How to set up a direct Wi-Fi connection in Windows XP? (Page 1
of 6)
Overview
Wi-Fi or wireless fidelity refers to a wireless LAN technology
that is developed based on IEEE 802.11a/b/g or the recently
ratified IEEE 802.11n. Wi-Fi is commonly
used in a star configuration with a wireless access point or
wireless router as a central connection point that connects all
computers (palmtop, laptop, desktop) or other Wi-Fi enabled devices together, connects the
wireless network to a wired network, and connects the wireless
network to the Internet. A wireless network that connects via a
wireless access point or a wireless router works in infrastructure
mode.
On the other hand, a wireless network in which computers link
directly to one another without an access point works in ad hoc
mode. A Wi-Fi ad hoc network typically consists of two Wi-Fi-enabled computers. However,
some Wi-Fi network adapters allow more than two computers to be connected in
an ad hoc network.
A Wi-Fi ad hoc network functions just like Wi-Fi network in
infrastructure mode. It can be used to share files, folders,
drives, printer, etc. It can also be used for sharing an Internet
connection or play a networked game.
What should I prepare?
1. Check your Wi-Fi network adapter standards: 802.11a adapter can
only work with another 802.11a adapter, while 802.11b adapter is
compatible with 802.11g adapter and 802.11n is backward compatible
with all previous versions. When connecting two computers with
different adapter version, the connection speed will fall to the
slowest of both.
2. If your computer uses an external Wi-Fi adapter (USB dongle or
PC Card), plug or insert the adapter into each computer. Before
you plug or insert a new adapter/dongle for the first time, you'll
have to install your
wireless network adapter driver, usually came in a CD or stored in
the dongle (since today USB dongle also functions as a flash
drive). If
your computer has a built-in Wi-Fi radio, you must activate it by
switching an on/off button or via the software utility that came
with it.
3. Depending on whether you'll connect at a private room or in a
public space and the confidentiality of your communication,
determine a suitable encryption scheme: no encryption at all (not
recommended), WEP,
WPA, or WPA2. Both network
adapters must support the same encryption system and be configured
with the same encryption key accordingly for this ad hoc
connection.
4. Place your computers within range of the wireless signal.
Typically, less than 50 meters indoor. Check your network adapter
documentation to find your wireless adapter coverage or view the
signal strength of a detected wireless signal during setup.
5. For maximum transmission, avoid placing your computers near
metal barriers or other possible sources of interference (e.g.
cordless phone, microwave oven, active Bluetooth devices).
6. You must make sure that both wireless network adapters support
ad hoc (peer-to-peer) networking and Windows XP's Wireless Zero
Configuration (WZC) service. If WZC is not allowed on your
adapters, you can't do the step-by-step instructions in the
following pages. But you have to use the utility (software) that
came with your adapters to create an ad-hoc network.
7. To allow file/folder/drive and printer sharing, you must allow
file/printer sharing in Windows Firewall or open the relevant
ports in other firewall software. Also name
each computer with a unique name and give both the same workgroup
name. To do this, right-click on My Computer icon,
click Properties to open System Properties. On Computer name tab,
click Change. You will be asked to restart your computer after
making the change.
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