WSLAN” (this is case sensitive) • 64 (40) bit hexadecimal: Uses 10 digits of hexadecimal data. e.g. “71f2234aba” • 128 (104) bit ASCII: Uses 13 text characters. e.g. “Wirelesscomms” (this is case sensitive) • 128 (104) bit hexadecimal: Uses 26 digits of hexadecimal data. e.g.
Glossary Authentication and Encryption methods for an enterprise wireless network 10 An enterprise wireless network is a large network, for example using your machine in a business enterprise wireless network with IEEE 802.1x support. If you configure your machine in an IEEE 802.
Glossary Encryption methods 10 TKIP TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) provides a per-packet key mixing a message integrity check and rekeying mechanism. AES Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) provides stronger data protection by using a symmetric-key encryption. CKIP The original Key Integrity Protocol for LEAP by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Glossary User ID and password 10 The following security methods support a user ID less than 64 characters and a password less than 32 characters in length. LEAP EAP-FAST PEAP EAP-TTLS EAP-TLS (For user ID) Wireless Direct network terms 10 Device Information 10 Device Name 10 You can check the device name of the Brother machine in the Wireless Direct network environment. The device name will be shown as PT-xxxx (where xxxx is your model name).
Glossary Other ways to set the IP address (for advanced users and administrators) 10 Using DHCP to configure the IP address 10 The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is one of several automated mechanisms for IP address allocation. If you have a DHCP server on your network, the print server will automatically obtain its IP address from the DHCP server and register its name with any RFC 1001 and 1002-compliant dynamic name services.
Glossary Using BOOTP to configure the IP address 10 BOOTP is an alternative to RARP that has the advantage of allowing configuration of the subnet mask and gateway. In order to use BOOTP to configure the IP address make sure that BOOTP is installed and running on your host computer (it should appear in the /etc/services file on your host as a real service; type man bootpd or see your system documentation for information). BOOTP is usually started up via the /etc/inetd.
Glossary Using ARP to configure the IP address 10 If you are unable to use the BRAdmin application and your network does not use a DHCP server, you can use the ARP command instead. The ARP command is available on Windows systems that have TCP/IP installed. To use ARP enter the following command at the command prompt: arp -s ipaddress ethernetaddress ping ipaddress Where ethernetaddress is the MAC Address (Ethernet Address) of the print server and ipaddress is the IP address of the print server.
