Wireless Networking Without a Router

If you’ve looked at network components lately, you might have noticed that while wireless network adapters are cheap, wireless routers aren‘t. Thankfully, wireless networking technology can connect up to dozens of computers together in an ad-hoc network, without the hassle of cabling or the cost of a router.

This type of network functions just like a wired “mesh,” where every computer is directly connected to every other computer. In an ad hoc network, computers connect wirelessly and automatically, providing the benefits of file, printer, and Internet sharing without a router.

Once you’ve installed your network cards, go to your Network Connections (found in the Control Panel) and open your wireless connection‘s properties. Select the Wireless Networks tab and, if no wireless networks exist, click Add and name your new connection. When checking wireless networks on other computers, the connection you’ve created should show up with a card icon next to it. If it’s not at the top of the Preferred Networks list, move the connection up the list.

With Windows XP, folders and printers can be shared easily through your ad hoc network, but a major reason users network their computers is to share an Internet connection. With a computer already connected to the Internet, this is easy as well.

Make sure the computer with an Internet connection is on the ad hoc network, go to the wired Internet connection’s Advanced tab and check “Allow other computers to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.” Restart the other computers and they should all have Internet access.

Enabling the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) is a good idea for ease and simplicity. Non-Microsoft firewalls might not like other computers using your Internet connection, and additional configuration might be needed.