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Configure Wi-Fi connectivity settings for Zebra Printer
Internet connectivity enables devices to communicate, share information, and work together more efficiently. As everyday electronic devices become part of the Internet of Things, network access plays a key role in keeping them functional and connected.
Wi-Fi is one of the most common ways these devices stay online. It offers a straightforward method for devices to join a network without physical cabling.
With the Wi-Fi policy in Hexnode, Zebra printers can automatically connect to the required wireless networks without the need for manual configuration. This ensures that the printer stays connected and able to communicate reliably, allowing organizations to truly leverage the convenience of wireless printing.
Wi-Fi Settings
The Wi-Fi configuration screen includes the basic parameters required for a Zebra printer to identify and connect to a wireless network. These settings determine how the device discovers the network, the type of communication it uses, and the security method applied during authentication.
To configure the Wi-Fi settings for Zebra Printers,
- Log in to your Hexnode portal.
- Go to Policies.
- Select Device Policies and click New Policy.
- Choose New Policy. You can also choose to update an existing template.
- Select Zebra Printer as the platform and click Next.
- Select Enterprise as the policy type and click Next.
- Under Network Settings, choose Wi-Fi and click Configure.
- The following settings are available to configure,
Service Set Identifier
The Service Set Identifier (SSID) represents the name of the Wi-Fi network that the printer should connect to.
Network Type
This determines the operational mode of the wireless network the printer will join.
- Infrastructure: Used when connecting to a standard Wi-Fi network through an access point or router. This is the common mode for enterprise and office networks.
- Ad-hoc: Used when devices communicate directly with each other without an access point. This mode is less common in managed environments and is typically used for temporary or peer-to-peer setups.
Security Type
This specifies the authentication and encryption method used by the Wi-Fi network. The selected option defines the type of credentials required and influences the additional settings that appear next.
Available options include:
- WEP 40-bit
- WEP 128-bit
- WPA/WPA2 Enterprise
- WPA/WPA2 PSK
- WPA/WPA2 SAE
Protocols
The Protocols section appears when the selected Security Type is WEP 40 bit, WEP 128 bit or WPA/WPA2 Enterprise. These security methods can require additional authentication through Extensible Authentication Protocols (EAP).
Accepted EAP Types
The Accepted EAP Types setting allows you to specify which authentication methods the Zebra printer is allowed to use when connecting to the wireless network.
You can select one or more EAP types from the list below. The printer uses these protocols during the authentication phase based on what the network requires.
| Protocol | Authentication Type | Key Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| TLS (Transport Layer Security) | Certificate-Based | Relies on digital certificates for verification on both the client and the server. |
| TTLS (Tunneled Transport Layer Security) | Tunnel + Password/Token | Establishes a secure tunnel using a server certificate, then authenticates the client using passwords or tokens inside the tunnel. |
| FAST (Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling) | Tunnel + PAC (Protected Access Credential) | Uses a secure tunnel (similar to TTLS) but relies on a Protected Access Credential (PAC) for fast, repeated authentications. |
| PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) | Tunnel + Password | Creates an encrypted tunnel using a server certificate, then authenticates the client using a simple username and password inside the tunnel. |
| LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol) | Password-Based | Uses simple password-based authentication. |
Authentication
The Authentication section changes dynamically based on the selected Security Type and EAP method. The following table summarizes the fields displayed for each combination and explains the purpose of each field.
| Field | Description | Shown For EAP Types | Shown Under Security Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Username | Represents the device identity used during authentication. Depending on the EAP type, it may be used as inner or outer identity. |
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| Password | Used for password based authentication. In PSK and SAE networks, this represents the Wi Fi passphrase or SAE password. |
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| Private key password | Protects the private key associated with a client certificate. Used in protocols where client side credentials are part of authentication. |
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| Certificate | Represents the server or client certificate required for identity validation or tunnel establishment. |
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| Inner tunnel | Indicates the inner authentication method used after the secure tunnel is created. | TTLS |
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| Anonymous identity | Used as the outer identity before the secure tunnel is established. Protects the actual username. | PEAP |
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Advanced
The Advanced section provides additional network configuration options that help Zebra printers adapt to specific operational or regional requirements. These settings influence how the printer manages wireless behavior, obtains IP configuration, and interacts with networks that rely on addressing protocols.
Power Saving Mode
Power Saving Mode helps supported Zebra printers reduce their wireless power consumption. When enabled, the printer adjusts its Wi-Fi activity to conserve battery life while maintaining reliable network access.
International Mode
International Mode allows the printer to use the wireless channel settings broadcast by the access point. This is helpful when connecting to access points operating under region specific regulations such as European channel sets.
IP Addressing
This setting determines how the Zebra printer obtains its network addressing information. The available options include:
- All: The printer may use any available addressing method.
- DHCP: The printer receives its IP address and related parameters automatically from a DHCP server.
- Static: The printer uses manually assigned IP information.
- Advanced: Provides access to extended addressing methods.
Advanced IP addressing methods
When Advanced is selected under IP Addressing, the printer displays additional IP assignment options. The available methods are:
- BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol)
An IP assignment protocol where the printer sends a request to a BOOTP server, which then provides the IP address and network parameters.
- Gleaning (Address Gleaning)
A method where the printer observes broadcast traffic on the network to learn its IP address.
- RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol)
A protocol in which the printer sends a request containing its MAC address, and a RARP server responds with the corresponding IP address.
- BOOTP and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
DHCP is a protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and configuration details using a DHCP server. When combined with BOOTP, the printer attempts BOOTP first and falls back to DHCP if needed.
Each method determines which configuration fields appear. The following fields populate dynamically based on the selected option.
| Field | Description | Shown For |
|---|---|---|
| Subnet mask | Defines the subnet boundary for routing traffic within the local network. |
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| Default gateway | Specifies the gateway used to forward traffic outside the local network. |
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| DNS domain name* | Represents the DNS domain associated with the network. Mandatory field. |
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| DNS server list* | Lists the DNS servers used for domain resolution. Mandatory field. |
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| Use client Ids | Enables customized client identifiers during BOOTP or DHCP communication. | BOOTP and DHCP |
| Type of ID | Determines the format of the client identifier. Options include MAC address, ASCII and HEX. | BOOTP and DHCP |
| Prefix | A custom prefix applied when ASCII or HEX is selected as the identifier type. | BOOTP and DHCP (ASCII or HEX only) |
| Suffix* | A mandatory suffix used to complete the client identifier for ASCII or HEX formats. | BOOTP and DHCP (ASCII or HEX only) |
Fields marked with * are mandatory.
Associating Wi-Fi configuration to the Zebra Printers
If you haven’t saved the policy yet, to associate the policy with the device,
- Head on to Policy Targets tab.
- Click on + Add Devices.
- Select the devices and click OK.
- Click on Save.
Not only devices, but you can also associate any policies with the device groups, users, user groups, or domains from the left pane under Policy Targets.
There’s another method for the policies created already to get associated with the device.
- From Policies, choose the required policy.
- Under Policy Management, click on Manage.
- Select Associate Targets and choose the devices.
- Click on Associate.
