Pushing WPS without any phisical button on device

[Fionn]

Hi
I have some devices (printers) where the only option to connect them to the network is via WPS Example Epson XP-245
I have the following AP:
ubus call system board

{
	"kernel": "6.6.73",
	"hostname": "1",
	"system": "ARMv7 Processor rev 0 (v7l)",
	"model": "Fortinet FAP-421E",
	"board_name": "fortinet,fap-421e",
	"rootfs_type": "squashfs",
	"release": {
		"distribution": "OpenWrt",
		"version": "24.10.0",
		"revision": "r28427-6df0e3d02a",
		"target": "ipq806x/generic",
		"description": "OpenWrt 24.10.0 r28427-6df0e3d02a",
		"builddate": "1738624177"
	}
}

But this one has no WPS button and even if it had its extremely difficult to reach out to the device and push it every time its needed. Meaning as example replacing the reset button to act as a WPS button is not an option due to physical barriers.

Is there a way to simulate that the button was pushed so that the printer can connect?

Thanks!

[fosfii]

why dont u just whitelist he macs of printers?

[frollic]

OpenWrt WPS connection step by step

I want to install wpad hostapd-utils according to this post but I have some conflict. opkg install wpad hostapd-utils Installing wpad (2022-01-16-cff80b4f-13.1) to root... Downloading https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/22.03.2/packages/mips_24kc/base/wpad_2022-01-16-cff80b4f-13.1_mips_24kc.ipk Package hostapd-utils (2022-01-16-cff80b4f-13.1) installed in root is up to date. Collected errors: * check_data_file_clashes: Package wpad wants to install file /usr/sbin/hostapd But that file is a…

Ap without physical wps button on (connecting printer)

Hi all, recently I procured a mini PC and a wireless access point from Alibaba, and got openwrt installed to the PC and I connected one network port to this AP. The problem is, I have a wireless printer but this wireless access point without a wps button. Can I setup my printer through the access point connection? If yes, how to setup? I try to do that but no clue on the configuration

[Fionn]

Found those as well thank you. Unfortunately those do not work somehow.

`opkg remove wpad-basic wpad-basic-wolfssl`
No packages removed.

opkg install wpad hostapd-utils
Installing wpad (2024.09.15~5ace39b0-r2) to root...
Downloading https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/24.10.0/packages/arm_cortex-a15_neon-vfpv4/base/wpad_2024.09.15~5ace39b0-r2_arm_cortex-a15_neon-vfpv4.ipk
Package hostapd-utils (2024.09.15~5ace39b0-r2) installed in root is up to date.
Collected errors:
 * check_data_file_clashes: Package wpad wants to install file /usr/sbin/hostapd
	But that file is already provided by package  * wpad-basic-mbedtls
 * check_data_file_clashes: Package wpad wants to install file /usr/sbin/wpa_supplicant
	But that file is already provided by package  * wpad-basic-mbedtls
 * check_data_file_clashes: Package wpad wants to install file /usr/sbin/wpad
	But that file is already provided by package  * wpad-basic-mbedtls
 * check_data_file_clashes: Package wpad wants to install file /usr/share/hostap/hostapd.uc
	But that file is already provided by package  * wpad-basic-mbedtls
 * check_data_file_clashes: Package wpad wants to install file /usr/share/hostap/wpa_supplicant.uc
	But that file is already provided by package  * wpad-basic-mbedtls
 * opkg_install_cmd: Cannot install package wpad.

hostapd_cli -i wlan1 wps_get_status
Failed to connect to hostapd - wpa_ctrl_open: No such file or directory

And so on. Error on error.

[RuralRoots]

@Fionn

`opkg remove wpad-basic wpad-basic-wolfssl`
No packages removed.

Default was changed recently to mbedtls

Try: opkg update
opkg remove wpad-basic wpad-basic-mbedtls wpad-basic-openssl wpad-basic-wolfssl
opkg install wpad hostapd-utils

[Fionn]

Thanks, that helped a lot, however it introduced a different set of issues (as fap-421e is basically a piece of junk - god I hate fortinet devices truly) so I had to revert to the old status quo.
I ended up digging up my old fritzbox adding it to the local network as repeater, pressing the WPS button setting up the devices, and removing the fritzbox again.

[bluewavenet]

@Fionn

But this one has no WPS button

That is for a reason - WPS is a security hazard.
In addition, the Epson XP-245 was discontinued many years ago, so you may be in a diminishing returns scenario.

Maybe time to consider a new printer?

Alternatively, if you have an old router with a usb port stashed in a drawer somewhere, you might be able to configure it with OpenWrt and make it a print server (p910nd package) for your Epson... Just a thought.

[Fionn]

Security hazard or not this is what there is and we have to live with.
Maybe not Actually there is 0 reason to replace a working device as throwing away for being old is not the way to go. Even if it was discontinued - who cares anyway - the support from epson is basically not existent even for new devices.
Good idea with the print server! Unfortunately having a central print server via USB also fails as you would need to run around the house for every scanned sheet.