Set up an Ad-hoc Network

Are you one of those people who does not want to invest in a Wifi router unnecessarily just for the luxury of being able to carry the laptop around the house? Do you have a desktop and a laptop and would like to have a Wifi network to connect to? Are you a fellow gamer, who would like to play a round of Counter Strike without the need for cables or an already existing wi-fi network?

Well, rest assured, you have come to the right place.

This guide will teach you how to go about creating an ad-hoc wifi network using Windows Vista. Such a network can be utilized for file sharing, internet connection sharing, multiplayer gaming etc.

Steps to Create the Ad-Hoc Network

1.) Open the “Network and Sharing Center” from the Control Panel. Alternatively right click on the Network icon in the System Tray and open it.



2.) Click on “Setup a Connection or Network”

Select “Setup a Wireless Ad Hoc (Computer to Computer) Network.

3.) The following screen explains what an Ad Hoc Wireless Network is. It provides some information about the network. Read (if interested) and then click on “Next”



4.) Choose a suitable name for the network. (And make sure its a name which you will easily recognize)

Choose a security type. I normally leave it on WPA2-Personal which is considered an advanced version of WEP. Although there is an option to use “No Authentication (Open)”, an Unsecured Wi-Fi Network is an invitation for trouble and should be avoided if possible. (Ideally, the only occasion where it should be utilized if authentication cannot be performed for some unknown reason and a network is absolutely essential.)



5.) Choose a suitable password. Again, ensure that your password is a strong one and avoid obvious choices. There are too many instances of people utilizing an unsuspecting person’s wi-fi network to commit cyber crimes on the internet without leaving a digital trail.

6.) Click on “Display Characters” (to verify password) and “Save Network” (So that the computer retains these settings)

7.) Finally, click on “Turn on Internet Connection Sharing” if you would like to have that option.



Connecting to the Ad-Hoc Network

Connecting to the Ad-Hoc network is very simple, and the process is almost identical to connecting to any wi-fi network.

Once the target computers are in the range of the network (within 30 feet), the network would be visible.

1.Open Network and Sharing Center,
2.Click on Connect to a Network,
3.Obtain list of Available Networks,
4.Select the above created Adhoc Network,
5.Enter the security code, and finally
6.Save the Network for future use.

~Deepak Kannan

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