This article only applies when you have the option WiFi interface installed in your BOCA printer.


To use the wireless capabilities of a printer equipped with the optional 802.11b/g/n wireless interface (Wi-Fi/WLAN), it will first be necessary to setup the printer with information and security settings that match the settings of the IEEE 802.11b/g/n compatible wireless server/router you are connecting to. Older printers supported IEEE 802.11b/g and printers build prior to May-2014 are able to support only IEEE 802.11b compatible wireless server/router.

Our Wi-Fi printer is designed to work with a wireless router.


To initially configure the wireless settings it will be necessary to connect to the printer via the Parallel, Serial, USB or Ethernet (optional) interface using a Windows or MAC based system. This may be done using our Configure and Test program (11.8.0 or newer) for Windows or Customer program for MAC. To configure the printer with the correct security settings, it is necessary to acquire these settings directly from the wireless server/router or see your network administrator. We recommend that the Wi-Fi be configured by either your system administrator or IT support staff.

NOTE: Both the Serial and Ethernet interface will be disabled once the Wi-Fi interface is active.


The below steps walk you through the Wi-Fi setup in the Infrastructure mode. The Wi-Fi router must be configured to support an IEEE 802.11n Wi-Fi device. 

Notes: 

  • Older printers supported IEEE 802.11b/g and printers build prior to May-2014 are able to support only IEEE 802.11b compatible wireless server/router
  • The printer’s WiFi interface only supports channels 1 to 11 at 2.4GHz.
  • supports security settings WEP/WPA/WPA-2


  1. The printer will need to be connected to the host computer via a cable (parallel, serial, USB or optional Ethernet if your printer has it.) For initial install the printer must be as close as possible to the Wi-Fi router itself. This will ensure maximum single strength. Once you have confirmed the Wi-Fi is operational, the printer may be moved to its desired location.

  2. You will want to confirm you are able to print a ticket using our Configure and Test program for Windows or Customer program for MAC. The printing of a ticket via this program will confirm it is communicating with the printer.

  3. Click on the Setup Wi-Fi button.

  4. When the Configure Printer Wi-Fi and Security menu comes up you have a few choices.
    Disable Wireless – You would choose this if you wanted to disable the Wi-Fi
    Enable with Static IP – This would be for networks that require a static IP address.
    Enable with DHCP IP - Automatically attempts to get an IP address from Local Server (this is the most common one and the one we will be using for the rest of the steps).

  5. You will need to enter the SSID value. The Service Set Identifier is a 1 to 32 byte string. This normally would be the name of the Wi-Fi router you are connection to.

  6. Security Mode: you will need to choose the security mode that is appropriate for your WiFi router.

    Disable – Allows the user to communicate through the wireless network without any security encryption

    involved.

    WPA – Go to Step 7

    WPA2 – Go to Step 7

    WEP – Go to Step 8

  7. WPA and WPA2 Personal Security Mode – Allows the user to communicate through the network using WPA or WPA2 Personal wireless encryption. When this security encryption mode is chosen it will be required to enter the “WPA Shared Key” for the local wireless network. Some networks also enforce the use of an optional key value. The optional prompt field is provided for those networks. Finally click on OK to have these values transmitted to the printer (through the cable). The printer will reset and upon initialization it will establish wireless communication with the local network. The handshaking involved in establishing wireless communication can take up to 30 seconds. Go to step #9.

  8. WEP Security Mode – Allows the user to communicate through the network using WEP wireless encryption. With WEP one can select 64 bit or 128 bit encryption. When the security encryption mode is chosen it will be required to enter the “Pass Phrase” for the local wireless network. Some networks also enforce the use of a default transmit key. If needed select one, else leave it set to “1”. Next the four security key values will have to be entered to match those of the local network. Finally click on OK to have these values transmitted to the printer (through the cable). The printer will reset and upon initialization it will establish wireless communication with the local network. The handshaking involved in establishing wireless communication can take up to 30 seconds. Go to step #9.


  9. The printer will reset. Depending on your operating system, this rest may happen less than 60 seconds or as long as 5 minutes. Upon re-initialization it will establish wireless communication with the local network. Depending on your network, a connection can be established in less than 60 seconds or as long as 5 minutes. Messages will be displayed on the LCD display when the printer is connecting. When it is connected the display will show a series of up to 5 pound signs (#####) representing signal strength. (see image below).
    If it fails and displays IDLE then there is a problem. Confirm the SSID, Security Mode and Security Key(s)are correct.

  10. Press the TEST button to print out a self-test ticket. This ticket will show the IP address that was acquired by the printer. You may use the configuration and test program to test this interface connection. You would run the program like you are connecting to an Ethernet printer and enter in the IP address that is shown on the self-test ticket.


Disable WiFi

If your printer has an optional Ethernet port then this port will be disable while the printer is in Wi-Fi mode. The printer is not able to run both Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time. If you need to go back to using the Ethernet port then the Wi-Fi needs to be disable. This may be done by repeating the above procedure but at step # 4 choosing Disable Wireless.


Troubleshooting


Wi-Fi will not connect: 

  1. For printer build prior to May 2014, make sure you are connecting to Wi-Fi router that supports 802.11b devices. The router also needs to support 1 and 2 MBps data rates.

  2. Older printers supported IEEE 802.11b/g, make sure you are connecting to Wi-Fi router that supports 802.11g devices.

  3. The printer’s WiFi interface only supports channels 1 to 11 at 2.4GHz.

  4. On initial setup have the printer as close as possible to the Wi-Fi router.

  5. Check to make sure you have the correct security values for the Wi-Fi router you are trying to connect to.

  6. If you have multiple routers change the channel setting to 1, 6 or 11. Multiple routers using the same channel will cause connection and drop single issues.