How To Set Up An AD HOC Network (Computer To Computer Network)

An ad hoc network is a temporary connection between computers and devices used for a specific purpose, such as sharing documents during a meeting or playing multiple-player computer games. You can also temporarily share an internet connection with other people on your ad hoc network, so those people don’t have to set up their own internet connections. Ad hoc networks can only be wireless, so you must have a wireless network adapter installed in your computer to set up or join an ad hoc network.

STEP 1: HOW TO CREATE AN AD HOC NETWORK

The steps bellow shows how to create a new ad hoc network:

i. First, open the Network and Sharing Center. Click on 'Set up a new connection or network'.

The 'Set Up a Connection or Network' wizard will now start. With it, you can configure all types of connections, from a normal network to a VPN connection to your company network or an ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network. From the list of choices, select 'Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network', and click Next.

ii. You will see a new window which describes the things you can do on a wireless ad hoc network. Read the contents of the window and click Next.

iii. Now it is time to set up the network. First, type the network name and then select the security type you want to use. For more security, I recommend you choose WPA2-Personal. It provides better encryption and it is much harder to crack than WEP. Then, type the password you want to use and, in case you want to use this network on other occasions, check the box that says 'Save this network'. When done, click Next.

iv. The wizard will now create the network. This activity should take no more than a few seconds

v. When finished, you will receive a notification that the network has been created and it is ready to use. Make sure you don't forget the password and then click on Close.

vi. Your laptop will now broadcast this newly created network and it will wait for other computers to connect.

STEP 2: CONNECTING OTHER COMPUTERS TO THE NETWORK

i. Now it is time to connect other computers to this network. On the client computer, click the network icon from the notification area and you will see the list of available networks. Select the ad hoc network which you just created and click on Connect.

ii. You will be asked to type the password. When done, click on OK.

iii. Windows 7 will now take a few seconds to connect to the network.

STEP 3: SHARING FILES AND FOLDERS ON THE NETWORK.

After a client is connected, it will spend a few seconds identifying the network. When this happens, the Network and Sharing Center will look similar to the screenshot below.

After the network is identified, Windows 7 will assign to it the public network profile, Which means that only the Public Folder is shared. Copy all the files you want to share with your clients to the public folder on your PC for your clients to access them on their PC.

We appreciate you reading to the end, please use the comment box for any questions or problems encountered during this tutorial.