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Peer 2 Peer Wireless Connection ( Ad Hoc ) How To

What is Ad Hoc ????

On wireless computer networks, ad-hoc mode is a method for wireless devices to directly communicate with each other. Operating in ad-hoc mode allows all wireless devices within range of each other to discover and communicate in peer-to-peer fashion without involving central access points (including those built in to broadband wireless routers).

To set up an ad-hoc wireless network, each wireless adapter must be configured for ad-hoc mode versus the alternative infrastructure mode. In addition, all wireless adapters on the ad-hoc network must use the same SSID and the same channel number.

An ad-hoc network tends to feature a small group of devices all in very close proximity to each other. Performance suffers as the number of devices grows, and a large ad-hoc network quickly becomes difficult to manage. Ad-hoc networks cannot bridge to wired LANs or to the Internet without installing a special-purpose gateway.

Ad hoc networks make sense when needing to build a small, all-wireless LAN quickly and spend the minimum amount of money on equipment. Ad hoc networks also work well as a temporary fallback mechanism if normally-available infrastructure mode gear (access points or routers) stop functioning.

How to setup Ad Hoc on Windows XP ????

To create a new ad hoc network open Control Panel then Network Connections, or double click on the wireless icon in the system tray (by the clock).

Click on the Wireless Network tab then the add button.

A new window will appear.  Give your network a name, and check the two boxes near the bottom.

Click OK to close that window and OK again.  If you try to View Wireless Networks, your changes may not be saved, so make sure to click OK first.

Your ad hoc network is all set up now!

How to connect to the network ????

From the client computer open Network Connections (via Control Panel or the wireless icon) and select View Wireless Networks.  The following window will appear.

You should see the ad hoc network as a computer-to-computer network.  You may have to refresh the list.
Click on the network then the Connect button near the bottom.  It may take a minute or two to aquire a network address.

If you don't see your network, you may have to change settings to only connect to ad hoc networks.
Click on Change advanced settings.  On the new window, click on the Wireless Networks tab, then advanced.

Select the third radio button and click Close, then OK.
Open Network Connections again, and follow the steps above to connect to the network.

Good Luck.

PS: Windows Firewall sometimes causing some trouble, mind to check your firewall setting to allow the new network access or just simply disable it.