ad-hoc wireless

[cybertaz]

I'm looking into setting up a wireless network. I was wondering what exactly the ad-hoc mode is for the wireless nics. does this mean that i can just put the nics in my two computers and have a wireless network? or do I still need a router?

thanks

[jatkins679]

Originally posted by cybertaz
I'm looking into setting up a wireless network. I was wondering what exactly the ad-hoc mode is for the wireless nics. does this mean that i can just put the nics in my two computers and have a wireless network? or do I still need a router?


That's a very good basic question. Ad hoc mode of wireless networking means that all nodes on the network communicate direct with each other. There is no centralized server that intermediates communication, no AP through which all WLAN communication tranverses.

So all you need for an ad hoc network is a WLAN card (PCI or USB) for each machine you want on the network and that's it for hardware. You don't need a separate, free standing AP.

After you install your wireless NICs, all you need to do is configure the WLAN software on each machine so they are in ad hoc mode (not infrastructure mode, which requires an AP) and all your settings are identical. Turn off encryption or any other security measures until you get connectivity and your WLAN is up and running, then go about making all your more complicated settings for things like security and all.

One caveat, though: ad hoc networks are about as insecure as a wireless network can get. If you're just horsing around with a couple of junk computers, I would strongly suggest that you not run an ad hoc network between computers. Hacking into one takes almost no effort in most cases and when that happens, all the computers on your network are exposed.

[cybertaz]

Thanks.

I'm just running two home PCs. Nothing special. The range would be about 100 ft or so, right? I just want it so that I can share files (mp3, etc.) with my wife's computer. Also ICS with USB dsl modem (ISP won't give me an ethernet modem).

[jatkins679]

Originally posted by cybertaz
Thanks.

I'm just running two home PCs. Nothing special. The range would be about 100 ft or so, right? I just want it so that I can share files (mp3, etc.) with my wife's computer. Also ICS with USB dsl modem (ISP won't give me an ethernet modem).

No problem....

Range depends on a lot of variables, distance being just one of them. What's in between the two nodes also counts, as well as antenna orientation, and so forth. You'll just have to try things out and see how well your connection runs.

[cybertaz]

Thanks for your help Jatkins. Very much appreciated.

[jatkins679]

No problem. Let us know how things work out (especially if you end up with some interesting details or solutions to problems).

[cybertaz]

I will. It won't be for a while. probably a couple of weeks.